The Avalanche Handbook

by David McClung

Overview

A complete update of the leading text for avalanche courses worldwide

• More than 75,000 copies sold of previous editions
• New chapter on risk management
• Includes new photographs and updated illustrations

The Avalanche Handbook needs no introduction. For this new fourth edition of the course-adopted and internationally recognized book, David McClung has completed an in-depth review and update of the entire text, as well as consulted outside experts in explosives, search and rescue, and other key topics. Comprehensive sections cover the formation, character, effects, and control of avalanches; avalanche terrain and forecasting; safety and rescue; risk management, preventive and protective measures; and more.

Technical yet accessible and with extensive photos, illustrations, graphs, and charts throughout, The Avalanche Handbook will continue to be essential reading for avalanche professionals and serious winter backcountry adventurers.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781680515398
Publisher:	Mountaineers Books, The
Publication date:	01/04/2023
Edition description:	4th ed.
Pages:	368
Product dimensions:	7.25(w) x 9.00(h) x (d)

About the Author

Dr. David McClung is Professor Emeritus in the Department of Geography at the University of British Columbia. He has been doing avalanche research and consulting for over 50 years in Canada, the United States, and Norway. He lives in Vancouver, British Columbia. Visit him online at geog.ubc.ca/avalanche/index.html.

Table of Contents

Foreword to the Third Edition 8

Preface to the Fourth Edition 10

Introduction 13

Chapter 1 Character and Effects of Avalanches 15

Avalanches as a Natural Hazard 15

Industries Affected 16

Unique Character of Alpine Snow 17

Time-Dependent Vulnerability 18

Trend in Avalanche Fatalities 21

Trend in Fatalities in North America 21

Asia's 8000-Meter Peaks 21

Effects of Climate Change: Future Trend 22

Effects of El Nino and La Niña 22

Engineering Protection, Avalanche Zoning, and Avalanche Control 23

Future Risk 25

Chapter 2 Elements of Mountain Snow Climates and Weather 26

Mountain Weather and Snow-Climate Types 26

Mountain Wind and Precipitation 28

Convergence: Upward Motion around a Low-Pressure Area 31

Frontal Lifting 31

Orographic Lifting 32

Convection 32

Quantitative Precipitation Forecasts 32

Orographic Precipitation Models 33

Local Wind Flow Over Mountain Terrain 33

Blowing and Drifting Snow 36

Lee-Slope Deposition: Avalanche and Cornice Formation 37

Heat Exchange at the Snow Surface 40

Penetration of Heat into Alpine Snow 41

Interaction of Radiation with the Snow Cover 42

Temperature Inversions 44

Chapter 3 Snow Formation and Growth in the Atmosphere and Snowpack 46

Snow Crystal Formation and Growth in the Atmosphere 46

Classification of Newly Fallen Snow Crystals 49

Surface Hoar: Formation and Growth Conditions 52

Snowpack Temperatures and Temperature Gradients 55

Disappearance of Branches: Initial Changes in Dry, Newly Fallen Snow 56

Dry-Snow Metamorphism in the Seasonal Snow Cover 58

Crystal Forms in Dry, Seasonal Alpine Snow 58

Growth of Crystals around Crusts in Dry Snow 65

Bond Formation in Dry Alpine Snow 65

Persistent and Nonpersistent Weak-Layer Forms 68

Metamorphism of Wet Snow 68

Snow with High Water Content 69

Snow with Low Water Content 70

Classification of Wet Snow 72

Bond Melting and Formation in Wet Snow 72

Chapter 4 Avalanche Formation 75

Types of Avalanches 75

Deformation in the Alpine Snowpack 75

Components of Shear Strength of Alpine Snow 91

Shear-Failure Properties of Snow 92

Loose-Snow Avalanche Formation 96

Snow-Slab Nomenclature and Fracture Geometry 99

Characteristics of Dry Slab Avalanches 100

Dry Slab Avalanche Formation 103

Snow Temperature Effects in Avalanche Forecasting 108

Note on Mechanics of Human Triggering by Skiers, Snowboarders, and Snowmobiles 108

Wet Slab Avalanche Formation and Forecasting Wet Slabs 110

Ice Avalanches 113

Slush Avalanches 114

Roof Avalanches 115

Appendix 4A The Applied Rules of Avalanche Formation 116

Chapter 5 Avalanche Terrain, Motion, and Effects 119

Definitions 119

Starting Zone Characteristics 120

Track Characteristics 126

Runout Zone Characteristics 127

Terrain Analysis 128

Identification of Avalanche Paths 131

Avalanche Motion and Effects 133

Scale and Size 139

Impact Pressures 140

Debris Recognition and Description 144

Runout Distances 146

Return Period of Avalanches 149

Avalanche Frequency from Vegetative Clues 150

Influence of Climate and Terrain 151

Terrain Variables Related to Magnitude 155

Hydrological Aspects of Snow Avalanches 156

Effects of Avalanches on Glacier Mass Balance and Glacial Debris 156

Chapter 6 The Elements of Applied Avalanche Forecasting 159

Forecasting and Avalanche Forecasting 159

The Seven Elements of Avalanche Forecasting 160

Appendix 6A Common Biases or Decision Traps in Avalanche Forecasting 172

Chapter 7 Classes of Factors Involved with Evaluation of Instability and Forecasting 176

Evaluation of Instability 176

Nature of Factors 176

Asymmetry of Usage within the Classes 177

Data Collection 178

Analysis 179

Class I Instability Factors 181

Class II Snowpack Factors 193

Class III Meteorological Factors 208

Character of Data Types 218

Regional and Local Forecasting 218

Conventional Avalanche Forecasting 219

Numerical Avalanche Prediction 220

Expert Systems 221

Example of Avalanche Forecasting 222

General Stability and Hazard Ratings 222

Chapter 8 Risk Management for Snow Avalanche Applications 224

Definitions 224

Subjective Probability and Bayes' Theorem Applied to Avalanche Forecasting, Hazard, and Risk 225

Schematic for Risk Management 227

Applications 230

Chapter 9 The ABCs for Backcountry Avalanche Forecasting and Decisions 236

Philosophy and Backcountry Avalanche Forecasting 236

Decision-Making Levels 238

The ABCs: Sections 238

Appendix 9A Risk-Reduction Factors (Basic Level) 254

Appendix 9B Classes of Forecasts and Their Trend for Backcountry Travel (Intermediate and Basic Levels) 255

Chapter 10 Safety Measures and Rescue 256

Education Methods 256

Avalanche Safety Programs 258

Equipment 258

Precautions When Traveling 259

Survival Chance in an Avalanche 263

Reaction by Survivors 265

Transceiver Search 268

Probing 273

Caring for the Avalanche Victim 274

Evacuation 274

Organized Rescue 275

Training Rescue Personnel 281

Most Likely Burial Areas 282

Probe Lines 282

Avalanche Rescue Dogs 286

Other Search Methods 287

Chapter 11 Avalanche Protection 289

Definitions 289

Making a Decision 290

Preventive Road Closures 292

Preventive Ski Run Closures 294

Avalanche Detection Systems 294

Evacuation 295

Land-Use Restrictions 295

Minimizing the Risk by Design 298

Stabilization by Compaction 300

Avalanche Control by Explosives 301

Application of Explosives 305

Other Avalanche Triggering Methods 316

Engineering Works 316

Forest Control 325

Control of Wind-Transported Snow 326

Acknowledgments 330

Appendix A SI Units 331

Appendix B Snow, Avalanche, and Weather Observations 334

Appendix C Advanced Snow Crystal Classification Systems 337

Appendix D Snow Avalanche Size Classification 345

Appendix E Recording Avalanche Events 349

Appendix F Danger, Stability, and Hazard Rating Scales 350

Appendix G International Avalanche Classification 353

Appendix H Examples of Common Explosive Control Procedures 355

Appendix I General References 360

Index 362

Editorial Reviews

New edition under new (Canadian) editorship--since the US has phased out research on the phenomenon. A more international flavor is apparent here and major enlargement of such subjects as snow metamorphism, its shear strength, release mechanisms, motion, effects, prediction. The definitive English-language work. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Booknews

Perhaps the definitive book on snow science and avalanche mechanics…The authors' credentials are impeccable.

Off Piste

"The revised third edition of 'The Avalanche Handbook'… could well save your life"

Pittsburgh Tribune