Snow Avalanche Hazards and Mitigation in the United States

Snow Avalanche Hazards and Mitigation in the United States
Author: National Research Council
Publisher: National Academies Press
Total Pages: 97
Release: 1990-02-01
Genre: Science
ISBN: 0309043352

The present mortality as a result of snow avalanches exceeds the average mortality caused by earthquakes as well as all other forms of slope failure combined. Snow avalanches can range from small amounts of loose snow moving rapidly down a slope to slab avalanches, in which large chunks of snow break off and destroy everything in their path. Although considered a hazard in the United States since the westward expansion in the nineteenth century, in modern times snow avalanches are an increasing concern in recreational mountainous areas. However, programs for snow avalanche hazard mitigation in other countries are far ahead of those in the United States. The book identifies several steps that should be taken by the United States in order to establish guidelines for research, technology transfer, and avalanche legislation and zoning.

Staying Alive in Avalanche Terrain

Staying Alive in Avalanche Terrain
Author: Bruce Tremper
Publisher: The Mountaineers Books
Total Pages: 292
Release: 2001
Genre: Sports & Recreation
ISBN: 9780898868340

Winter recreation in the mountains has increased steadily over the past few years, and so has the number of deaths and injuries caused by avalanches. Staying Alive in Avalanche Terrain covers everything you need to know to avoid trouble in avalanche terrain: what avalanches are and how they work, common myths, human activities that lead to avalanche trouble, what happens to victims when an avalanche occurs, and rescue techniques. Provides step- by-step instruction for determining avalanche hazards, using safe travel technique, and making effective rescues.

The Avalanche Handbook

The Avalanche Handbook
Author: David McClung
Publisher: The Mountaineers Books
Total Pages: 350
Release: 2006
Genre: Sports & Recreation
ISBN: 9780898868098

Technical yet accessible, The Avalanche Handbook, 3rd Edition, covers the formation, character, effects, and control of avalanches; rescue techniques; and research on understanding and surviving avalanches. Illustrated with nearly 200 updated illustrations, photos and examples, the revised edition offers exhaustive information on contributing weather and climate factors, snowpack analysis, the newest transceiver search techniques, and preventative and protective measures, including avalanche zoning and control. It contains new information on the unique characteristics of alpine snow, snow slab instability, terrain variables, skier triggering of avalanches, and the nature of avalanche motion. Plus brand-new chapters on the elements of backcountry avalanche forecasting and the decision-making process.

Secrets of the Greatest Snow on Earth

Secrets of the Greatest Snow on Earth
Author: Jim Steenburgh
Publisher: University Press of Colorado
Total Pages: 199
Release: 2014-11-13
Genre: Sports & Recreation
ISBN: 1492016802

Utah has long claimed to have the greatest snow on Earth—the state itself has even trademarked the phrase. In Secrets of the Greatest Snow on Earth, Jim Steenburgh investigates Wasatch weather, exposing the myths, explaining the reality, and revealing how and why Utah's powder lives up to its reputation. Steenburgh also examines ski and snowboard regions beyond Utah, making this book a meteorological guide to mountain weather and snow climates around the world. Chapters explore mountain weather, avalanches and snow safety, historical accounts of weather events and snow conditions, and the basics of climate and weather forecasting. Steenburgh explains what creates the best snow for skiing and snowboarding in accurate and accessible language and illustrates his points with 150 color photographs, making Secrets of the Greatest Snow on Earth a helpful tool for planning vacations and staying safe during mountain adventures. Snowriders, weather enthusiasts, meteorologists, students of snow science, and anyone who dreams of deep powder and bluebird skies will want to get their gloves on Secrets of the Greatest Snow on Earth.

Avalanche Handbook

Avalanche Handbook
Author: Ronald I. Perla
Publisher:
Total Pages: 248
Release: 1976
Genre: Avalanches
ISBN:

Deals comprehensively and practically with effects, causes and behaviour of avalanches, protection of ski areas, highways and villages, and safety and rescue.

Artillery Control of Avalanches Along Mountain Highways

Artillery Control of Avalanches Along Mountain Highways
Author: Noel C. Gardner
Publisher:
Total Pages: 34
Release: 1970
Genre: Artillery, Field and mountain
ISBN:

Presents planning and operational procedures, and discusses criteria for avalanche control and the evaluation of avalanche hazard based on field data. Outlines a method for determining when gunfire should commence. Gives basic information necessary for formulating operational forecasts for highway maintenance and avalanche control personnel based on: mountain weather forecasts, traffic density, and current snow conditions. Explains instrument needs in detail.