Snow Cornices: You may not realize you're on one. If they break off quite far back taking all the people on it down the mountain.
Tree Wells: Stay back; falling in one could mean suffocation, ending in death.
Stay on the trails: This keeps you and search and rescue safe.
Tell someone: where you are going and your expected time you'll be home: If you let someone know your trip agenda and fail to message them a back then they can call search and rescue.
Avalanche: Read avalanche conditions www.avalanche.ca/map and take a course: If you read where avalance risks are you can avoid those areas. It's a good idea to take an AST course www.avalanche.ca/training Carry proper equipment: Check on-line and carry the minimum required 10 essentials.
Stay away from tree wells: A tree well is a hole that fills around the lower branches, they can be meters deep and impossible to see; falling in one cold mean suffocation, ending in death.
Never snowshoe alone: The bigger group the better.
Cornice: A snow cornice is a ledge that builds up and usually found on a crest, ridge or gullies of the mountains. They break off quite far back taking everyone who is standing on them.
I would recommend good snowshoes with spikes all around; MSR's are a reasonably priced and are great SS. Poles are great for ascending and descending the trail. Make sure you have SS baskets on them which will help your poles not sink into the deep snow. I bring gloves, toque, minimum the 10-essentials and layer up. DO NOT GO OUT OF BOUNDS!!!! It is not safe and unfair for the many people who would need to volunteer to come and find you.
For a quick introduction to snowshoeing, watch this informational YouTube video (duration: approximately five minutes):
http://www.youtube.co...
Even the best weather can change rapidly, and even the widest trail can be lost. It pays to take a little extra with you, just in case.
NSR recommends taking the following 10 Essentials:
1. Flashlight or a headlamp with extra batteries and light bulb. Green calumet stick as emergency backup.
2. Whistle (we recommend the Fox 40 whistle with a lanyard )
3. Matches (water proof or in plastic bag) or lighter. We also recommend a fire starter and/or a candle
4. Extra clothes , hat or toque, gloves or mittens, fleece jacket, gortex jacket, polypro underwear, good quality hiking socks and gortex over pants.
5. Pocketknife with quality cutting blade. Can saw (optional)
6. Large orange plastic bag and thermal tarp
7. Water (Gatorade crystals recommended) and food (high energy food bars)
8. First-aid kit , should include pocket mask; Sam Splint, bulk dressings, protective gloves, bandage, scissors and blister dressings
9. Navigation: Good quality compass with built in declination adjustment and both topographical and interpretive maps. we also recommend a GPS unit but only as an adjunct to compass and map
10. Communications: Inreach & SPOT: cell phone but you may not have cell service.
Tell someone: where you are going and your expected time you'll be home: If you let someone know your trip agenda and fail to message them a back then they can call search and rescue.
Avalanche: Read avalanche conditions www.avalanche.ca/map and take a course: If you read where avalance risks are you can avoid those areas. It's a good idea to take an AST course www.avalanche.ca/training Carry proper equipment: Check on-line and carry the minimum required 10 essentials.
Stay away from tree wells: A tree well is a hole that fills around the lower branches, they can be meters deep and impossible to see; falling in one cold mean suffocation, ending in death.
Never snowshoe alone: The bigger group the better.
Cornice: A snow cornice is a ledge that builds up and usually found on a crest, ridge or gullies of the mountains. They break off quite far back taking everyone who is standing on them.
I would recommend good snowshoes with spikes all around; MSR's are a reasonably priced and are great SS. Poles are great for ascending and descending the trail. Make sure you have SS baskets on them which will help your poles not sink into the deep snow. I bring gloves, toque, minimum the 10-essentials and layer up. DO NOT GO OUT OF BOUNDS!!!! It is not safe and unfair for the many people who would need to volunteer to come and find you.
For a quick introduction to snowshoeing, watch this informational YouTube video (duration: approximately five minutes):
http://www.youtube.co...
Even the best weather can change rapidly, and even the widest trail can be lost. It pays to take a little extra with you, just in case.
NSR recommends taking the following 10 Essentials:
1. Flashlight or a headlamp with extra batteries and light bulb. Green calumet stick as emergency backup.
2. Whistle (we recommend the Fox 40 whistle with a lanyard )
3. Matches (water proof or in plastic bag) or lighter. We also recommend a fire starter and/or a candle
4. Extra clothes , hat or toque, gloves or mittens, fleece jacket, gortex jacket, polypro underwear, good quality hiking socks and gortex over pants.
5. Pocketknife with quality cutting blade. Can saw (optional)
6. Large orange plastic bag and thermal tarp
7. Water (Gatorade crystals recommended) and food (high energy food bars)
8. First-aid kit , should include pocket mask; Sam Splint, bulk dressings, protective gloves, bandage, scissors and blister dressings
9. Navigation: Good quality compass with built in declination adjustment and both topographical and interpretive maps. we also recommend a GPS unit but only as an adjunct to compass and map
10. Communications: Inreach & SPOT: cell phone but you may not have cell service.