Risk Management in Avalanche Terrain and Tour Planning Clinic

633 South Broadway,Boulder CO 80305

29 December, 2022

Description

This hands-on clinic by Colorado Adventure Guides uses the SAM3D model from Ortovox, an interactive learning tool to graphically demonstrate risk management and tour planning. The SAM3D helps to clearly illustrate and better explain avalanche risk factors and their complex causality to beginners and advanced ski tourers alike. This clever mountain model fills the gap between theory and reality in the mountains and simulates the complexity of risk management and tour planning. The SAM3D educational tool can be used to playfully learn the basics of tour planning, focusing on risk identification and avalanche assessment. Groups of participants can practice a variety of scenarios. Information from an avalanche bulletin can be weighed against factors such as slope steepness, slope aspect, and relevant danger areas plotted by participants on the 3D mountain model. Through a variety of exercises, users playfully learn how to choose a tour that fits the conditions. The session is limited to 20 participants but we will allow more to register as possible stand-by participants to fill any no-show gaps. Otherwise, stand-by attendees may just be observers in the exercise.