Another book about avalanche awareness, some will think when they hear about the new avalanche book by the two avalanche warning experts Rudi Mair and Patrick Nairz. That was certainly my first thought when I heard about the book. But when I read the book "Avalanche. Die 10 entscheidenden Gefahrenmuster erkennen", it quickly becomes clear that the approach to the topic of avalanches and avalanche risk in this book is completely different for the first time!
Recognizing the 10 decisive danger patterns
During their decades of work as avalanche wardens for the Tyrolean Avalanche Warning Service, the two authors Rudi Mair and Patrick Nairz have discovered that almost identical avalanche situations arise again and again during many winters.
Very experienced winter sports enthusiasts often manage to "call up" such avalanche situations, often unconsciously as intuitive knowledge, from their wealth of experience and adapt their behavior accordingly.
Most winter sports enthusiasts, however, lack the experience or even the time to deal with the subject of snow, weather and avalanches in such depth.
Other avalanche textbooks are often very theoretical or even scientifically prepared - and many winter sports enthusiasts find it difficult to memorize and apply the risk management strategies provided (e.g. 3x3 filter and reduction method etc.).
And this is exactly where this book comes in!
Based on the analysis of dozens of avalanche accidents in Tyrol, avalanche accident patterns, so-called hazard patterns (GM), were worked out, which are based on the comparison of the respective snowpack structure in combination with the previous and subsequent weather conditions. The current snowpack structure is always the direct consequence of the previous weather.
The authors identified 10 recurring hazard patterns (GM) that are prone to accidents:
GM. 1 the second snowfall
GM. 2 sliding snow
GM. 3 Rain
GM. 4 Cold to warm / warm to cold
GM. 5 Snow after a long cold spell
GM. 6 Cold, loose fresh snow and wind
GM. 7 Areas with little snow in snowy winters
GM. 8 Snow-covered surface frost
GM. 9 Snow-covered sleet
GM. 10 Spring situation
The respective hazard patterns are classified according to their significance for winter sports enthusiasts, the frequency of their occurrence and their hazard potential.
This book succeeds in putting the reader directly into the respective situation! This makes it possible to understand the complicated subject of snow and avalanches in an unusually direct way. The next time you find yourself in the terrain, you will recognize many of the contents and elements of the book and will then be able to deal with the situation in a much more differentiated way.
The great layout of the book also deserves special praise. Compliments!
