Tip 1: How not to fall under the avalanche on Mont Blanc
Tip 1: How not to fall under the avalanche on Mont Blanc
Mont Blanc is the highest mountain in the Alps and is known forthe whole world is the center of mountaineering. Unfortunately, avalanches in these places are not uncommon, but you can significantly protect yourself by following a few simple tips.
Going to Mont Blanc, always take with youBeeper - a device designed to search for people who have fallen under the avalanche. This equipment greatly simplifies the work of rescuers, and in some cases becomes the only opportunity to find a person. The bumper operates at a frequency of 457 kHz, so that the signal passes even through a dense layer of snow. Such a device can be bought or rented. Of course, it does not protect you from the avalanche, but it is an important precaution. To reduce the likelihood of falling under an avalanche on the Mont Blanc, carefully choose the time of travel. Most of the avalanches come down after a heavy snowfall, when the new snow falls on the already frozen old one. Especially the risk is high when snowfall occurs at a low temperature. It is not recommended to send to the mountains during a strong wind. Increase the risk of avalanche and severe weather changes. The likelihood of an avalanche is also variable, depending on the month. The safest in Mont Blanc are December and January, the most dangerous are February and March. In February and March, repeatedly falling snow periodically thaws and forms the so-called "snow boards", which are then covered with snow again. A thick layer of snow recrystallizes into large ice needles, on which a new snow mass accumulates. All this at any moment can break off and slide down, sweeping away everything in its path. Before going to Mont Blanc, it is not superfluous to know the depth of the snow cover. The lowest I degree of avalanche is established at snow depths up to 30 cm, II degree from 30 to 50 cm, III - from 50 to 70 cm, IV - from 70 to 100 cm. The highest degree of avalanche danger when going out into mountains is not recommended - thickness snow cover from 120 cm. The easiest way to protect yourself from falling under the avalanche on Mont Blanc - do not go out into the mountains immediately after a heavy relapse, try to avoid small ravines, valleys with steep slopes and gullies. Go on a trip to Mont Blanc safely organized group, accompanied by an experienced climber. Try not to deviate from the paved route. As a rule, such routes are regularly checked by the rescuers for safety, due to which the probability of getting under the avalanche is minimized.
Tip 2: How to protect yourself from avalanches
Recently, with the growing popularity of suchsports like skiing and snowboarding, snow avalanches in the mountains have become a threat not only for climbers, but also for other athletes who are keen on these extreme sports. Knowing the safety rules during the avalanche can save your life and help you avoid danger.
You should know what to flaunt and neglectdanger in the mountains can not, such an attitude borders on stupidity. Loss of caution here can cost lives not only for you, but for those who will be with you on the slope. Going to the mountains, find out the forecast of the Ministry of Emergency Situations: whether there is a danger of avalanches or a storm warning. The snowy surface, which is about to burst, having wetted and weighed under the influence of the sun's rays, has characteristic signs that you should pay attention to. So, an avalanche can come off any minute if you move on skis, and under them cracks or "swims" "Snow, feet fall, under them there is emptiness. At this moment, a deaf echo can be heard, the snow melt settles with a characteristic "hooting" sound, can make a hiss under your feet, meaning that the snow is compacted and begins to settle. Pay attention, when on a sunny slope begin to roll lumps of snow the size of a tennis ball - the snow began to get wet and shrink, gaining a critical mass. Signs of danger are the traces of the recent avalanches, the absence of vegetation on the slope and its presence only in its lower part. The presence of at least one of these signs is an excuse for postponing skating or continuing it in a safer place. When crossing the avalanche slope, observe the following rules: - Pass a dangerous place in the morning or in the evening, when the snow is still frozen, keep the upper part of the slope where there are rock outcrops - Take off skiing or snowboarding, move fast, wide, track one at a time in order to minimize the integrity of the snow cover as little as possible - do not shout or sing so as not to provoke a sound wave that can cause the avalanche to come down, and you do not need to talk so as not to be distracted - clothes and helmets must be worn and whip - first aid kit should be in that group member, which closes perehod.Sobirayas in the mountains, and make sure that, to maximize the degree of safety when an avalanche you do get. Check that all members of your group have radio beacons and that their sensors are compatible with each other. Each participant of the group must have an avalanche of bright red, well-noticeable in the snow colors. One end of the cord wraps around the body and is tied to a solid knot. In case of falling under the avalanche of the second, the free end of the cord, as a rule, carries to the surface.
