Using a prepacked bag, multimedia and over a decade of training, local avalanche expert Jonny Bomber led a group of more than 20 participants through a backcountry skills workshop at the Haines Borough Public Library on Monday.
According to Bomber, Alaska is second only to Colorado in avalanche-caused fatalities. The states’ mountain regions are most prone to the natural disaster because of weak snow pack and activity on backcountry terrain.
“An avalanche is basically a combination of unstable snow, terrain and poor decisions,” Bomber said. “A commonality among pretty much every avalanche accident is that people make really bad decisions.”
In a two-hour workshop, Bomber led participants through survival gear, avalanche factors, evaluating snow pack stability, recognizing dangers and mitigation strategies.
The deadliest type of avalanche- coined the “slab avalanche”- happens when a layer of stronger snow covers a layer of weaker snow, and the stress of the top layer cannot be supported by the bottom layer.
Most avalanches occur on slopes between 30-45 degrees, Bomber told the room, although “37 degrees is the magic number- most slab avalanches happen at 37 degree slopes.”
Bomber suggests using the measuring application on the iPhone that can determine slope degree simply by holding the device up against an angle.
Aside from additional gear like a beacon, shovel, probe, food, water and satellite phone, Bomber recommends skiers and boarders choose a partner with a comparable skill level, check forecasts and make sure to tell someone where they are going.
For local forecasts before heading into the backcountry, check alaskasnow.org/haines. Bomber said that the Haines Avalanche Center also encourages recreators to report backcountry conditions to help with forecasting, via a portal on their website.
The “Live to Ride Another Day” clinic was free and open to the public, sponsored by the Department of Public Safety, Alaska State Troopers and Haines Avalanche Center.