Crystal ball issue 19 vol 4 aug 2010

DISCOVERMORE, SAFELY

CRYSTALBALL 2010

NEW ZEALAND MOUNTAIN SAFETY COUNCIL

AVALANCHE MAGAZINEVOLUME 19

PErIodIcAl for thE NEw ZEAlANd AvAlANchE coMMuNIty

2 CRYSTAL BALL

NEWS ANDEVENTS

The New Zealand Avalanche Conference is being held in Christchurch on June 11/12th 2011.

We have top international and local speakers from a wide

sector of the avalanche community.

Additional workshops on Education and Search and Rescue

will be held on either side of the weekend.

Details on accommodation and meal packages will be

available soon with an early bird booking discount.

Welcome to winter 2010. At the Mountain Safety Council we are

excited about the new season and a new era for the avalanche

programme. I would like to extend a big thank you and farewell

to Steve Schreiber, the outgoing Avalanche Programme Manager.

Steve spent over ten years nurturing and developing the avalanche

programme. There is now a robust and well rounded system that

follows international best practice. The Mountain Safety Council is

committed to the continuation of the avalanche programme and we

are striving to continue to develop in all areas. To this end we are

currently planning a rebuild of the www.avalanche.net.nz website.

The site will have a fresh new interface with the public and

communicate the Backcountry Avalanche Advisory that speaks to

WITH THE NEW ZEALAND

WELCOME TO WINTER

2010MouNtAIN SAfEty couNcIl

Goodbye Hamish.

After 25 years on the MSC Snow and Avalanche Committee, and the last 6yrs as the Convenor, Hamish McCrostie has decided to move on. Hamish has made a huge contribution to the Mountain Safety Council and avalanche safety in general and he will be greatly missed. From his beginnings as a ski patroller, he has worked his way up into his current role as Coronet Peak Ski Area Manager. It is the on-going responsibilities that come with this position that have contributed to Hamish’s decision to step aside.

Chris Emmett (Turoa Ski Field) has been elected as the new convener of The Snow and Avalanche Committee.

After 25 years on the MSC ‘s Snow and

Avalanche Committee, the last six years

as the Convenor, Hamish McCrostie has moved

on. Hamish has made a huge contribution to

the MSC and to avalanche safety in general

and he will be greatly missed.

From his beginnings as a ski patroller, he

has worked his way into his current role as

Coronet Peak Ski Area Manager. It is the

ongoing responsibilities that come with this

position that have contributed to Hamish’s

decision to step aside. Chris Emmett (Turoa

Ski Field) has been elected as the new convener

of the Snow and Avalanche Committee.

GOODBYE HAMISH

all levels of users by providing a number of layers of information.

This follows on from the developments in European and North

American risk communication. There will also be interactive

functionality that will enable users to submit photos and public

observations, use social networking and receive downloads to mobile

devices. The overall aim is to reach a wider audience of every level

and discipline.

We are also looking at overhauling the INFO-EX. The new system

will be more user-friendly in its look and functionality and be able to

display data quickly in a myriad of graphical formats. It will work as

a true operational tool that addresses the issue of double entering

data and will securely store all your avalanche data and institutional

knowledge. Members of the project team are currently test driving a

potential model. Once we have more information, we will be out to

show all the INFO-EX subscribers what the future holds.

These are just two of the areas we are working on. Education, the

Avalanche Conference and industry support are also high priorities.

I hope you are having a good winter. Please contact me if there is

anything that I can do to help.

Hobbie

ANDREW HOBMAN

Avalanche Programme Manager

THE CRYSTAL BALLAugust 2010 Issue 19 Vol 4The Crystal ball is created twice a year by the New Zealand Mountain Safety Council.Submissions of articles, photographs and illustrations are welcomed.

Please send to:

Andrew Hobman, Avalanche Programme Managerph: +64 3 371 3724 or fax: +64 4 385 7366e: [email protected]

For advertising enquiries contact:Bede Eagle, Communications and [email protected] Tory Street, PO BOX 6027, Wellingtonph: (04) 385 7162 or fax: (04) 3847366

Editor: Andrew Hobman

Graphic Designer: Samantha Caird

Chief Executive Officer: Darryl CARpENTERChairman: ross MEDER

THE MISSION OF MSC’S SNOW AND AVALANCHE COMMITTEE: To provide expert advice and support to the council on appropiate

strategies to foster public safety in snow environments

To oversee the training, assessments and qualifications of instructors to ensure that national standards are maintained and enhanced

To oversee the professional training programmes of all providers as required

To monitor, research and review trends in snow and avalanche activites to ensure the Council remains the leading authority for safety in his enviroment

All material produced by New Zealand Mountain Safety Council are considered in the public domain. As such, all materials may be reproduced for research or classroom use.Permission is also granted for use of short quotations, figures and tables in scientific books and journals.

NEW ZEALAND MOUNTAIN SAFETY COUNCIL

1 CRYSTAL BALL CRYSTAL BALL 2

4 CRYSTAL BALL

Avalanche forecasting is a skill based on knowledge, experience,

intuition, good communication and information sharing.

Forecasting is an essential service to ensure the safety of the general

public in New Zealand’s unique alpine environments. For the last

couple of years I have had the opportunity to forecast for the largest

alpine area in the North Island, the Tongariro National Park as an

employee of Ruapehu Alpine Lifts Ltd (“R.A.L.”).

Tongariro National Park is located in the Central North Island; four

hours drive from Auckland and Wellington. Within this world

heritage park lies three main mountains, Mt Tongariro, Mt

Ngauruhoe and Mt Ruapehu. Mt Ruapehu is the largest of the

mountains with its highest peak reaching 2797m. It is also a highly

active volcano with the last major eruptions taking place in 1995/96

and a more recent minor eruption in 2007. Included within the

National Park’s boundary is the Tongariro Crossing, one of the most

popular one day alpine hiking tracks in New Zealand. Like most

alpine environments, weather conditions within the National Park

can change very rapidly and become extremely volatile and hard to

predict due to the mountains’ unsheltered location.

THERE ARE THREE SkI AREAS LOCATED ON MT RUApEHU:

Whakapapa, Turoa and Tukino. Tukino is a small club run ski area

that sits on the Eastern side of Mt Ruapehu, with enjoyable terrain

that can be accessed from ski tows and even more challenging

terrain if you are prepared to hike. Whakapapa sits on the northern

side of the mountain and is unique in that 46 ski clubs have

accommodation situated above 1600m. Managing these people can

be a challenging task during times of significant

avalanche hazard. Turoa sits on the southwest side of Ruapehu 16

km drive from Ohakune. Turoa’s upgraded facilities and Ohakune’s

growing population base during winter has seen skier and

snowboarder numbers increase substantially over the past few

years. The different aspects between the three Ski areas means

weather conditions and snowpack characteristics can differ vastly.

To accurately forecast for the region, key snow safety personnel

from each area share weather and snowpack information and local

knowledge. To keep the forecasting role dynamic, RAL rotate it every

few years between Whakapapa and Turoa. Whakapapa and Turoa

are two of the largest commercial ski areas in New Zealand, and

combined have over 1000 hectares of leased area accommodating

over 450,000 skiers, snowboarders, ski tourers and climbers

annually. This sheer volume of visitors coupled with varying skill

sets and a volatile alpine environment leads to heightened safety

risks for all parties who recreate on the mountain.

To meet the strict requirements of their concessions for operation,

these three Ski Areas have policies and procedures set in place to

mitigate hazards and minimize the risk to the public, staff and

property within their Ski Area Boundaries. No hazard management

such as avalanche control or safety services exists beyond these

boundaries. Terrain and inclement weather conditions on Mt

Ruapehu mean marking the Ski Area Boundaries in their entirety

with physical barriers is an impossible task to maintain, so evenly

spaced signage is used to define this line. Backcountry Avalanche

Advisory signs in conjunction with gates are located at key

Backcountry entrance points around the mountain. These gates are

designed to draw the public through, educating and advising the

potential avalanche hazard.An extra consideration for general safety

exists in that both Whakapapa and Turoa’s highest lifts unload at

over 2300m; this makes them the highest lifts in New Zealand. From

this elevation Backcountry access is literally a short traverse away.

Backcountry terrain accessed via ski lifts is commonly referred to as

“Slack Country” this is due to its relative ease of entry with minimal

effort. On a busy day on Mt Ruapehu, 12,000 skiers and boarders can

be expected to be on the slopes with as many as 2000 riding in the

“Slack Country”. This area incorporates some of the largest

avalanche paths in the region and history has shown how capable

this terrain is in producing significant large-scale avalanche events.

Along with signage around the mountain, the Backcountry Avalanche

advisory is reported daily on local radio stations during ski reports

and printed out and displayed in local ski shops. This fore thinking

works for getting information to the public, and it is heartening to

see more skiers and boarders enhancing their skill sets and using

safe practices, though I believe a large majority of people that ski

and board in this terrain still underestimate the potential hazard and

over estimate their capabilities to deal with it.

We have come along way in the past 10 years as the aid of

technology and professional knowledge has increased vastly.

Avalanche education for the public and mountain staff

has gathered momentum. However as the number of visitors

continue to grow, especially those seeking a backcountry experience,

the key is to continue promoting avalanche education for public and

professionals alike, finding new ways to place good information in

the public eye.

FORECAStINg NORTHWARD

DENHAM STEWART


6 CRYSTAL BALL

Stage 1 is offered from a myriad of providers on semester based

courses from Otago Polytechnic, Tai Poutini Polytechnic, CPIT,

Whiterea Polytechnic and OPC. Additionally Otago Polytechnic also

offers 3-4 short (6 and ½ day) courses annually for those with a

greater amount of mountain experience; such as guides and more

experienced back-country skiers.

Stage 2 is only available from Otago Polytechnic and, since 2008,

requires completion of a mentored logbook (Applied Snow Studies),

3 Theory courses, a 5-day Field Training (FT) course and a final 8-day

Integrated Practical Assessment (IPA). The logbook and all 3 theory

courses must be completed before attending the FT and IPA. This

was developed to meet the needs of our NZ avalanche industry, and

included input from the NZMGA, SAANZ

(representing ski area management and Ski Patrol), Milford Road

and others. The redevelopment not only brought us up to pace with

educational trends internationally, but leads the field in terms of

flexible study options and reflective workplace application. What you

may not be aware of is what you should be doing post Stage 1 to

pETER BILOUS

prepare for your Stage 2. This is where the mentored logbook

comes in. The purpose of the mentored logbook is to provide

evidence of you receiving structured feedback on practicing the

Stage 1 field skills and progressively exposing you to the level

expected on Stage 2 from a current stage 2 practitioner/mentor.

The field skills we are referring to are stability evaluations, snow

profiles, terrain evaluation and rescue practice. Most people can

expect to spend 100 days practicing these skills before being ready

to stage 2. However, completion is based on demonstrating

consistent competency (defined as minimal corrective feedback

from your mentor on your last 3 sessions) in each of the 4 field skill

areas. This system therefore recognises that different students

may progress at different rates. The quality of your mentored

feedback may also affect your pace of learning.You can and should

be including your summer (climbing guiding) and overseas patrolling

experience as part of the logged mentored process whenever you

are employing the above mentioned skill set-i.e. travelling in

you have one year in which to complete it. Bottom line - get started

on it as soon as you finish Stage 1 Avalanche Safety, then enrol in

the Applied Snow Studies (mentored logbook) course when you can

realistically complete it in one year. At some point, you should sign

up and get started on your Theory Courses, which are best done in

the traditionally low-workload spring and fall periods. This involves

enrolling with the Polytech and getting access to the materials

and a tutor (Theory Support Advisor – TSA). Students have 9 month

in which to complete each of the 3 theory courses from the time

they enrol.

My advice is to be proactive about your professional training goals

so you keep focused, motivated and on a realistically, achievable

track. Plan your course of study from when you want to complete

your Stage 2 or Diploma in Avalanche Studies, and then work

backwards on when you need to jump the hoops with each aspect

of the requirements.

If you have any other questions, please refer to the OP

website www.avalanche.ac.nz first, then get a copy of the

Applied Snow Studies Mentored Logbook, (which tells you how to

use it), and read it. Contact Barbara or myself if you still have any

outstanding issues.

Peter Bilous is NZMGA Ski Guide and the Avalanche

Programme Manager for Otago Polytechnic. He prefers that you

refer to the ‘Applied Snow Studies’ as just that or the ‘Mentored

Logbook’ rather than its obvious acronym...

Following the success of last year, the Wanaka Branch of the

Mountain Safety Council will once again be running Weekly

Avalanche Workshops to help promote avalanche safety.

Kindly supported and hosted on Thursday nights between 730-

830pm at Mainly Tramping’s Store on Dunmore St, each week

features:

A wrap up of current Weather, Snowpack, and Avalanche

conditions from the www.avalanche.net.nz

A short presentation/led discussion on the themed topic for

the evening and a question and answer session.

Every week the facilitator starts a discussion about the trips/

tours people have been out on during the past week, questioning,

and drawing out of them any observations (Avalanche, Snowpack,

Weather) they had made. After helping to put their lay speak

observations into more technical language, the discussion turns

to the INFOEX advisories which generally reflect and back up the

group’s own observations.

The regular and relaxed format is helping to build a

community of Backcountry users where people:

Participated in a less intimidating setting compared to the

big one-off Seminar many regions currently run

Could be referred onto Courses

Shared their experience or teamed up with others that have

more experience

Shared rides/split costs – more sustainable

Promoted the exchange/reporting of information

DVD and other media were also used, after which a

discussion (question and answer) reinforced the points

covered in the DVD.

Thanks to Steve and his team at Mainly Tramping for hosting the

workshops. It is hoped this format can be used elsewhere in NZ.

If you are interested in knowing more, or need help to setup similar

workshops, please contact Gordon Smith.

GORDON SMITH

[email protected]

WANAkA

WEEkLY AVALANCHE WORkSHOp

THE AVALANCHE tRAININg PROgRESSION FOR SkI pATROLLERS, GUIDES AND ROAD WORkERS

avalanche terrain.

Importantly, you need to use the templates provided by the

Polytech to drive the feedback process. This is to ensure that

nothing is missed in the discussions over time and provides the

required evidence of learning. Do remember that the process should

involve discussions before you leave, sometimes in the field and

at day’s (or trip’s) end. If you have documented evidence of this

process happening prior – and you can convert it into the template

form, that would be valid towards your completion goal. Note

however, that competency is based on current skills which must be

demonstrated to more than one mentor prior to being accepted for

the FT (and IPA). Contact Barbara Emmitt (Avalanche Programme

Administrator) at 0800 765 9276 for the latest copy of the

templates. These are available without cost to get you started. To

get credit for the course, you must have the submitted templates

approved by someone designated by the Polytech to do so. Once

enrolled in the Applied Snow Studies (mentored logbook) course,

visit www.smenz.co.nz

ARVA 3Axes- Analog & Digital, 3 Antennas, Marking Function for Multiple Burials, Distance & Direction in Real Time

ARVA LINK- W-Link (868mHz) and 457kHz, Analog & Digital, 3 Antennas, Marking Function for Multiple Burial, 360 degree Directional Guide in Real Time- Available winter 2011


you need to use templates provided by the polytech to drive the feedback process

8 CRYSTAL BALL

The Valley floor’s a miserable place

While your mates are having fun

I’m standing alone in the cold and shade

They’re skiing in the sun

These things I do to help them out

I really do not mind

Just once in a while let the tables turn

And let them stay behind

Still easy come, easy go

I’ve had my share of fun

Just now and then I’d like to be

The last one on a run

VALLEY FLOOR

RUSSELL CARR

PhotograPhy: Mary hoBBs


10 CRYSTAL BALL

STAGE ONE

Fig 2: Preseason training exercises. Treble Cone Patrollers work a conveyer belt shoveling technique once the victim has been located with a probe.

Fig 1: The slowing down phase once the victim is being uncovered and airway secured. Diggers continue to work widening the hole to aid in the extraction while others work on the victim.

As is often the challenge when setting up training scenarios, realism

is difficult to replicate. All too often we train hard on finding buried

avalanche targets in good time, but do not put as much effort into

mocking up the care needed for someone who has been buried past

the time that gives them decent of odds of survival.

While it is very difficult to present rescuers with a patient

suffering from triple H syndrome (hypothermia, hypoxia, and

hypercarbia), we are at least now, incorporating other elements of

the “rescue” part of search and rescue into our scenarios. For more

on conveyer belt shoveling techniques and First aid for avalanche

victims look in the links below.

www.mountainsafety.org.nz/research

The Avalanche Education Working Group -AEWG– which is all the

current providers of the Stage 1 course has planned an upgrade to

take effect for the 2011 winter season. Changes that have been

ear-marked include pre-course study and assessment to help

students better prepare for the theory concepts, and to have more

time to learn practical skills on the course. Updated teaching/

student resources are also to be an outcome of this exercise.

If you have an area of expertise to offer to this process or would just

like to be involved, please contact Andrew Hobman, AEWG chairman

[email protected]

The National Incident Database (NID) continues to be a valuable

tool for those involved in the ski industry. There were 5455 incidents

recorded by ski areas during the 2009 season and the information

captured about these events gives us all a greater understanding

of ski and boarding incidents. The 2009 report is available from

http://www.incidentreport.org.nz/reports.php the National

Incident database has two important functions.

http://www.incidentreport.org.nz/

THE NAtIONAL INCIDENt DAtABASE

AVALANCHE SAFEtY COuRSE REDEVELOPMENt pLANNED 2011

pRESEASON AVALANCHE SAR tRAININg

1) It enables the collation of skiing and boarding incidents on a

national basis so that we can begin to analyse trends. Importantly

because we are able to know how many people purchased ski passes

and the number of incidents we are able to gauge the incident rate

per 1000 skier/boarders. This information can be utilised to inform

decision makers about safety campaigns and potential changes to

practice.

2) The National Incident database is a valuable tool for each of the

registered ski areas who are able to easily use the filter boxes to

produce their own reports. The filter boxes include location,

severity, time of day, body part and weather conditions. It is

important that ski areas understand the potential of this database

as a tool for recording, analysing and sharing incident data.

While the NID is a fantastic collaborative tool which illustrates the

willingness of the ski industry to understand and learn from

incidents, there are still some ski areas, which while registered do

not contribute incident data. In my discussion with some of these

fields it seems that the transient nature of the staff plays a

significant role in this lack of engagement. I would like to encourage

all ski areas to meet best practice expectations and also to

contribute to the national understanding of incidents by

contributing to the NID.

For further information contact:

ANNIE DIGNAN

e: [email protected]. 04 9159284.


12 CRYSTAL BALL

USING “gOOgLE EARtH” AND “DROPBOx”

TO RECORD, AND SHARE SNOWpACk AND AVALANCHE OBSERVATIONS.

Many of us are familiar with using Google Earth to spatially record

data within our operations. In combination with

“Dropbox” (another freely downloadable software), trials

are being carried out to test the viability of using these

applications to record and then share observations of Class 1 and 2

information – Avalanche, and Snowpack/snowprofile observations.

These trials are being carried out as part of the overall redevelop-

ment of the NZMSC INFOEX system.

This is a cross platform solution (MAC and PC)

HOw IT’S dONE

It is possible to easily draw/overlay into Google Earth your field

observations no matter if you are a Ski Area, Heliski/guiding, or

Roading/Access Operation:

Where avalanches have occurred

Where snowpits/profiles have been dug

Where explosive charges have been placed

… other Operation specific infrastructure such as: landing

zones, ski lifts, medical facilities, snowmaking plant,

tunnels and roads, zoning, rescue equipment, topographic

maps, radio comms range, weather telemetry…etc

As you draw these layers into the program, you can also enter

information that can be recalled as you move your mouse over each

observation in the picture. This embedded information may be text,

for example:

Snow pit information

“CTM13 RP down 32cm on FC above RC”

Avalanche information

“Sz 2 Sa 25m wide 40cm deep ran fast, no involvement”

Or you can embed a link to a picture or graphic file(jpeg), like the

example in Fig1.

HOw THE ObSErvATIONS ArE SHArEd!

“Dropbox” creates a folder on your local computer, and

a sync’d backup version of it on a secure webserver. Dropbox lets

you share folders with others by inviting them to view the folder you

specify from within your own Dropbox. Once you add other members

to the folder, it will appear in your colleagues own Dropbox just as it

does in yours. Any changes made to the shared folder’s contents will

appear instantaneously to everyone who is a member of the folder.

Questions about dropbox may be answered here:

https://www.dropbox.com/help

When your daily observations have been entered into Google Earth,

you then choose the “save place as” in the google earth menu. By

saving the small kmz file into the relevant shared folder in your

drop box, makes it accessible to colleagues who share this INFOEX

folder.

There will be 2 different shared folders during this test. Members of

the Professional Operation (current INFOEX subscribers) will have

access to one, and an entirely separate Shared folder will used by

Public contributors. Members of the public group cannot view the

Professional Obs – in this way it is exactly the same as the current

INFOEX.

Any Operation or Individual wishing to take part in this trial will

need to contact me in order to be invited into the relevant

“Shared Folder”.

Extensive detailed instructions including Video tutorials have been

created, and can be sent to those wishing to take part in this trial.

GORDON SMITH

[email protected]

1: Screen shot of Google Earth with pop up bubble appearing after clicking on a (green) snowprofile icon. The “Snowpro” image at right, appears after clicking on the blue link in the pop up bubble.


14 CRYSTAL BALL

THE NIWA

NAtIONAL SNOW AND ICE MONItORINg NEtWORk.

JORDY HENDRIkx

Snow and ice are two resources that are likely to be subject to

significant change over the next 20-100 years, depending on the

pace of global climate change. Such changes will have substantial

impacts on the long term planning and daily operations of

hydro-electricity, agriculture and tourism/skiing industries. These

changes, will also affect all aspects of the alpine and downstream

environments, with influences on the hydrological cycle, erosion and

land stability, biodiversity and people’s ability to recreate in these

areas (to name just a few). In 2006, the National Institute of Water

and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) started on the development of

the National Snow and Ice Monitoring Network to better observe

and quantify these changes. The primary aims of the new network

are two-fold: First to gain a better understanding of snow and ice

in terms of a resource and a hazard (e.g. Avalanches); Secondly, to

assess the impact of climate change on snow and ice. This means

that we have both a real-time and a long-term need for the data

from these sites.

Back in 2006, unlike other countries around the world, we did

not have a national monitoring network for these valuable and

vulnerable resources. We lagged behind many countries in the world

and this was poignantly illustrated by the fact that countries like

Kazakhstan had a national snow monitoring network, while New

Zealand did not. This was also in stark contrast to the New Zealand

glacier snowlines record, which dates back to 1977. While the glacier

snowlines are a snow observation, they are only an annual snapshot

of the end of summer snow lines and presents the aggregate of

seasonal snowfall and the subsequent summer melt. Additionally,

simple analysis of NIWA’s current observation network showed a

clear disparity between “what we have got” and “what we measure”

with over 50% of the land area of the South Island being above

500 m in elevation, but less than 10% of our network at or above

these elevations. This disparity is even more accentuated at higher

elevations, with only a few sparse and mainly non-continuous (i.e.

seasonal) records available above 1000 m. By comparison, the

SnoTel Network in the USA has over 700 sites across the western

USA with some sites having data back to 1930. While in Switzerland

there are over 100 alpine climate stations in the Swiss Alps alone,

providing a station density of approximately 1 per 270 km2 . By

contrast, if we consider the area above 500m in the South Island

to be the “Southern Alps” (i.e. 76,440 km2), then we would

require more than 280 stations to achieve the same coverage as

Switzerland! While I am not advocating this as an aim of the NIWA

Snow and Ice Monitoring Network, as there are many many

differences between New Zealand and Switzerland, it is an

interesting analysis to provide a context with regards to spatial

coverage. In the first phase of the Network we have planned for up

to 14 new sites throughout New Zealand. Data from this new

Figure 1Map of the installed and proposed NIWA snow and ice network sites. Additional sites (not shown on the map) which are in the early phases of planning and will hopefully be situated in; Northern Fiordland; Richardson Mountains (near Queenstown); Lewis Pass Region, and the Kaikoura Mountains. *Albert Burn is in association with Otago Regional Council.

Site Elevation National Park Status Chateau at Ruapehu

1100 Tongariro Upgraded existing site

Mahanga 2010 Nelson Lakes New site installed

Rolleston Glacier 1650-1800 Westland New site installed

Arthur’s Pass 740 Arthurs Pass Upgraded existing site

Ivory Glacier 1380 Westland New site installed

Rakaia 1700-1850 - New site installed

Mt Potts 2140 - New site installed

Mueller 1780 Aoraki / Mt Cook New site installed

Mt Cook 760 Aoraki / Mt Cook Upgraded existing site

Albert Burn* 1280 Mt Aspiring New site installed

Murchison Mts 1120 Fiordland New site installed

Ruapehu 2000-2480 Tongariro Planning & negotiation with land owner / manager underway

Brewster Glacier 1680 Mt Aspiring Awaiting new MANPMP

Richardson Mts 1800 - Planning & negotiation with land owner / manager underway

Clinton Valley 2000 Fiordland Planning & negotiation with land owner / manager underway

Lewis Pass Region 1500-2000 - Early planning underway

Kaikoura Mts 1500-2500 - Early planning underway

* Albert Burn is in association with Otago Regional Council.

Albert Burn is in association with Otago Regional Council.

network, combined with advanced model capabilities, will improve

scientific understanding of seasonal snow, avalanches, snow melt

and climate change impacts in New Zealand and help us assess the

mass-balance of glaciers in the Southern Alps.

Table 1 shows details of the installed and proposed (in grey) NIWA

sites, including site name, elevation, National Park within and

operational status.

SO, WHAT DO THESE SITES LOOk LIkE AND HOW DO

THEY WORk?

A schematic of a “full” site is shown in Figure 2 and photos

are in Figure 3. The stations measure snow depth with an ultrasonic

sensor (SR50), along with other regular climate parameters such as

temperature, wind speed and direction, humidity and rain. The snow

depth sensor works by transmitting ultrasonic pulses towards the

ground, measuring the time it takes for the echoes to return from

the closest surface, and using the measurement to determine the

distance to it. As snow falls, this distance decreases, so the sensor

measures the total height of the snow as it accumulates. The sensor

Figure 2 A schematic of a “full” site, as installed at the Murchison Mountains and at Mahanga.

has a range of 10 metres, but is limited by our mast height, and has

an accuracy of 0.4%, or about 0.01m. We have also installed snow

pillows at key locations to record the total weight of the snow in mm.

At most sites, the data is transmitted hourly using satellite

communications and can be accessed via a user friendly interface

on the internet. We are especially interested in the snow depth and

snow density as these two pieces of information are required to

estimate the snow water equivalence (SWE), i.e. the amount of

water locked up in the snowpack. This is really important for spring

runoff and recharge as in some catchments this component of the

water balance can be very substantial. Snow is also very sensitive to

changes in temperature (and precipitation), so this new snow data

will provide us with another index or measure of climate change.

This data is also important for real time applications like avalanche

forecasting. Using a snow depth sensor and snowpillow we can

observe the density of a layer of snow (Figure 4) – as many will know,

as a generalisation, light snow, overlaid by denser snow is generally


We are especially interested in the snow depth and snow density as these two pieces of information are required to estimate the snow water equivalence

16 CRYSTAL BALL

Figure 3 (A) A summer photo of the Murchison Mountains site in Fiordland National Park

Figure 4 Early snow storm in May 2009 showing the snow depth from down looking ultrasonic (blue) compared with Snow Water Equivalent (red).Figure 4 (B) A winter photo of the Mahanga site in Nelson Lakes National Park.

bad news. Snowpack temperatures also allow us to track liquid water

within the snowpack, helping us determine if the snowpack has

become isothermal, or to what depth the water has penetrated.

Figure 4 shows a graph of the snow depth and SWE from a storm

in early May at the Murchison Mountains site. Here we can see that

there was approximately 0.16 m of snow and this represented about

16mm of water. This indicated that the density of this snowfall was

around 100 kg/m3, or that the snow had approximately 10% water

content (which is light for New Zealand snow, but not atypical for a

cold early season storm). As the season progressed, we observed the

snowpack “ripen” and the water content slowly rises to about 30%

and at the end of winter / early spring, when it started melting,

it will sit around 45-55%. Real time non quality assured data for

each site is provided to the land owners or managers via access to

an internet web page. In many cases this is the Department of

Conservation and they are using it for a range of management

purposes, including snow and avalanche management and hut /

track closures. At most sites, this is the first time that real-time

data has been available from these remote locations to assist

in management decisions. The data is also provided to the

Mountain Safety Council for use in the creation of the daily

backcountry avalanche advisory (BAA) as posted on www.avalanche.

net.nz page. This new stream of data enables the regional avalanche

forecaster to have an improved understanding about snow depths

and densities, temperatures, wind speed and direction from a

remote location, where manual observations are not possible. The

public also have free access to most of this data within a few hours /

days, following quality assurance procedures undertaken by NIWA,

via our web page www.cliflo.co.nz

In summary, since 2006 we have made good progress towards the

goal of developing a National Snow and Ice Network for New Zea-

land. We have eleven operational sites, including eight new sites,

providing real-time data to a number of key groups and agencies. We

have also built and aim to install several more sites in the 2010/2011

summer. The real-time data from these sites are already providing

valuable observations as input for the creation of MSC daily public

avalanche forecasts and will increasingly do so as we complete the

national network. If you find one of our sites as part of your trips into

the Mountains please don’t be tempted to tinker with it, please just

give it the respect that a piece of expensive and sensitive scientific

equipment deserves. We have sited them to minimise their visual

impact – so other than a few exceptions (where they are sited next

to a hut), you will need to search really hard to find them!

Please get in touch if you have any questions.

DR JORDY HENDRIkx

NIWA Snow & Ice Scientist

E: [email protected]


18 CRYSTAL BALL

DON BOGIE

ATES AVALANCHE tERRAIN ExPOSuRE SCALE

ATES is the avalanche terrain exposures scale. It is independent of

stability. The terrain class remains the same no matter what the

snow stability is. ATES was developed in Canada by Parks Canada

and the Canadian Avalanche Association. It is designed to give users

information on the level of exposure to avalanche hazard when they

go into uncontrolled avalanche terrain. ATES has been adopted in

New Zealand by the Mountain Safety Council and the Department

of Conservation for providing backcountry users with information

on likely exposure to avalanches. MSC also uses it for deciding

where instruction courses can be run and DOC also uses it for staff

risk management purposes by setting defined levels of staff skill

for each terrain class.

ATES can be applied to fixed features such as a track or marked

route, or to an unmarked route, or to parts of catchments or ranges,

or to entire catchments or ranges. It is important to be clear about

what it is applied to because the scale at which it is applied could

affect the category outcome. When an ATES assessment is done of

a catchment or mountain range it is likely that the area has in it a

mixture of simple, challenging and complex. The finer the scale

used the more definite things will be. When assessing a large area

you should think about what sort of user goes there and the

degree of use. If a lot of use is in a specific place then this should

be looked at separately. As an example a mountain range may

generally be challenging but contain areas of complex. It still meets

the definition of challenging because people have options for

avoiding avalanche paths. If people are using a particular valley in

the range where there is no option for avoiding avalanche terrain

then that place is complex.

ATES assessments of the New Zealand backcountry will occur over

a period of time. For the 2010 winter DOC has classified Aoraki Mt

Cook National Park and surrounding terrain and Tongariro National

Park. More assessments of other places should occur for the 2011

winter and be available through the MSC and DOC websites.

Initially many of these assessments will be done as larger scale

assessments of catchments and ranges in order to give visitors a

general indication of the likely ATES class contained in that area. If

other groups and organisations have a need for more detailed

analysis to work out where they wish to operate they will need to

take these larger areas and split them into smaller blocks. This

information can then be incorporated into information that DOC and

the MSC supply to visitors. As guidebooks are written or revised it

would be good if they could include the ATES classifications of the

routes and trips in them.

ASSESSINg THE TErrAIN

ATES assessments should be done by a small group of people who

are familiar with the terrain. At least one person in that group needs

to have the stage 2 avalanche qualification. When the assessment

is done a technical model form (see later in this article) needs to

be filled in for each area being assessed. Displaying the results.

An ATES assessment can be displayed either through marking the

classifications onto a map or by the use of a list. When putting

ATES assessments onto maps this should be done in a GIS system

with the simple terrain in green, challenging in blue and complex in

black. If the ATES assessment is being done as a text list then the

colours should be used if possible either through the lists of each

terrain class being in the appropriate colour or through the use of a

coloured header bar. When preparing pamphlets the appropriate

terrain class should be used in the text and reference made to the

ATES system and where to get more information on it. The use of

the terrain class on warning signs should also be encouraged.

When preparing pamphlets the appropriate terrain class should be

used in the text and reference made to the ATES system and where

to get more information on it. The use of the terrain class on warning

signs should also be encouraged.

SIMpLE CHALLENGING COMpLEx

Aoraki Mount Cook Village

Tasman Valley Floor

Murchison Valley Floor

Upper Tasman Glacier

Liebig Range

Mueller Glacier

Ball Hut Rd

Grand Plateau

Upper Hooker Valley

Track to Mueller Hut

Example of part of Aoraki Mount Cook National Park

ATES zone map for Aoraki Mount Cook National Park


20 CRYSTAL BALL

PUbLIC INFOrMATION MOdEL

The following table is the public information model. This information will need to go into any web sites giving information on ATES and into

ATES pamphlets and visitor centre information along with the accompanying advice on the amount of experience needed. An important

part of ATES is providing advice to the public on how much experience is needed. Note that the experience level goes up for places with no

avalanche advisories.

SIMpLE

CHALLENGING

COMpLEx

1

2

3

Exposure to low angle or primarily forested terrain. Some forest openings may involve the runout zones of infrequent avalanches. Many options to reduce or eliminate exposure. No glacier travel.

Exposure to well defined avalanche paths, starting zones or terrain traps; options exist to reduce or eliminate exposure with careful routefinding. Glacier travel is straightforward but crevasse hazards may exist.

Exposure to multiple overlapping avalanche paths or large expanses of steep, open terrain; multiple avalanche starting zones and terrain traps below; minimal options to reduce exposure. Complicated glacier travel with extensive crevasse bands or icefalls.

HOw MUCH ExPErIENCE dO I NEEd FOr THESE TrIPS?

Simple (Class 1) terrain requires common sense, proper equipment,

first aid skills, and the discipline to respect avalanche warnings.

Simple terrain is usually low avalanche risk, ideal for people gaining

backcountry experience.

These trips may not be entirely free from avalanche hazards,

and on days when the Backcountry Avalanche Advisory is rated

Considerable or higher, you may want to re-think any backcountry

travel that has exposure to avalanches – stay within the boundaries

of a ski area. If there is no advisory you or someone in your group

should have done an avalanche awareness course.

Challenging (Class 2) terrain requires skills to recognize and avoid

avalanche prone terrain – big slopes exist on these trips. You must

also know how to understand avalanche advisories, perform

avalanche self rescue, basic first aid, and be confident in your route

finding skills. In places with an avalanche advisory exists you should

take an avalanche course prior to travelling in this type of terrain.

If there is no advisory you or someone in your group should have

done the 4 day backcountry avalanche course. If you are unsure of

your own, or your group’s ability to navigate through avalanche

terrain - consider hiring a professional guide, normally an NZMGA

qualified guide. Complex (Class 3) terrain demands a strong group

with years of critical decision-making experience in avalanche terrain.

There can be no safe options on these trips, forcing exposure to big

slopes. A recommended minimum is that you or someone in your

group should have taken a 4 day backcountry avalanche course and

has several years of backcountry experience. Be prepared! Check the

avalanche advisory regularly, and ensure everyone in your group is up

for the task and aware of the risk. If there is no advisory then it

is recommended that everyone in the group has done the 4 day

backcountry course. This is serious country - not a place to consider

unless you’re confident in the skills of your group. If you are

uncertain, hiring a professional NZMGA qualified guide is

recommended

Technical Model

The technical model is used to define each class and utilises the

model being used by Parks Canada as at May 2010.

(version 1.04) The following link http://www.pc.gc.ca/pn-np/ab/

banff/visit/visit7a1_e.asp takes you to the Parks Canada avalanche

web page. The technical model should be made available on websites

but should not be used in pamphlets or visitor centre displays.

Changes from the Canadian Model

ATES as applied in New Zealand is as close to the Canadian system

as possible. The technical model and public information model are

the same. The only differences are in the “how much experience do I

need?” section where the relevant New Zealand course names have

been used and some additional material on skill levels for where

there is no advisory has been added.

The Canadian model has several references to trees in it. While there

are very few start zones in New Zealand in trees there are a lot of

avalanche paths that run down to valley floor through mature forest

so trees are still relevant to the New Zealand situation.

DON BOGIEe: [email protected]

BAA – Backcountry Avalanche AdvisoryThe Backcountry Avalanche Advisory is provided by the Mountain Safety Council, and is available at www.avalanche.net.nz

Cov

er p

hoto

: Ava

lanc

he o

n B

all H

ut R

oad,

Aor

aki/M

ount

Coo

k N

atio

nal P

ark

Risk statement ATES and the BAA should be used together for evaluating hazards

and managing personal risk in the backcountry.There are inherent risks in backcountry travel, and most of the

routes described here will at times be unsafe due to potential snow

avalanches. The Department of Conservation has done its best to

provide accurate information describing the terrain characteristics

typical of each general region, based on its current knowledge.

However, it is up to you to use this information to make your own

risk-management decisions and learn the necessary skills for safe

backcountry travel, to access additional trip-planning materials,

and to exercise caution while travelling in backcountry areas. This

information is no substitute for experience and good judgement.

Published by Department of ConservationCanterbury ConservancyPrivate Bag 4715Christchurch, New Zealand2010

beavalanche alert

How does ATES apply in Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park?The majority of the park and surrounding terrain is serious

avalanche country. There is very little simple terrain and a moderate amount

of challenging terrain. The majority of the park is complex

avalanche terrain, which demands respect from all who

use it. See insert All park visitors should consider carefully the class of

avalanche terrain they are going into, and check the

avalanche-danger advisory prior to undertaking any trip.Avalanche seasonAt higher altitudes avalanches can occur at any time of the

year as snow falls year-round in the park. Climbers can be

at particular risk during the summer at higher elevations.

During winter and spring, avalanches can occur on some

park tracks, and on the Ball Hut road. To reduce risk, the

following applies at three sites:Hooker Valley Track During periods of high risk to people at the outlet end

•of the lake, this track is closed. You should not go

beyond the outlet end of the lake unless you have the

right avalanche experience.Ball Hut Road Large avalanches regularly cross the road each winter

•and into the spring. You should not stop in any of the

marked avalanche paths. Check with the visitor centre

for the latest avalanche information prior to walking or

four-wheel driving here.Mueller Hut Route The route to Mueller Hut travels through complex

•avalanche terrain. There is no way to avoid being

exposed to avalanche danger on this route when

there is enough snow in the start zones to produce

avalanches. Check at the visitor centre to see if

avalanches are likely to be an issue. If you lack experience at travelling in avalanche terrain,

•our recommendation is that you should only go up or

down from the hut when the avalanche danger is low. If staying overnight in the hut, you need to be

•prepared to stay longer if the danger level rises while

you are there.

Be avalanche aware!If you are going into places avalanches could occur, make

sure you: have checked the ATES class for where you want to

•go and the BAA for the avalanche rating

have the skills for the ATES class you are going into

•

take an avalanche transceiver, a snow shovel and a

•probe. Know how to use these tools!

www.doc.govt.nz

Avalanche terrain ratings

aoraki/mount cook national park

An example of how DOC will be using/publicizing ATES


20 CRYSTAL BALL

Public information model

The following table is the public information model. This information will need to go into any web sites giving information on ATES and into

ATES pamphlets and visitor centre information along with the accompanying advice on the amount of experience needed. An important

part of ATES is providing advice to the public on how much experience is needed. Note that the experience level goes up for places with no

avalanche advisories.

SIMPLE

ChALLEngIng

CoMPLEx

1

2

3

Exposure to low angle or primarily forested terrain. Some forest openings may involve the runout zones of infrequent avalanches. Many options to reduce or eliminate exposure. No glacier travel.

Exposure to well defined avalanche paths, starting zones or terrain traps; options exist to reduce or eliminate exposure with careful routefinding. Glacier travel is straightforward but crevasse hazards may exist.

Exposure to multiple overlapping avalanche paths or large expanses of steep, open terrain; multiple avalanche starting zones and terrain traps below; minimal options to reduce exposure. Complicated glacier travel with extensive crevasse bands or icefalls.

How mucH exPerience do i need for tHese triPs?

Simple (Class 1) terrain requires common sense, proper equipment,

first aid skills, and the discipline to respect avalanche warnings.

Simple terrain is usually low avalanche risk, ideal for people gaining

backcountry experience.

These trips may not be entirely free from avalanche hazards,

and on days when the Backcountry Avalanche Advisory is rated

Considerable or higher, you may want to re-think any backcountry

travel that has exposure to avalanches – stay within the boundaries

of a ski area. If there is no advisory you or someone in your group

should have done an avalanche awareness course.

Challenging (Class 2) terrain requires skills to recognize and avoid

avalanche prone terrain – big slopes exist on these trips. You must

also know how to understand avalanche advisories, perform

avalanche self rescue, basic first aid, and be confident in your route

finding skills. In places with an avalanche advisory exists you should

take an avalanche course prior to travelling in this type of terrain.

If there is no advisory you or someone in your group should have

done the 4 day backcountry avalanche course. If you are unsure of

your own, or your group’s ability to navigate through avalanche

terrain - consider hiring a professional guide, normally an NZMGA

qualified guide. Complex (Class 3) terrain demands a strong group

with years of critical decision-making experience in avalanche terrain.

There can be no safe options on these trips, forcing exposure to big

slopes. A recommended minimum is that you or someone in your

group should have taken a 4 day backcountry avalanche course and

has several years of backcountry experience. Be prepared! Check the

avalanche advisory regularly, and ensure everyone in your group is up

for the task and aware of the risk. If there is no advisory then it

is recommended that everyone in the group has done the 4 day

backcountry course. This is serious country - not a place to consider

unless you’re confident in the skills of your group. If you are

uncertain, hiring a professional NZMGA qualified guide is

recommended

Technical Model

The technical model is used to define each class and utilises the

model being used by Parks Canada as at May 2010.

(version 1.04) The following link http://www.pc.gc.ca/pn-np/ab/

banff/visit/visit7a1_e.asp takes you to the Parks Canada avalanche

web page. The technical model should be made available on websites

but should not be used in pamphlets or visitor centre displays.

Changes from the Canadian Model

ATES as applied in New Zealand is as close to the Canadian system

as possible. The technical model and public information model are

the same. The only differences are in the “how much experience do I

need?” section where the relevant New Zealand course names have

been used and some additional material on skill levels for where

there is no advisory has been added.

The Canadian model has several references to trees in it. While there

are very few start zones in New Zealand in trees there are a lot of

avalanche paths that run down to valley floor through mature forest

so trees are still relevant to the New Zealand situation.

Don BogIEe: [email protected]

BAA – Backcountry Avalanche AdvisoryThe Backcountry Avalanche Advisory is provided by the Mountain Safety Council, and is available at www.avalanche.net.nz

Cov

er p

hoto

: Ava

lanc

he o

n B

all H

ut R

oad,

Aor

aki/M

ount

Coo

k N

atio

nal P

ark

Risk statement ATES and the BAA should be used together for evaluating hazards

and managing personal risk in the backcountry.There are inherent risks in backcountry travel, and most of the

routes described here will at times be unsafe due to potential snow

avalanches. The Department of Conservation has done its best to

provide accurate information describing the terrain characteristics

typical of each general region, based on its current knowledge.

However, it is up to you to use this information to make your own

risk-management decisions and learn the necessary skills for safe

backcountry travel, to access additional trip-planning materials,

and to exercise caution while travelling in backcountry areas. This

information is no substitute for experience and good judgement.

Published by Department of ConservationCanterbury ConservancyPrivate Bag 4715Christchurch, New Zealand2010

beavalanche alert

How does ATES apply in Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park?The majority of the park and surrounding terrain is serious

avalanche country. There is very little simple terrain and a moderate amount

of challenging terrain. The majority of the park is complex

avalanche terrain, which demands respect from all who

use it. See insert All park visitors should consider carefully the class of

avalanche terrain they are going into, and check the

avalanche-danger advisory prior to undertaking any trip.Avalanche seasonAt higher altitudes avalanches can occur at any time of the

year as snow falls year-round in the park. Climbers can be

at particular risk during the summer at higher elevations.

During winter and spring, avalanches can occur on some

park tracks, and on the Ball Hut road. To reduce risk, the

following applies at three sites:Hooker Valley Track During periods of high risk to people at the outlet end

•of the lake, this track is closed. You should not go

beyond the outlet end of the lake unless you have the

right avalanche experience.Ball Hut Road Large avalanches regularly cross the road each winter

•and into the spring. You should not stop in any of the

marked avalanche paths. Check with the visitor centre

for the latest avalanche information prior to walking or

four-wheel driving here.Mueller Hut Route The route to Mueller Hut travels through complex

•avalanche terrain. There is no way to avoid being

exposed to avalanche danger on this route when

there is enough snow in the start zones to produce

avalanches. Check at the visitor centre to see if

avalanches are likely to be an issue. If you lack experience at travelling in avalanche terrain,

•our recommendation is that you should only go up or

down from the hut when the avalanche danger is low. If staying overnight in the hut, you need to be

•prepared to stay longer if the danger level rises while

you are there.

Be avalanche aware!If you are going into places avalanches could occur, make

sure you: have checked the ATES class for where you want to

•go and the BAA for the avalanche rating

have the skills for the ATES class you are going into

•

take an avalanche transceiver, a snow shovel and a

•probe. Know how to use these tools!

www.doc.govt.nz

Avalanche terrain ratings

aoraki/mount cook national park

An example of how DOC will be using/publicizing ATES


22 CRYSTAL BALL

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

Over the last few years a group of snow industry representatives

have met every year or so to review the National SOPs for Explosives

use for Avalanche Control in NZ. In countries such as Canada and the

US, even in NZ, regulations around explosives use are getting tighter.

The snow industry cannot afford to be seen as a group that doesn’t

progress it’s safety standards, As much as we know safety is a daily

focus, sometimes our documentation doesn’t reflect that.

Unfortunately, the people making decisions about explosives

regulations and other aspects of our businesses increasingly don’t

have a clue what an avalanche is. So, in late 2007 an outside

expert was engaged by SAANZ (Ski Areas Association of NZ) to

perform an independent risk analysis on the current SOPs with an

eye to developing them into something with a bit more substance

and to ensure that the practices were consistent with industry best

practice. In 2009 the working group met again in Christchurch and

decided to submit a proposal to SAANZ for funding to progress the

SOPs to a more legally substantial Approved Code of Practice. This

proposal was accepted by the SAANZ group and work started in the

summer of 2009/10. Simon De Bono was engaged as a consultant to

firstly review the SOPs and assess the work required to get them up

to the standard required for Approved Code of Practice.

ExPLoSIvES foR AvAlAnche control

Andy Hoyle

An uPDATE on whERE wE ARE AT now AnD whERE wE ARE TRYIng To go In the future.

This review uncovered a significant short fall and the direction of the

project shifted slightly towards getting a very comprehensive set of

SOPs that will form the basis of a training system for all personnel

being trained in avalanche control. All the SOPs and Safe Working

Instructions have been drafted up and are in final review currently. A

roll out process will commence through this winter, comments and

feedback are greatly appreciated - but keep an open mind - the look

and appearance is very different to the current SOP in use. We are

aiming for another meeting ‘of the minds’ in Christchurch later in

the season to discuss how the new SOPs are bedding in and where to

from here. One question that we all need to think about is, can our

industry effectively regulate itself against these SOPs or should it be

an outside agency doing this? Another question that should be top

of any ski patrol manager’s mind currently is; who is going to (Test)

certify my staff in the future?

We will all be painted with the same brush if there is an incident

involving explosives in avalanche control - and now is the time for us

to band together and get this aspect of our work sorted out.

Questions, concerns or comments about the new SOPs or related

topics can be directed

directly to me.

ANDY HOYLE

Safety Services Manager - Whakapapa

e: [email protected]


24 CRYSTAL BALL

100

90

80

70

60

50

40

30

20

10

0

1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

TOTAL NUMBER OF EVENTS REPORTED

TOTAL NUMBER OF PEOPLE CAUGHT

TOTAL NUMBER OF PEOPLE KILLED

Fig 1: A compArison oF the number oF reported events, the number oF people cAught And

the number oF FAtAlities For the decAde 1998-2009

While these figures give us an indication of the activity last

season, we feel that they are just a snapshot of the real numbers.

Anecdotal evidence shows that we are not capturing all the incidents

that are happening. This means that robust research is difficult to

undertake. It is critically important for evaluation, planning,

development and saving lives that all near-misses, involvements

and incidents are reported.

Under reporting happens for a number of reasons. The current

structure of the INFO-EX may be inhibiting complete reporting. We

hope that this will be addressed with the new system in 2011. With

this new programme we also hope to gain added commitment and

support from an increased subscriber pool.

Difficulty for the public to make easy observations has also been

identified as an inhibiting factor in the collection of data. The

proposed new Backcountry Avalanche Advisory site will contain

simple email templates that should help members of the public

to submit observations to the forecasters, who in turn will enter

relevant data into the Info-Ex.

All of these things will help in creating a clearer picture of the

avalanche environment. But more needs to be done to highlight the

importance of reporting all near-misses and involvements. As risk

analysis shows, the actual accidents are just the tip of the iceberg

and only a small change in circumstance can dramatically change

the result.

One of the core principles of the recommendations by the

Department of Labour in the Tourism and Adventure Operations

review is that:

“Safety information iS willingly exchanged

externally. exchange of Safety information:

organiSationS make a conSciouS and formaliSed

effort to Share Safety information (including

leSSonS learned) with otherS while externally

Seeking information that may Strengthen their own

Safety proviSionS. commercial intereStS are puShed

aSide in the intereStS of achieving better Safety

outcomeS through Shared learning.”

Thank you to all those organisations and individuals that do

take the time to enter data into the Info-Ex and please continue

with your support. We have a good system in place that will only

get better. The sharing of this data is important for the safety

of everybody.

Fig 2: the grAph below indicAtes the rAnge oF Activities people were engAging in when the

reported AvAlAnche incident took plAce.

AvAlAnche EvEnT SuMMARY 1998- 2009

nuMBER ofEvEnTS

PEoPLE CAughT

fILM

Ing

SkI /

wo

Rk

In

Sk

I A

REA

SkI

Tou

RIn

g

SkIIn

g

hEL

ISk

I &B

oA

RD

BAC

k-

Co

un

TRY

SkI/

Bo

AR

D

Bo

AR

DIn

g

ToTA

L

0 9 1 4 8 1 2 25

8 1 2 11 1 1 24

Certifi cate in Ski PatrolBASED IN WANAKA & TREBLE CONE STARTS MARCH 2011

Programme includes:• Pre-hospital Emergency Care• Avalanche Stage 1• Rescue Toboggans• Mountain Meteorology• Snow Blasting• Chairlift Evacuation• Advanced Skiing / Snowboarding• Basic Mountaineering Techniques• Slope Hazard Management• Work Place Experience!

This programme provides a fantastic stepping stone towards guiding or instructing in the snow environment and is recognised by the industry as providing suitable pre-employment training.


annie dignan

26 CRYSTAL BALL

The New Zealand Heliski Operators Group (NZHOG) is now

into its second year of existence as the body setting standards

for heliskiing activities in NZ . The idea originated by IFMGA

Heliski guides Tarn Pilkington and Hugh Barnard now

comprises a membership of nine , including all the key

companies in the industry and accounts for around 90 percent

of the visitors days in NZ. A Code of Practice was formally

adopted this year and member companies are intergrating

requirements into their operations during the 2010 season.

The idea is not new as a similiar group “Helicat” exists in

British Columbia ,Canada. The underlying principle like many

other co-operative industry groups is to collabaratively set

standards thereby increasing safety and enhancing the visitor

experience. The group has a website where visitors can view

member information and learn about safety standards in the

industry.

25 crYStAl BAll crYStAl BAll 26

28 CRYSTAL BALL

Avalanche forecasting relies on collecting diverse data, including

data from the snowpack. The most highly prized snowpack data is

termed “low entropy” or “bulls-eye” data. These are data that

unambiguously inform the observer about the state of the snow-

pack, and include things like observing avalanches or hearing the

snow collapse with a whumpfing sound. Other snowpack data

might not be so unambiguous. For example, avalanche forecasters

dig snowpits and do stability tests to help to ascertain whether

the snowpack is unstable. However, interpreting stability tests is

typically not straightforward, and most existing snowpit tests have

false-stability rates around 10% (Birkeland and Chabot, 2006). In

other words, when conducting such tests on slopes with clear signs

of instability, observers can expect to get test results typically

associated with stable slopes about 10% of the time. This value is

unacceptably high and is why avalanche practitioners must use

much more data than simply stability tests. Clearly, a need for

better field stability tests exists.

The last few years have seen the development of two new tests.

The Extended Column Test (ECT) (Simenhois and Birkeland, 2006)

and the Propagation Saw Test (PST) (Gauthier and Jamieson, 2006;

Sigrist and Schweizer, 2007). Both aim

to investigate the fracture propagation potential of the

snowpack. This is a critically important part of the avalanche puzzle

since avalanche release requires both fracture

initiation and fracture propagation along the weak layer. Not only are

these tests useful for stability evaluation, but they allow us to better

investigate some of the factors associated with fracture propagation

in the field, such as changes in slab depth, snow surface warming,

and fracture propagation mechanics in weak snowpack layers.

The motivation for developing the PST and the ECT

differed. Investigators developed the PST primarily as a

fracture propagation test. On the other hand, the ETC

was developed as a stability test. As with all stability tests,

the primary goal of the ECT is to discriminate between

stable and unstable slopes. Although not a pure fracture

propagation test, the ECT does help to index the fracture

propagation propensity of buried weak layers.

kARL BIRkELAnD

whAT IS ThE ect/ pSt?

For the most up to date / relevant original work on the ECT you

might want to refer to:

http://www.fsavalanche.org/NAC/techPages/articles/08_ISSW_EC-

Tupdate.pdf

or

http://www.fsavalanche.org/NAC/techPages/articles/07_TAR_

ECT_Update_Simenhois.pdf

and for the PST:

e.g. http://www.ucalgary.ca/asarc/files/asarc/PstValidation_

Issw09_Ross.pdf

or

http://schulich.ucalgary.ca/asarc/files/asarc/PstCompared_Issw08_

Gauthier.pdf

“Dr J. Hendrikx researching the new TST (teeth stress test) that measures the strength of surface crusts.”


30 CRYSTAL BALL

New Transceiver Training Plots

A few years ago Jef Desbecker, BCA and the Mountain Safety Council teamed up on a new initiativeto install transceiver training plots at ski fields in the Southern Lake region. After many winters of good service the original plot at the Remarkables Ski Field, has now been up graded. In the spirit of “clean/green NZ” we have “recycled” the old system and are currently re-installing it at Porter Heights Ski Field. Although it’s not quite the shiny new set up it once was, with a little love, care and kiwi ingenuity I’m sure that it will serve many more years helping people practice their skills.

The Remarkables ski-patrol laying out their new BCA Transceiver Training Plot.

From the MSC, a big THANK YOU to BCA and Jef for their great work and support in ensuring that the New Zealand public have these facilities available. This also extends to the ski areas (Remarkables, Cadrona, Treble Cone, Porter Heights and Mt Cheeseman) for their commitment to keeping these facilities open and running throughout the winter.

A few years ago Jef Desbecker, BCA and the Mountain Safety Council

teamed up on a new initiative to install transceiver training plots

at ski fields in the Southern Lake region.

After many winters of good service the original plot at the

Remarkables Ski Field, has now been up graded. In the spirit of

“clean/green NZ” we have “recycled” the old system and are

currently re-installing it at Porters Ski Area. Although it’s not quite

the shiny new set up it once was, with a little love, care and kiwi

ingenuity I’m sure that it will serve many more years

helping people practice their skills. From the MSC, a big THANK

YOU to BCA and Jef for their great work and support in ensuring

that the New Zealand public have these facilities available. This

also extends to the ski areas (Remarkables, Cadrona, Treble Cone,

Porters Ski Area and Mt Cheeseman) for their commitment to

keeping these facilities open and running throughout the winter.

new trAnSceiver TRAInIng PLoTS

The Remarkables ski-patrol laying out their new BCA Transceiver Training Plot.

Blake Harrington and David Trippet, P iedra Blancas G lacier, Argentine Patagonia.

MIKEY SCHAEFER

B l a c kD i amondEqu ipmen t . c om

Travelling in The backcounTry?

Creek Grange ACE Ltd Avalanche control supplies

Creek Grange ACE Ltd Orautoha, R D 6, Raetihi, 4696

Phone: 0064 6 385 4235 Contact: Allan Tod: 0064 274 437 327 Dave Craig: 0064 274 344 438 Email: [email protected]

Photo: ACE Round firing from a Nitro Express at Mt Hutt

Exclusive Suppliers of:-

ACE Rounds — New Zealand designed Avalanche Control Explosive Rounds. ACE Rounds have been proven efficient and accurate.

Also suppliers of:-

Dyno Nobel product from North America

Full product range of avalanche control supplies available in both North & South Island

Training available for:-

Approved Handler Licence

Controlled Substance Licence

[all training overseen by Qualified Assessors]


32 CRYSTAL BALL

CAn A CLIEnT Save your life?

MAnuEL gEnSwEIn, MEILEn, SwITzERLAnD

how To TEACh SoMEonE To fInD You, fASt.

The efficiency of companion rescue with minimal training has been

proven in real accidents as well as in large scale field tests where

participants with almost no prior rescue experience have been

trained in three standardized training modules of 45min. Below the

segment of companion rescue by professionals or recreational users

who venture on their own into the backcountry, there is the large

group of clients from commercial guiding, off-piste and helicopter

skiing organizations.

Concerning the level of training, available training times, mental and

physical preparedness as well as average age, this group is very

different from non-commercially guided back country users.

The likelihood of the first person entering the slope to trigger an

avalanche is proven to be considerably greater than for the rest of

the group. Despite this, there is only little effort in training guests

in rescue and confidence that they will ever be able to save a

guides life.

In a field test including guests of commercial ski- and mountain

guides the potential level of efficiency was determined during three

days in standardized rescue scenarios. The guests were trained in

one 15min practical workshop. Then, guests were separated from

their guides with the task to search and excavate as a group effort

two buried subjects in a 50m x 80m field.

Based on the outcome of the rescue scenario, the content

of the 15min training session has been optimized in order to achieve

the greatest possible rescue efficiency. Data collected in the field

included times for coordination; times for each individual phase of

the search process as well as the different stages of excavation,

plus photos and video documentation.

Results show rescue by commercial guests is efficient and

residual survival chances are surprisingly high even in a scenario with

two buried subjects. By emphasizing “Safety“, some commercial

operators create expectations that are difficult to fulfil in the context

of ski touring, heliskiing or off-piste skiing. This does not help the

clients’ mental preparedness for an accident.

The motivation to train their clients is partly due to their own

interest and partly due to laws concerning product liability. In

countries with harsher product liability laws the training of clients

is implemented more thorough than in countries where those laws

barely exist. Another interesting fact is the diverging opinion among

guides as to the usefulnes of training their clients. Some guides

highly value a good base education also for their own good in order

to be rescued. Others just hang an avalanche transceiver around

the neck of their clients and have resigned themselves to never

having a hope of being rescued by them. Because of the hopeless

attitude of the latter group, typically their clients don’t get equipped

with probe and shovel, which makes a rescue basically impossible.

The combination of probe, shovel and transceiver – called personal

rescue equipment - forms the base of an efficient rescue. This holds

true even for commercial back country operators. In this context, the

potentially rapid availability of rescue equipment – e.g. Helicopter

aided companion rescue by heliski companies – is not enough of an

excuse to fail in outfitting each client with their individual personal

rescue equipment.

The topic of training and equipping clients appears especially

important, if one considers that statistically it is the first person

to enter a slope, that has clearly a higher probability to release an

avalanche than subsequent persons.

how MuCh TRAInIng IS REALISTIC AnD ADEQuATE

Central to this discussion is the amount of time needed to

adequately train the clients. The treshhold for clients and guides

is rather low compared to non-commercial groups, where education

is a substantial part of the work for a guide.

After extensive enquiries with many commercial guiding, off-piste

and helicopter skiing organizations (daily and weekly operators)

in regards to an “acceptable” amount of time allocated for client

training, the choice for an adequate and practicably possible time

frame was 15 minutes. For those operators who have always valued

fundamental training, this may appear quite short. For those guides

that have “just hung the transceiver around the clients’ neck”, each

minute appears to be too much. Ultimately the 15 minute time frame

meets the requirement for “acceptance“ and “usefulness“.

Especially those who see the situation in a rather pessimistic light

might put a little more importance into adequate training and

personal rescue equipment for clients once they see the rather

convincing test results.

Increasing client training time from 15 to 30 minutes would with

great likelihood not significantly increase rescue efficiency. In the

additional time no great advantages in search and rescue techniques

are achieved. A valuable addition would be a short practice of a

rescue scenario. Within the chosen time frame it is technically

possible to learn search/location strategy for multiple burials

by applying the „marking“ feature

Practical traininG module

The 15 minute training module included the following content:

General goal and overview with Search procedure, shovel and

probe

Basic handling of transceiver; Off-send-search

Practical search with explanation of each search phase

Signal search; move, find signal


the likelihood of the first person entering the slope to trigger an avalanche is proven to be considerably greater than for the rest of the group

34 CRYSTAL BALL

Course search; move in direction of arrow

Fine search; approach slowly and precisely

Pinpoint search with spiral Probing

Evacuation with V shaped Conveyer concept

results

All participants were clients of commercial ski- and mountain

guides as well as ski instructors. For the field test the clients were

separated from their guides. 83 clients participated in 14 groups.

The knowledge of the clients was varied, mostly however they were

beginners. The average age of 53. 17 clients were older than 65 years.

Guides were instructed not to hold any special educational lessons

prior to the test. At the time of the test clients knew each other for

a couple of hours up to a couple of days.

The biggest time lag resulted between the completed excavation

of the 1st buried subject and the start of the fine search for the 2nd

buried subject. Those rescuers who did not locate and mark the 1st

buried subject themselves confessed often great difficulty in

physically removing themselves from the 1st buried subject and mov-

ing towards the 2nd buried subject, as the distance indication

on their transceiver increased.

discussion and conclusions

The field test results prove that there exist very realistic survival

chances within a commercially guided group if the main group

member, the guide, is part of the buried victims. The surprisingly

short search times make it clear, that short and efficient guest

training makes sense. The common opinion, that a guest is not a

deciding factor to ensure the survival of the guide, is hereby not

accurate and has clearly been proven wrong. A specifically positive

result is the fact that despite the short training time, the second

buried subject was located and excavated in all scenarios. Clearly

this result can be attributed to the technically advanced transceivers

with marking function. Problems arose for the rescuers that did not

mark the 1st buried subject while transitioning to locate the 2nd

buried subject. Those problems indicate that transceivers could

further be improved.

A basic requirement to achieve above results is to always outfit

clients with modern rescue equipment which is adequate for the

respective user group (Probe, shovel, transceiver with “marking“

function. The author recommends that instructors use the guidelines

and search- and rescue techniques outlined in this paper when train-

ing their clients.

The full paper can be downloaded at Avalanche.net.nz/research or

www.genswein.com

1ST BuRIED SuBJECT

2nD BuRRIED SuBJECT

fASTEST ExCAvATIon

SLowESTExCAvATIon

4:20min 22:30min

6:48min 27:00min

1000

900

800

700

600

500

400

300

200

100

0

6:39MIN

11:55MIN

15:43MIN

1. VERSCHUTTETER FREIGELEGT

START FEINORTUNG 2.VERCHUTTETER

2. VERSCHUTTETER FREIGELEGT

Table 2: shows the fastest and slowest times measured.

1st buried subject free

start fine searcH 2nd buried subject

2nd buried subject free

time (seconds)

Fig 1: 14 groups of 83 clients reached the following median times for

locating and completely excavating the buried subjects. Table 2 shows

the fastest and slowest times measured.

The people who are experienced in supplying quality emergency and medical products

To view our comprehensive range of Emergency Care and Patient Management equipment we invite you to visit our Web site:

www.frontmed.co.nz

Or call us on free phone 0508 414 564 (available 24hrs, 7 days a week)

2nD BuRIED SuBJECT 6:48min 27:00min


36 CRYSTAL BALL

The recent Coroners Courts concerning New Zealand’s avalanche

deaths last year, plus the recent accidents at Mt Hutt have drawn

intense media interest and have highlighted the issue of “safety

equipment” for the avalanche industry. Helmets, Airbags and the

Avalung are increasingly in the spotlight. The Department of

Labour stipulates that an employer not providing adequate

personal protective equipment (PPE) is in a potential breach of the

Employment Relations Act, due to not taking “All practicable steps”.

So far, the Department’s focus appears to be on helmets, but

Airbags and Avalungs could also be considered in this category. In

the situation of a principal/contractor relationship, the principal does

not need to provide the contractor with PPE, but may require the

contractor to provide their own. They could also be held accountable

for not ensuring that they do so. This is an area that needs more

work and clarification. In light of all this, articles focusing on the

different PPE options will be featured in the next issues of the

Crystal Ball. The first of these is on AIRBAGS.

The concept of terrain management and avoidance of all avalanche

involvement is of course the main focus of teaching and training.

But when discussing an avalanche involvement, current thinking is

justifiably based around the assumption of a total burial. Teaching

and training are focused on devices and concepts to address this.

Common rescue devices aim at shortening the duration of a

total burial (a transceiver) and/ or prolonging the survival time during

a total burial (an AvaLung). The survival in relation to burial time

graph (pictured), the statistical model that much of our thinking is

based around, reinforces the expectation of total burial. The critical

difference between the safety equipment available is that Airbag

devices are aiming to prevent or reduce the extent of burial. This in

effect smoothes out or extends the “death kink” (at 18mins) in the

Brugger-Falk graph.

A reliable analysis, conducted by the Swiss Federal Institute of Snow

and Avalanche research (SFISAR), of the documented avalanche

accidents where avalanche airbags were used, showed of the persons

involved, 97.5% survived the accident.

Avalanche airbags have been on the market since 1985 in the form of

the “Mono Airbag”. The emergence of the dual ABS Airbag system,

the “Avagear” rescue vest and the “K2 Avalanche Ball” were

extensively tested in 2000/01 by the SFISAR and found that Airbags

help keep the victim on or near the surface of an avalanche. By

avoiding or reducing full burial times the mortality rate is

greatly reduced. The principle behind the operation of these devices

is based on the phenomenon of inverse segregation in granular

flows. In essence larger blocks are drawn to the surface. The airbag

increases a person’s volume by up to 1.5 times. Studies on

involvements with people wearing airbags show that although the

victim does not always end up on the surface, the rescue time is

significantly decreased by either a shallower burial or a visual clue in

the form of the brightly coloured airbag. Some models also have a

self deflation function which provides an air pocket and or reduces

the pressure on the chest if the victim is buried.

Where the victim is not buried there is still a chance of serious injury

or death from trauma caused by the slide. Airbag technology helps

to reduce the effect of trauma by cushioning the body and

stiffening the spine and some models fully encase the head.

However, despite the effectiveness of airbags, they don’t replace

good judgment, training or experience. An avalanche transceiver is

still an essential piece of equipment, as are the shovel and probe.

A critical wait-and- see attitude towards Airbags has been prevalent

amongst backcountry travellers who use the argument that their

success has not been proven. Now there is strong evidence, which

counters this kind of thinking. However, there are still the usual

arguments such as the Airbags price, weight, and “never putting

oneself in such a high risk situation anyway”.

There is a slight sense of de ja vu after hearing accounts of similar

sentiment following the introduction of the avalanche transceiver in

the early 1970’s. However, Airbag use is growing. This season in New

Zealand, a snowboarder survived a size 2 avalanche by deploying

their recentlypurchased Airbag.

There are half a dozen Airbags being manufactured internationally

and each one offers its own benefits. Here in New Zealand Airbags

are available from Snowpulse and BCA.

woRTh AnoThER Look?

The supporting research data is available at

www.mountainsafety.org.nz/research

AirBAgS

• Helpspreventfullburialintheeventofanavalanche

• Hasbeenshowntodecreasemortalityrateto3-4%*

• HeadOnToptechnology(H.O.T)helpskeepyourheadupandyourbodyuprightintheavalanche

• H.O.T.alsoincreasestraumaprotectionforthehead,neckandchest

• 15litre,30litreand45litreversions

AvailableinNewZealanddirectfromSNOWPULSENZ

Formoreinformation-www.snowpulse.ch-snowpulsenz@gmail.com-021909315

*Ref:Brugger/Faulk,Analysisofavalanchesafetyequipmentforbackcountryskiers.

AnDREw hoBMAn


despite the effectiveness of airbags they don’t replace good judgement, training or experience

Survived Dead

82

64

177

3

Not buried Partly buried Completely buried (Airbag on surface)

Completely buried Degree of burial(Airbag on surface) unknown

17

314

38 CRYSTAL BALL

In late 2009 the Canadian and United States Avalanche

Organisations adopted a new model for the Avalanche Danger Scale.

One of the objectives was to make the system risk-based. A risk-

based system means that some measure of probability and

consequence has been considered in the process. In 2007, a group

of Canadian and American avalanche forecasters and researchers

began to work together to revise the Avalanche Danger Scale. Their

first task was to clarify the terminology and definitions of avalanche

hazard, danger and risk. They came up with the new structure

(below) and also applied images and numbers to each danger level.

The same images are used throughout Europe, making this system

an international standard. The Snow and Avalanche Committee will

discuss the possible adoption of this system, in New Zealand, at

their next meeting.

nEw noRTh AMERICAn danger Scale

“a ton of work went into tHat tHinG,

includinG consultinG witH many dozens

of avalancHe forecasters, researcHers

and risk communication exPerts. for

sucH a simPle lookinG scale, it Has a lot

of researcH beHind it.” – GrAnt StAthAm

(IFMGA), Mountain Risk Specialist, Parks Canada

North American Public Avalanche Danger ScaleAvalanche danger is determined by the likelihood, size and distribution of avalanches.

Travel AdviceLikelihood of Avalanches

Avalanche Sizeand Distribution

Avoid all avalanche terrain.

Very dangerous avalanche conditions. Travel in avalanche terrain not recommended.

Dangerous avalanche conditions. Careful snowpack evaluation, cautious route-finding and conservative decision-making essential.

Heightened avalanche conditions on specific terrain features. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully; identify features of concern.

Generally safe avalanche conditions. Watch for unstable snow on isolated terrain features.

Natural and human-triggered avalanches certain.

Natural avalanches likely; human-triggered avalanches very likely.

Natural avalanches possible; human-triggered avalanches likely.

Natural avalanches unlikely; human-triggered avalanches possible.

Natural and human-triggered avalanches unlikely.

Large to very large avalanches in many areas.

Large avalanches in many areas; or very large avalanches in specific areas.

Small avalanches in many areas; or large avalanches in specific areas; or very large avalanches in isolated areas.

Small avalanches in specific areas; or large avalanches in isolated areas.

Small avalanches in isolated areas or extreme terrain.

Safe backcountry travel requires training and experience. You control your own risk by choosing where, when and how you travel.

Extreme5

High4

Considerable3

Moderate2

Low11

2

3

54

54

Danger Level

Annually we can expect 20 – 30 avalanche incidents with somewhere

between 4 to 20 of them requiring a co-ordinated Search and Rescue

(SAR) responses. On average, a major avalanche incident occurs

every 3 – 5 years. Last season, several people lost their lives due to

avalanche incidents. In response to these tragedies, the New Zealand

SAR Secretariat hosted a workshop to look at the management and

co-ordination of search and rescue for avalanche incidents. The work-

shop was held in Twizel over 1 - 2 June 2010. 48 highly experienced

people attended the workshop. They represented a wide range of

interested organisations including LandSAR, Mountain Safety

Council, ski field operators, heliski operators, NZ Mountain Guides,

Police, DoC, NZ Transport Agency, St John and the Rescue

Coordination Centre. The workshop covered a wide range of related

topics including: Avalanche SAR case studies, Coordinated Incident

Management System for avalanche SAR, risk management during

avalanche SAR, electronic aids and new technology to assist

avalanche SAR, avalanche SAR communications, avalanche

SAR individual training & standards, and avalanche rescue team

training and exercising. The workshop culminated with an in depth

look at pre-plans for avalanche SAR. The workshop proved to be a

great success both in terms of acquiring and sharing knowledge but

also in developing a common understanding about planning for and

delivering an effective search and rescue response to avalanche SAR

incidents. It also provided a good networking opportunity for the at-

tendees most of whom have significant search and rescue respon-

sibilities relating to avalanche SAR incidents. The material from the

workshop including the presentations and notes of the discussions

are available online at: http://www.nzsar.org.nz in the Training and

Workshops section.

AvALAnChE SEARCh AnD RESCuE woRkShoP 2010

DiScovermore, SAfelY

know BEfoRE You go!

The Fine Line DVD - NEW!

16mm Avalanche Education Film 1 feature film plus 4 training films.

Avalanche Awareness in the New Zealand Backcountry - 2008

Penny Goddard’s interesting and informative publication delving into

the science and awareness of the avalanche terrain across Aotearoa.

Staying Alive in Avalanche Terrain - 2008

Technical skills, practical advice and common sense approaches to

dealing with avalanches. By Bruce Tremper

CRYSTALBAll 2010

nEw zEALAnD MounTAIn SAfETY CounCIL

AvALAnChE magaZinevoLuME 19

DunCAn fERnER

Pocket Snow Density Gauges

35, 70 &100cm Folding Snow Saws

Snow study kits, Crystal Cards, Digital Thermometers and more.....

Now Available at MSC online store:www.mountainsafety.org.nz

37 CRYSTAL BALL

40 CRYSTAL BALL

BCA

Tracker avalanch

e transceiver train

ing parks are open

and available to all

backcoun

try enth

usiasts at fi

ve New

Zealan

d resorts. Ask th

e ski patrol for details at R

emarkables, Cardron

a, Treble Cone, P

orters or Craigieburn

. N

Z D

istributor – B

CA@

Sportive.co.n

z Ph

03 34

89 725

Visit w

ww

.mou

ntain

safety.org.nz

Crystal ball issue 19 vol 4 aug 2010

Documents

Transcript of Crystal ball issue 19 vol 4 aug 2010