Mountain Rescue Specialist warns of avalanche risk, already, and offers up some safety tips. Photo by Stephen Strand
While the weather forecast may not show it, it’s the time of year that could see winter come roaring into Alberta, especially along the mountain ranges.
According to Mountain Rescue Specialist with Kananaskis Region, Alberta Forestry and Parks, Mike Koppang, even though winter isn’t in full swing, there is already the potential for avalanches in some areas in the mountains.
Koppang says that the normal avalanche season is when it starts snowing, with the official avalanche season November 15 each year.
At that point, daily avalanche forecasts are issued.
Koppang says that avalanches are caused when the weather causes changes in the snowpack, which he explains.
Avalanches can occur anywhere in the mountains, according to Koppang, all the way from the valley floor to mountain peaks.
Koppang adds that they rate the avalanche dangers to different elevation bands.
Avalanches are risky to humans, because the snow can travel fast down the side of a mountain, and the snow can cause breathing to be difficult if caught in an avalanche.
In order to stay safe in the mountains during the winter, Koppang suggests people take an avalanche safety course, and carry some specific tools that can help in the case of an avalanche.
For those who are heading out to the mountains to hike, Koppang says that, generally, if there is a slope of 15 degrees or more, you are in avalanche terrain.
On top of that, each time it snows, it creates a different set of conditions.
If you are out hiking and an avalanche happens, Koppang says to call 9-1-1 immediately, then try to help dig people out.
To learn more about avalanches and stay up to date on avalanche conditions, click here.
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