The New York Department of Environmental Conservation continues its warning about avalanche risks in the Adirondack Highpeaks region. It has been a mild winter with rain and mild temperatures. Charlie Wise, owner, said, “We make them aware, when we have discussions, of the avalanche risk, especially now in middle-winter conditions.” The DEC continues to warn of avalanche danger following freezing and melting cycles that make snow layers unstable. Kevin Burns (forest ranger lieutenant in the High Peaks area of the New York State DEC) said that conditions can change quickly from 11-below to 55° the next day or large storms. Backcountry skiers, snowboarders, and others should be aware about conditions on steep, open terrain. “Do your homework. Plan your trip. Take a look at the weather forecast. Look at the weather for the past week. What was the weather like? Did we get snow? Did we get a storm? Did we have an ice storm? Burns said. The Mountaineer also offers avalanche safety classes. Wise recommends three essentials in case of an avalanche, which Wise sells in the shop: a transceiver (a probe) and a shovel (all of which are available in their shop). It is important to research how to use them before you set out. “If you’re not proficient in doing a fine beacon hunt, or finding an individual beneath the snow, or extracting them using a shovel, then that equipment is just deadweight in your pack,” he said. The DEC noted two skiers who survived an earlier avalanche on Wright Peak, and had potentially life-saving knowledge. Burns stated that both individuals took the time practice using their gear before they went up the slide. I believe that was what saved their lives.
After mild temperatures and rain, New York Department of Environmental Conservation continues warning about avalanche risks in the Adirondack high Peaks region.
The Mountaineer, a specialty gear store for outdoor gear in Keene Valley has been busy. Locals and tourists alike have been heading to the high peaks.
Charlie Wise, owner, said, “We make them aware, when we have discussions, of the avalanche risk, especially now in middle-winter conditions.”
The DEC continues to warn about avalanche danger, following freezing and melting cycles, which render snow layers unstable.
Kevin Burns, lieutenant forest ranger with the New York State DEC in High Peaks said that the temperature can change from 11-below to 55 degrees next day or large storms. All these factors have an impact on how conditions evolve.
Backcountry skiers and snowboarders need to be aware of conditions on steep, open terrain.
Do your research. Plan your trip. Take a look at the weather forecast. Look at the weather for the past week. What was the weather like? Did we get snow? Did we get a storm? Did we have an ice storm? Burns said.
The Mountaineer also offers avalanche safety training. Wise recommends three essentials in case of an avalanche, which Wise sells in the shop: a transceiver (a probe) and a shovel (all of which are available in their shop). He also stressed the importance of doing your research on how to use them prior to heading out.
He said, “If you don’t know how to do a fine beacon search or locate an individual under the snow or extract them with a shovel or shovel, that equipment will be dead weight in your backpack.”
The DEC notes that two skiers survived an avalanche at Wright Peak earlier in the month and had potentially life-saving information.
Burns stated, “Both of them took the time to practice using the gear before they went up onto the slide and I believe that’s what saved both their lives.”