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Show 4. Disaster procedures: avalanche accidents, missing persons. Notifications, organization of rescue parties, equipment. Sample Safety Plan The following is a condensation of an actual safety plan: Use: A route to a snow survey course, 90 miles by car over low- standard mountain highway; six miles on skis. Previously the snow course had been measured only in April, when avalanche hazard has ordinarily abated. Measuring the snow course during the three midwinter months was now contemplated. Terrain Analysis: The highway follows a canyon with walls averaging over 30 degrees and elevations above the road up to 1,000 feet. Forest cover is insufficient to act as a barrier. The ground is loose in texture, vegetation is sparse, offering poor anchorage for snow. On reconnaissance, 28 avalanches were found across the highway in the last 15 miles. The ski trail from Miles 2- 4 follows an old mining road at the bottom of a canyon. The terrain is similar to that overlooking the highway. On reconnaissance, 15 avalanches were found across the ski trail between Miles 2 and 4. Climate Analysis: The area appears to be in the middle alpine zone with direct action avalanches during storms and delayed action sunslides shortly after storms the principal source of hazard. Spring avalanches are also frequent, often associated with landslides. No systematic weather records were available for study but the area has a long history of avalanche accidents and fatalities during mining days. Hazard Classification: No protective measures available. Highway: Mile 1- 60 minimum hazard; Mile 60- 75 low intermittent hazard; Mile 75- 90 high intermittent hazard. Ski trail: Mile 1- 2 minimum hazard; Mile 2- 4 high intermittent hazard; Mile 4- 6 minimum hazard. Note: Hazard is complicated by the fact that snow courses must be measured on certain fixed dates. Operations Plan: A recommendation that the snow course be abandoned was rejected. The following alternatives were then proposed: 1. Construct an air strip at the snow course. 2. Construct an airstrip in the vicinity of the snow course with a protected cross- country route between. 3. If the snow survey parties continue to travel overland, impose rigid safety standards even at the expense of the schedule. Attempt to locate a safer overland route, particularly for Miles 2- 4 of the ski trail. - 82 - |