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Public Avalanche Bulletins
CLICK ON THE MAP ABOVE to view the CAC Public Avalanche Bulletin (PAB) webpage. The PAB is like a road report for the mountains.
EVERYONE should access this information before going riding!
Below is a screen shot of the South Columbia Avalanche Forecast from Mar 10/08.
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Note the NEW AND ENHANCED features. These excellent features were added during the winter of 2008.
- Sub-regions in the Hazard Rating Chart – improving the quality of data by reducing the size of the forecast regions.
S.Selkirks and the Monashees (western) vs. The Purcells (eastern) - Color Map of the new Sub-Regions – in the top right of the forecast report
- Confidence – the level of confidence is primarily related to the forecaster’s confidence in the weather forecast. (If the actual weather varies much from the forecasted weather, then the PAB may have mis-judged the avalanche hazard.)
- Primary Concerns – a summary of the problem layers (this section is necessary as the avalanche problems are unusually complicated for 2007-08 and a novice user can get lost in the text.)
- Glossary Links – click on highlighted technical terms for detailed descriptions and images. Very useful as a FREE training tool.
- Next Scheduled Update – this date ensures that no-one accidentally uses stale bulletin information
- Recently Reported Avalanche Incidents – these reports are specific to the Bulletin area selected.
Click HERE to view a report from an snowmobile incident from Monitor Creek
This photo, included in the report, shows the full path of the Size 3 slab avalanche (large enough to bury or destroy a truck or small building.)
FREE email service
The CAC offers a FREE EMAIL service for the PAB.
To subscribe please send an email to forecaster@avalanche.ca with your email address and name. Indicate the geographic regions that you would like to receive info for.
Simple, text-only emails are sent to ensure that you always have easy access to the most current information, including Special Warnings. Click here to view an example of a Special Warning issued March 2008Take advantage of this feature and keep in touch with the ever-changing conditions. Not only will this FREE service prepare you for your backcountry trips, but you will also grow your avalanche experience and vocabulary by noting the significant events and trends in the weather and avalanche cycles. Learn to identify the significant weather patterns and start to develop your own snow interpretation ability.
We highly recommend that you take advantage of this service.CAF Gala Dinners
Rescue on Everest – Gala Dinner
Enjoy a great evening out and support public avalanche safety in Canada by attending a Canadian Avalanche Foundation Gala Dinner this February.
- Whistler, BC on February 22, 2008
- Calgary, AB on February 23, 2008
For details related to the CAF fundraiser dinner please click HERE.
www.avalanchefoundation.ca
The guest speaker for both Galas will be Andrew Brash presenting “Rescue On Everest.” Andrew is a Canadian teacher and climber based in Calgary, Alberta . In 2006, Andrew took part in an expedition to the North Ridge of Mt. Everest and was involved in the rescue of Lincoln Hall, an Australian climber who had been pronounced dead high on the mountain. Lincoln was left by his climbing team after he contracted cerebral edema and was thought to be dead. Andrew’s team was the first to discover him the following day. Realizing he was still alive, Andrew’s team made the only decision they could, to give up their summit bid only 200 metres short of their goal in order to save Lincoln . This action was in direct contrast with the David Sharp (U.K.) incident some 10 days previous when more than 40 climbers passed by David on their way to the summit as he lay dying. David did eventually succumb to the elements and the mountain. The contrast of the two events captured headlines around the world. The story led the national news in Australia and Canada, and was featured on virtually every network worldwide. More information on Andrew Brash can be found at www.andrewbrash.com
Subscribe to Avalanche Bulletins by email
We recommend that everyone take advantage of the CAC’s free Public Avalanche Bulletin email service. Simply follow this link to subscribe.
Subscribe to PABsThis link will open an email to forecaster@avalanche.ca. Please create a message with your email address and name. Be sure to include all the bulletin regions that you would like to receive.
Be aware, the CAC does not share your addresses with anyone.Reading the avalanche forecasts is an excellent way to keep the avy lingo current and to broaden your snow stability skills. As you read about the weather today, try to guess how it will affect the snow stability tomorrow. Pick up travel hints and terrain identification skills by following the forecasters travel advisories.
2 hour Outreach Seminars - Canadian Avalanche Centre Snowmobile Outreach Program
PLEASE NOTE THAT SOME OF THE DATES AND LOCATIONS HAVE CHANGED!!
If your group or business would like to request or host a presentation in your community, please contact Lori or Amber and we will certainly be pleased to work together.======================================
These 2 hour evening presentations will highlight tools, courses, and resources available through the Canadian Avalanche Centre. This includes appreciation for the value of the Public Avalanche Bulletins, On-line Learning Course, Trip Talk, Weather Products, Recreational and Professional Training programs, and the new AVALUATOR.
The 2 hr CAC presentations are only $25/family to attend and include a free AVALUATOR and a one year Friends Membership to the Canadian Avalanche Centre.
This program is supported by the Canadian Avalanche Centre through an Alberta Government contribution.Donations to the CAC will be accepted and memberships to the CAC for individuals (Friend of the CAC – $20) and organizations (Supporter of the CAC – $200) will also be offered.
Click here to go directly to the CAC website; become a ‘Friend’ or ‘Supporter’
The CAC’s intention is to grow a network of persons interested in the services of the avalanche industry and to build a simple email system to distribute topical and timely information such as Special Bulletin Warnings and new research.
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COMMUNITY POSTERS
Click on the poster above to download a .pdf flyer for all Alberta community presentations.Click on the 2008-09 dates & locations below for community specific details.
PLEASE NOTE THAT SOME OF THE DATES AND LOCATIONS HAVE CHANGED!!
Oct 23 – Leduc, AB
Nov 5 – Medicine Hat, AB
Nov 6 – Lethbridge, AB
Nov 20 – Calgary, AB
Nov 28 – Pincher Creek, AB
Nov 29 – Crowsnest Pass, AB
Dec 3 – Lloydminster, AB
Meeting location:
Sound Obsessions 4520B 44 Street, Lloydminster, SK
Dec 4 – Lougheed, AB CAC presentation & Beacon Seminar
Jan 23 – Red Deer, AB======================================
FOR MORE INFO AND TO REGISTERContact Lori with the names of all persons planning to attend. Please indicate the community and date of the event and include email addresses and phone numbers.
Email: snowmobile@avalanche.ca
Phone: 403-850-3042What is the AVALUATOR??
The Avaluator is a decision making tool. It is a card and guidebook that leads you through gathering information and observations before and during your trip to the mountains. By being more aware of the predicted and actual stability and weather conditions, and looking at this in conjunction with the type of terrain that you are choosing, the Avaluator will help you to acknowledge a recommended level of caution for your planned venture.
The Avaluator is a tool for semi-trained backcountry recreationalists. The proper use of this tool is well explained in the accompanying booklet, however it is recognized that the tool is more useful in the hands of a user that has completed the 16 hour AST Level 1 program.
After selecting the appropriate Bulletin Region for your preferred riding area be sure to click on the SUB-REGION, if applicable. The Purcells, for example, if you are trying to find ratings for Gorman Creek. If you have chosen the wrong sub-region then the terrain ratings will be gray and you will not be able to select them and the star will not appear in the chart on the top right.
Each time that you choose a route or slope from the table, click on the link to the right that says “for more info click here”. Some locations, for example Gorman Creek, do link you to a Google Map. As budgets and forecaster time come available, these links will become more useful.
Follow this link to the Canadian Avalanche Centre for more infomation
Backcountry Avalanche Workshops (BAW)
Backcountry Avalanche Workshop (BAW) Events
Click here to go to the CAC web calendar for 2007-08 Events.
Click here to view the BAW flyer with dates and locations
Sign up at http://www.avalanche.ca for these FULL DAY programs or call 250-837-2141 for more info.
$20/pp includes an Avaluator. Awesome deal!
Public Avalanche Bulletin
CLICK ON THE MAP ABOVE to view the CAC Public Avalanche Bulletin (PAB). The PAB is like a road report for the mountains. EVERYONE should access this information before going riding!
Below is a screen shot of the South Columbia Avalanche Forecast from March 10, 2008.
Note the NEW sections and features:
- Sub-regions in the Hazard Rating Chart – improving the quality of data by reducing the size of the forecast regions.
S.Selkirks and the Monashees (western) vs. The Purcells (eastern) - Color Map of the new Sub-Regions – in the top right of the forecast report
- Level of Confidence – confidence is primarily related to the forecaster’s level of confidence in the weather forecast. (If the actual weather varies much from the weather forecast, then the avalanche forecast may have mis-judged the avalanche hazard.)
- Primary Concerns – a summary of the problem layers (necessary this season as the avalanche problems are unusually complicated and a novice user can get lost in the text.)
- Recently Reported Avalanche Incidents – these reports are specific to the Bulletin area selected. Many reports are near misses. Some contain photos.
- Glossary Links – click on highlighted technical terms for detailed descriptions and images
- Next Scheduled Update – this date ensures that no-one accidentally uses stale bulletin information
These excellent features were added during the winter of 2008.=========================================================
=========================================================
The CAC offers a FREE EMAIL service for the PAB.
To subscribe please send an email to forecaster@avalanche.ca with your email address and name. Indicate the geographic regions that you would like to receive info for.
Simple text-only emails are sent to ensure that you always have easy access to the most current information, including Special Warnings. Click here to view an example of a Special Warning issued Jan 2007Keep in touch with the conditions. Not only will this service prepare you for your backcountry trips, but you will also grow your avalanche experience and vocabulary by noting the significant events and trends in the weather and avalanche cycles.
We highly recommend that you take advantage of this service.
- Sub-regions in the Hazard Rating Chart – improving the quality of data by reducing the size of the forecast regions.
