"What should I do?"

For a novices traveling  in avalanche terrain, reducing avalanche hazard boils down to minimizing exposure to avalanche terrain and making sound decisions when venturing into the backcountry. Here are key strategies a novice can employ:

●Get Educated: Enroll in an avalanche safety course to learn the fundamentals of avalanche hazard recognition, terrain assessment, safe travel techniques, and rescue procedures. Formal avalanche education provides foundational knowledge and skills, helping novices understand the complexities of avalanche hazard and make more informed decisions. But, it doesn’t end with a final exam or something similar. Avalanche education is a lifelong process of learning, reviewing, refining, and practicing.

●Consult Experts: Always check the local avalanche forecast before heading into the backcountry. Avalanche forecasts provide valuable insights into current snowpack conditions, avalanche problems, and danger ratings, guiding novices towards appropriate terrain choices.

●Choose Conservative Terrain: As a novice, prioritize low-angle slopes (below 30 degrees) and areas with minimal avalanche risk. Avoid complex terrain features like gullies, steep slopes, and areas with overhead hazard. Stick to well-established trails and routes where the avalanche hazard is generally lower.

●Travel with Experienced Partners: Venture into the backcountry with experienced companions who possess solid avalanche knowledge and skills. Their expertise can guide route selection, terrain assessment, and decision-making, enhancing safety for the entire group.

●Practice Safe Travel Techniques: Implement essential safe travel practices to minimize exposure. Travel one at a time in avalanche terrain, maintaining adequate spacing between group members. Identify and utilize safe zones or islands of safety – areas protected from avalanche runout – for regrouping and transitions.

●Carry Essential Safety Gear: Always carry a beacon, shovel, and probe, and know how to use them effectively. Practice with your gear regularly to become proficient in avalanche rescue techniques. Consider additional safety equipment like an avalanche airbag, which can increase survival chances in the event of a burial.

●Develop a Humble Mindset: Approach avalanche terrain with humility and a commitment to continuous learning. Recognize the inherent uncertainties associated with backcountry travel and avoid overestimating your abilities or underestimating the potential consequences of avalanches. Be willing to adjust plans or turn back if conditions warrant it.

●Communicate Effectively: Foster open communication within your group, sharing observations, concerns, and decisions. Utilize structured decision-making frameworks to facilitate collaborative discussions about hazards and ensure shared understanding.

By prioritizing education, seeking expert guidance, choosing conservative terrain, traveling with experienced partners, practicing safe travel techniques, carrying essential gear, and fostering a humble and communicative mindset, novices can significantly mitigate avalanche hazard and enhance their safety in the backcountry.