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Show In recent years, the Swiss have developed the use of trained dogs to locate people buried in avalanches. The method is highly successful leading, according to reports, to 75 percent survival. The dogs are able to find victims buried as deep as 12 feet and in a fraction of the time required by probing. Avalanche dogs are strongly recommended for alpine ski areas. The Swiss use principally German shepherd dogs and training is reported to be very simple. After being encouraged to find a skier buried in snow for the purpose, the dog quickly gets the idea. Any hardy, powerful and intelligent dog should be satisfactory. THE ALTA SNOW STUDIES ANNEX C. STANDARD SNOW TERMINOLOGY To anyone concerned with snow area supervision, the need for a uniform method of describing snow conditions is obvious. Whatever tfie viewpoint, recreational, practical, research, the observer finds in use a great many descriptive terms whose meanings overlap or vary from one locality to another. The result is confusion, misinformation to the public, and stalemate for the analyst. The purpose of this study is to construct a standard terminology, simplified yet inclusive, so that reports of snow conditions will mean the same thing whatever their purpose and wherever they originate. It is possible to classify and subclassify snow condition in endless detail. For all practical purposes, however, it may be described in quite simple terms. The character of snow depends on three principal factors: 1. The form and size of the snow particles; 2. Moisture content; 3* Age. Although in this study snow crusts are treated as a separate major classification, it is purely for convenience and clarity. Actually their character depends upon the same three factors, but principally upon age, a term which includes all the modifying factors which influence snow after it has fallen. Snow A. New: I. Snow falling or freshly fallen. Dry: Fell at temperatures 5 degrees or more below freezing. If squeezed in the hand it either refuses to pack or disintegrates readily. Little resistance to penetration by ski or snow ring of ski pole. a. Powder; Crystalline and flaky. -56- |