Avalanche awareness can help save your life this winter
By Joe Hathaway on Thursday, November 30th, 2023 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
NORTHEAST OREGON — Now that snow is arriving, folks are getting ready to enjoy their favorite winter activities. If you’re planning on skiing, snowboarding or snowmobiling in the coming months, it’s time to refresh your knowledge on avalanche safety.
Before you hit the mountain tops, keep an eye out for avalanche warning signs. Signs of unstable snow and possible avalanches include recent avalanches, cracking or collapsing, heavy snowfall or rain, wind-blown snow, and rapid warmup are the 5 Red Flags the snowpack is dangerous. https://avalanche.org/avalanche-tutorial/red-flags.php#avalanches
Having the correct tools and knowledge about avalanche safety can make a difference in making sure you make it home safe from your outdoor adventure.
“If you’re buried under an avalanche and don’t have the right equipment, like an avalanche transceiver, then under most circumstances you’re looking at a body recovery,” said Victor McNeil, Executive Director at the Wallowa Avalanche Center. “Preparing ahead of time and knowing the steps you have to take should you come into an emergency situation, can be a matter of life or death.”
McNeil says the Wallowa Avalanche Center works to educate residents of Eastern Oregon on avalanche safety, preparedness and avalanche forecasts.
The Center is holding free avalanche awareness classes in December in Baker City, La Grande and Joseph.
“We’re here to teach people the ABC’s of avalanches. Where avalanches occur and how they occur,” said McNeil. “What we’re really focusing on this year is companion rescue. So, the essential tools that anybody going into the backcountry needs, which are an avalanche transceiver, shovel, and probe and an airbag pack is also recommended.”
McNeil adds, “Let’s say an avalanche has occurred. You’ve got people in your group who are buried. How are you going to use these tools?”
McNeil says three people have died in the past ten years in Eastern Oregon after getting buried in avalanches, 2 skiers and 1 snowmobiler.
“Getting caught in an avalanche is nothing to think lightly of, even if it’s a relatively small avalanche,” said McNeil. “Even if it’s small enough not to bury you, you can still get seriously hurt.”
For information on the Wallowa Avalanche Center’s free classes, please visit their website.
McNeil says the Center is 100% nonprofit and receives funds from donations and its courses.
“Your money is going into our general fund to help run our website, run our forecasting program, weather stations, and free classes,” said McNeil. “We want people to know the steps you need to take to help yourself, to help your friends, your family, whoever you may be with, so first responders can get to you and help get you home safely.
