Lawinensicherheit

Following an accident involving pro rider Nick McNutt, whose avalanche transceiver failed to transmit in an avalanche, Pieps and Black Diamond are calling on users to regularly check the functions of their avalanche transceivers, including all mechanical parts. In particular, you should check the switches of the latest generation of DSP Pro and Sport, see photo on the right. The older (DSP Pro, old version) and newer models ("BT") have different switches.

The vastness of the internet is not only full of funny cat and dog videos, but often also good instructional videos on the subject of winter sports. Here is a compilation of videos about snow and avalanches, with recommendations from the snow rummager.

Avalanche warning products often only refer to the "classic spring situation". But what are the "non-classical" spring situations? There are three of them, which we will discuss in more detail in the next SnowFlurry. But to start with, let's look at the most common of the four different snow cover scenarios in spring.

The large, long-established Pieps LVS Pro BT and Powder BT (formerly DSP Pro and Sport) now have siblings: The little twins Micro BT Sensor and Micro BT Button. As the names suggest, the two differ in terms of sensor and button operation. The inner workings of the Micro BT Sensor and Micro BT Button are otherwise identical. We took a closer look at the BT Button.

When it comes to safety equipment, not only the avalanche transceiver is important, but also the probe and shovel. Good equipment is available from many suppliers. The important thing is that you like the way it handles and that you get on well with it. As we all know, rescuing your comrades in an emergency is crucial for survival and every second counts.

Due to the current situation caused by COVID 19 and the resulting curfew, we snow rummagers are also staying at home and using the time to share old, interesting profiles or technical knowledge with you. If you refresh and expand your snow and avalanche knowledge now, you will be all the better equipped for the next season - because it is sure to come.

Hazard pattern 4 - cold on warm, warm on cold - occurs when there is a large temperature difference (more than 5°C) during the snowing process or between the snow surface and the fresh snow. As the name suggests, it can occur in both temperature directions, regardless of whether it snows cold on a warm surface or vice versa.

Apparently, a new type of avalanche prevention device was announced at the ISPO in Munich. The AvyScanner is a small radar that scans the snow cover.

The Euregio Avalanche Report has brought some innovations to the world of avalanche warnings since 2018/19. These include the function of highlighting or dimming areas with a certain avalanche problem - perfect for getting a quick overview of weak layers in old snow.

The ConditionsReports (CRs) are a central component of PowderGuide and a great help to many freeriders when planning their next powder trip. Without the effort of all ConditionsReporters who write down their impressions concerning snow quality, snow quantity and snow stability during theirs trips, this would not be possible. That's why we want to invite you to become part of the ConditionsReporter team.

Tour planning proved to be rather difficult last week, as an old snow problem in the terrain is not easily recognizable. This makes it all the more important to use your head when planning at home and choose a suitable tour carefully.

BCA and ARVA will each be launching a new avalanche transceiver next season, although these are more likely to be overhauled versions of familiar models than fundamentally new inventions. The various airbag systems remain unchanged and are merely packaged in new colors. The only completely new feature appears to be a microwave scanner that records "snow profiles".