Page 24 - November 11, 2019
P. 24
THE WEEKLY ANCHOR
THE WEEKLY ANCHOR
PAGE 24 MONDAY NOVEMBER 11, 2019 MONDAY NOVEMBER 4, 2019 PAGE 9
Avalanche awareness seminar emphasizes pre-trip planning
by Cassie Kushniruk
With the winter season quickly approaching,
it is essential to remind outdoor
recreationalists—whether skiers, hikers or
snowmobilers—how to practice safety in the
mountains and avoid dangerous situations.
For 10 seasons, Ski-Doo snowmobiles has
hosted free avalanche awareness and avoidance
seminars across Canada to prepare riders for
the upcoming season. With support from
Backcountry Access (BCA), Ski-Doo
snowmobiles' hosted a presentation at Riderz
on November 1 to inform local residents of
safety measure sto take to avoid getting caught
in an avalanche.
Instructor Marshall Dempster, a recognized
avalanche forecaster and educator with 18
years of mountain experience, led the seminar,
focusing on encouraging recreationalists to
make wise decisions when in the mountains. “I
want to try to open your eyes,” he said.“The
presentation this year is heavily based on Recognized avalanche forecaster and educator Marshall Dempster led the Avalanche Awareness
decision making in the mountains; it's designed seminar at Riderz on November 1, focusing on decision making in the mountains and how to avoid
to get you start thinking.” getting caught in an avalanche. photo Cassie Kushniruk
To begin the presentation, Dempster outlined
some key warning signs of a potential
avalanche, including a slope angle of 30-45
degrees, a weak layer and a trigger. “We also
need a heavy snow load,” he said. “We're
concerned about snow if there is more than 30
cm of snow over the course of a day.”
Other factors to be cautious of are heavy
loading within the last 24 hours, rapid warming
and cooling, cracking or hollow sounds in
snow, recent avalanche activity and wind
transportation.
Before even venturing out into the
backcountry, Dempster provided a helpful tip
for identifying potential avalanche hazards
without even stepping outside the door. “When
I start my sled day, I start paying attention right
from when I get up in the morning and look
outside,” he said. “I'm looking to see if there is
snow that is fallen and then my line of sight
goes up to the trees. If there's no snow in the
trees, it's been windy and I know one of the
avalanche problems I'm dealing with right
away.”
Dempster recommended that all
snowmobilers venturing into terrain where
avalanche risk may be present take their AST 1 Leah Scott, Ava Crisler and Alaina Linklater enjoyed fish and chips at the Edson United Church's Messy
course, which provides essential avalanche Church on October 25. This month's theme was 'Seascapes of the Bible'. Reverend Kimberly Roy said,
skills training, trip planning, avalanche rescue, “Messy Church is an un-church, fun experience for the entire family.” The next Messy Church will be held
safe backcountry travel and more. in December. photo Dawn Olsvik
An important step in avoiding avalanches,
according to Dempster, is pre-trip planning.
“This is something I see most recreationalists
don't do very well and some of that is focused
on gathering information, planning where
you're going, looking at maps and having
everyone be on the same page,” he said.
Dempster mentioned Avalanche Canada as an
excellent free resource to utilize when deciding
where to ride, as it provides daily avalanche
forecasts for much of the mountainous regions
of western Canada.
In terms of essential gear for backcountry
riding and avalanche preparedness, Dempster
urged all riders to always carry food, water,
shelter, a shovel, beacon, probe and a device to
call emergency services if need be. “Don't go in
the backcountry without the ability to call for
help,” he said.
Dempster then demonstrated another essential Last Day to drop off a Shoebox is Friday, November 22
piece of equipment for backcountry riding: an
avalanche airbag backpack. “This for me is
mandatory equipment. I won't ride without Shoeboxes are available for pick up and drop off at:
one,” he said.“I'm standing here talking to you The Weekly Anchor, Alberta Treasury Branch and Century 21 Twin Realty
today because one of these avalanche air bags.
It saved my life.” Participating schools are: Yellowhead Koinonia Christian School, Vanier Community
“The first step should be to not be in an Catholic School and Holy Redeemer.
avalanche,” Dempster said. “We should focus
more on making choices that don't put us in Participating Churches: Bethel Pentecostal, Edson Peers Christian Reformed,
avalanches, compared to what we do if there is Edson Baptist Church, Family of Faith,
an avalanche.” Carrot Creek Christian Church, Sacred Heart Parish, Edson Alliance
THE WEEKLY ANCHOR
PAGE 24 MONDAY NOVEMBER 11, 2019 MONDAY NOVEMBER 4, 2019 PAGE 9
Avalanche awareness seminar emphasizes pre-trip planning
by Cassie Kushniruk
With the winter season quickly approaching,
it is essential to remind outdoor
recreationalists—whether skiers, hikers or
snowmobilers—how to practice safety in the
mountains and avoid dangerous situations.
For 10 seasons, Ski-Doo snowmobiles has
hosted free avalanche awareness and avoidance
seminars across Canada to prepare riders for
the upcoming season. With support from
Backcountry Access (BCA), Ski-Doo
snowmobiles' hosted a presentation at Riderz
on November 1 to inform local residents of
safety measure sto take to avoid getting caught
in an avalanche.
Instructor Marshall Dempster, a recognized
avalanche forecaster and educator with 18
years of mountain experience, led the seminar,
focusing on encouraging recreationalists to
make wise decisions when in the mountains. “I
want to try to open your eyes,” he said.“The
presentation this year is heavily based on Recognized avalanche forecaster and educator Marshall Dempster led the Avalanche Awareness
decision making in the mountains; it's designed seminar at Riderz on November 1, focusing on decision making in the mountains and how to avoid
to get you start thinking.” getting caught in an avalanche. photo Cassie Kushniruk
To begin the presentation, Dempster outlined
some key warning signs of a potential
avalanche, including a slope angle of 30-45
degrees, a weak layer and a trigger. “We also
need a heavy snow load,” he said. “We're
concerned about snow if there is more than 30
cm of snow over the course of a day.”
Other factors to be cautious of are heavy
loading within the last 24 hours, rapid warming
and cooling, cracking or hollow sounds in
snow, recent avalanche activity and wind
transportation.
Before even venturing out into the
backcountry, Dempster provided a helpful tip
for identifying potential avalanche hazards
without even stepping outside the door. “When
I start my sled day, I start paying attention right
from when I get up in the morning and look
outside,” he said. “I'm looking to see if there is
snow that is fallen and then my line of sight
goes up to the trees. If there's no snow in the
trees, it's been windy and I know one of the
avalanche problems I'm dealing with right
away.”
Dempster recommended that all
snowmobilers venturing into terrain where
avalanche risk may be present take their AST 1 Leah Scott, Ava Crisler and Alaina Linklater enjoyed fish and chips at the Edson United Church's Messy
course, which provides essential avalanche Church on October 25. This month's theme was 'Seascapes of the Bible'. Reverend Kimberly Roy said,
skills training, trip planning, avalanche rescue, “Messy Church is an un-church, fun experience for the entire family.” The next Messy Church will be held
safe backcountry travel and more. in December. photo Dawn Olsvik
An important step in avoiding avalanches,
according to Dempster, is pre-trip planning.
“This is something I see most recreationalists
don't do very well and some of that is focused
on gathering information, planning where
you're going, looking at maps and having
everyone be on the same page,” he said.
Dempster mentioned Avalanche Canada as an
excellent free resource to utilize when deciding
where to ride, as it provides daily avalanche
forecasts for much of the mountainous regions
of western Canada.
In terms of essential gear for backcountry
riding and avalanche preparedness, Dempster
urged all riders to always carry food, water,
shelter, a shovel, beacon, probe and a device to
call emergency services if need be. “Don't go in
the backcountry without the ability to call for
help,” he said.
Dempster then demonstrated another essential Last Day to drop off a Shoebox is Friday, November 22
piece of equipment for backcountry riding: an
avalanche airbag backpack. “This for me is
mandatory equipment. I won't ride without Shoeboxes are available for pick up and drop off at:
one,” he said.“I'm standing here talking to you The Weekly Anchor, Alberta Treasury Branch and Century 21 Twin Realty
today because one of these avalanche air bags.
It saved my life.” Participating schools are: Yellowhead Koinonia Christian School, Vanier Community
“The first step should be to not be in an Catholic School and Holy Redeemer.
avalanche,” Dempster said. “We should focus
more on making choices that don't put us in Participating Churches: Bethel Pentecostal, Edson Peers Christian Reformed,
avalanches, compared to what we do if there is Edson Baptist Church, Family of Faith,
an avalanche.” Carrot Creek Christian Church, Sacred Heart Parish, Edson Alliance
