Different Slopes for Different Folks

Avalanches: They can happen in the Adirondacks

Story by Max Galanty

The skiers, snowboarders and climbers are all enjoying themselves on the Adirondack Mountains this winter. They also share the mountains with those who are snowshoeing and snowmobiling. They ride down the mountainside at zooming speeds. The little kids stick to the bunny slopes, falling and getting up, seemingly in one motion. Father and sons are riding the ski lift back to the top of the slope, watching their breath the whole way up. From the top of the lift a son points out to his father that some snow is making its way down the steep slope. His father's jaw drops down to his collar on his North Face skiing jacket as he watches some skiers on the advanced slope being engulfed by a huge avalanche. In seconds, a number of people that were simply enjoying the day on the mountain are now buried under layers of snow and no longer visible.

The peaks in the Adirondacks are also prone to avalanches. The notion that there aren't any avalanches in the Adirondacks is what makes this mountain range so dangerous. Contrary to what news coverage, or lack there of, suggests, there have been 15 avalanches in the Adirondacks since 1975. The only Adirondack avalanche people tend to know about occured on Wright Peak in February, 2000, when 27-year-old Toma Vracavich was killed.

There are more mountains in the Western United States, which is a big reason why the majority of people think of the west coast when they hear the word avalanche. Avalanches usually happen in steep open terrain, which is why avalanches are not common in the east where there are many trees anchoring the snow down. "There are still avalanches back east, in New York," said avalanche scientist for U.S Forest Service Avalanche Center, Karl Birkeland. There is also more recreational use of mountains in the west, which increases the chance of humans triggering the avalanches.

The Adirondacks could be potentially more dangerous because of the assumptions that people make about the likelihood of an avalanche there. "There has only been one or two avalanche fatalities in the Adirondacks so there hasn't been much attention brought," said Justin Preisendorfer, a snow ranger at the White Mountain National Forest. "There are no avalanche forecasts in the Adirondacks, probably due to a matter of funding," Preisendorfer said.

"The only Adirondack avalanche people tend to know about was on Wright Peak in February, 2000, when 27-year-old Toma Vracavich was killed"

Certain conditions lead to more frequent avalanching, storms and winds being the most dangerous. "Avalanches can range from very small to huge," said Birkeland. They can be five to 10 feet across or even a half of a mile across.

Its important, especially during skiing and snowboarding season, that people are aware of the hazards. "The most important thing to take to the mountain with you is knowledge, basic knowledge of maps, travel and first-aid," said Birkeland. There were 50 North American avalanche fatalities in the 2002-2003 winter season. Depending on how prepared people are before they go to the mountain, there could be just as many this year. The most important factor in determining whether a slope could slide is the steepness or slope angle.

What do you bring to the mountains, if anything, to prepare for an avalanche?

Basic Avalanche Awareness

1. Know basic avalanche rescue techniques.

2. Check the snow depth.

3. Check how much new snow has fallen.

4. Practice safe route finding.

5. Check the degree of the slope.

6. Check the terrain.

7. Carry basic avalanche rescue equipment.

8. Never travel alone.

9. Let someone know where you are going.

10. Do not be afraid to turn around.

11. Use common sense.