24-25

<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>While most slopes are still bare ground and have no avalanche hazard, there is now some snow in the mountains and that requires considering the potential for avalanches. Treat every steep, snow covered slope as suspect until proven otherwise.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Slides are most likely where wind-loaded snow drifts more deeply in gullies and near ridgelines. Getting caught and carried at this time of year has the added consequence of bouncing off rough underlying surfaces, including rocks and stumps. Early season avalanches in southwest Montana have seriously injured and buried skiers (</span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/accident/12/10/31"><span><span><span><stron… Incident Report</span></span></u></span></strong></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><span><span>), caught and injured hunters (</span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/accident/15/11/06"><span><span><span><stron… Incident Report</span></span></u></span></strong></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><span><span>), and resulted in tragic fatalities (</span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/accident/17/10/12"><span><span><span><stron… Incident Report</span></span></u></span></strong></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><span><span>).&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Remember the basics of avalanche safety as we begin traveling on snow-covered slopes.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<ul>
<li><span><span><span><span><span><span>Beacons, shovels and&nbsp;probes&nbsp;are requisite equipment for each party member. Helmets and airbags are excellent additions.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span><span><span><span><span><span>Only expose one person at a time to avalanche terrain (</span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_d5_vlY-bjg"><span><span><span><span><s… steeper than 30 degrees</span></span></u></span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><span><span>) while partners look on from a safe area nearby.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span><span><span><span><span><span>Watch for red flags that indicate instability, such as recent avalanche activity, cracking and collapsing. If these are present, avoid steep slopes.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span><span><span><span><span><span>If there is enough snow to ride, there is enough snow to slide. Dig down and test the snowpack for instability before considering travel in avalanche terrain.</span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
</ul>

<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Before you get out this season, check over your avalanche gear (</span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://youtube.com/watch?v=Izkv4IIUmbk"><span><span><span><strong><spa…;), refresh your skills by practicing avalanche rescue with your backcountry partners (</span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1xuaaSq4YU"><span><span><span><strong>…;) and sign up for an avalanche class. Our </span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/workshops/calendar"><span><span><span><stro… calendar</span></span></u></span></strong></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><span><span> lists local courses the Friends of the Avalanche Center and other regional providers offer.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>