Avalanche hazard evaluation: <<3x3>>-method

The planning of your ski-tour and the judgement of the avalanche risk takes place 

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at home,

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the day before,

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and locally.

The factor to consider are given by  the matrix below.
The tourplan templates refer to these items as well.
 

 

    1.   Weather and snow 
           conditions

    2.   Terrain

    3.   Human factors


1. 
Trip planning

>  Trip with
    alternatives and time   
    schedule

<< Which tour is possible? >>

 
bulletAvalanche bulletin
bulletWeather forecast
bulletAdditional information; from warden etc.

 

 
bulletMap
bulletGuide book
bulletPhotographs
bulletKey passages
bulletMeasure the steepness (map 1:25.000)
bulletAlternatives
bulletTime schedule
 
bulletWho will participate?
bulletGroup size
bulletTechnique and fitness
bulletEquipment
bulletResponsibility

 


2.
  Assessing the local hazard

>  Route selection and  
    alternatives

<< Is anything  unexpected? >>

 
bulletPrecipitation, critical new snow depth 
bulletAlarm signals
bulletWind, wind-driven snow
bulletAir temperature
bulletVisibility
bulletClouds
bulletWeather trend tendency
bulletSnow cover conditions 
 
bulletIs my perception correct?
bulletSteepness
bulletAspect
bulletWhat is above/below?
bulletNear ridge?
bulletTopography/relief
bulletForest

 

 
bulletWho is in my group
bulletCheck of equipment and transceivers
bulletWho else is travelling?
bulletFrequently checking the physical condition of members and the time-schedule


3.
  Assessing specific slopes,
     key passage

>  Trail selection
>  Safety measures, turning back

<< To go or not to go? >>

 
bulletCritical new snow depth
bulletSnow quality
bulletRecent accumulations of wind-driven snow
bulletRadiation, temperature
bulletVisibility
bulletFrequency and extent of previous skiing activity
 
bulletSteepness , shape, location (e.g.  distance to ridge), size of slope 
bulletRock outcrops
bulletElevation and aspect
bulletDanger of fall and of burial
bulletDetour possibilities
 
bulletPhysical and mental fitness
bulletTechnical ability 
bulletGroup size
bulletDiscipline
bulletLeadership

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