PICTURES FROM AN AVI MORNING
Here are pictures Chris took that kinda show the sequence of what happened one avalanche control morning.
Telemetry data from the previous 24 hours: Wind speeds & directions, precipitation amounts and intensity, and temperatures, etc.
5:30am Data Analysis: The Snow Safety Director finalizes that day's avalanche control plan.
5:50am Morning Meeting: Briefing the crew on that morning's plan.
Daybreak Field Prep: Getting hand charges ready. (photo lightened for clarity)
Patrick drops a charge into a cornice's sweet spot
90 seconds later, Success! Hazard and difficult bowl-entry mitigated*.
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Patrick kick-turns to get a good look at the crown (fracture) of a slab avalanche started by a hand charge he threw from higher up on the ridge.
Check back! We hope to add a little more "story" to go along with these pictures when we get time--hopefully in a few days!
* Keep in mind that mitigated means lessened, not eliminated. Small pockets of avalanche hazard can remain after control work so use good snow sense when traveling in avalanche terrain: Carry a shovel, probe, and transceiver that you're proficient in using, and keep a partner (who has the same equipment and skills) in sight.
