Avalanche Safety
Mountains in Winter
© Vertical Media
Avalanches
Avalanches have tremendous force and are a serious threat to the winter travelers. Knowledge is one of the best ways to help you survive.
Loose snow avalanches
Start at a point or over a small area. They grow in size and Quantity of snow as they descend.
Slab avalanches
Start when a large area of snow begins to slide at once. There is a well-defined fracture line where the moving snow breaks away. There may be angular blocks or chunks of snow.
Slab avalanches are often triggered by the victims themselves.
If you are caught in an avalanche:
- Call out right away.
- If snowmobiling, discard all equipment and get away from your snowmobile.
- Make swimming motions.
- Try to stay on top; work your way to the side of the avalanche.
- Before corning to a stop, get your hands in front of your face and try to make an air space in the snow as you are corning to a stop.
- Try to remain calm to conserve oxygen.
If you are a survivor:
- Mark the space where you last saw the victim.
- Search for the victim downslide in a line below the last area seen. If they are not on the surface, scuff or probe the snow with a ski pole or stick.
- Use your ski pole or stick to probe for victim.
- If you find the victim, attempt to free them with a stick a shovel or other digging tool.
- Stay with victim unless help is nearby.
Contact information:
Clark's Fork Ranger District
203A Yellowstone Highway, Cody WY 82414
Tel: 307.527.6921
Wapiti Ranger District
203A Yellowstone Highway, Cody WY 82414
Tel: 307.527.6921
Greybull Ranger District
203A Yellowstone Highway, Cody WY 82414
Tel: 307.527.6921
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