REMEMBER the following acronyms when out in the Sierra during the winter --

"KNOW before you go." and "Go SLOW on the snow."

Where the acronym KNOW stands for ...

Kind of terrain: Will you be traveling on trails, bushwhacking? What is the possibility you'll cross avalanche terrain?

Need gear?: repair kits for your various means of travel (snow-mo, skis, snowshoes, etc.), stove, avalanche transceivers, shovels, avalanche probes, food/H2O, maps, compass/GPS

Overnight contingencies: Are you prepared to spend the night if you have to? Who knows where you're going and when you're expected to return?

Weather: What's it going to do? What's it been doing? (as this has a profound effect on snowpack stability and, consequently, avalanches) If your party is delayed, can you wait it out?

and the acronym SLOW stands for...

Safety equipment: have you got it all? Is it in working order? Do you and EVERYONE in your party know how to use it?

Local knowledge: Talk to locals who know this terrain and have experience with it. They may know if it has a history of sliding. They will also have information regarding recent weather conditions.

Opinion on snow stability: get experienced input. www.avalanche.org has bulletins. USFS will have bulletins. Take a class to enhance your own knowledge. You can't have an opinion if you don't know what you're talking about.

Weather/Wait: Have there been recent storms to add weak layers to the snow pack? Have there been recent dramatic changes in the temperature? What's the Pacific got in store for us? If things don't look great, be sure to wait!

Remember, when you find yourself lost:

• Remain calm
• Call 9-1-1, state your name, where you were when you got lost
• Stay put
• Find safe area to keep warm

Additional Resources

National Park Service

American Hiking Society

High Sierra Hikers Association

Sierra Club

450 Edison Way Reno, Nevada 89502 (775)858-5700 Fax (775)858-5720