Walker, climber or skier, avalanches are a major consideration for all winter hill-goers. Ben Gibson, Mountain Safety Advisor for Mountaineering Scotland, and Jon Jones, Head of Mountaineering at Glenmore Lodge, explain the 'Be Avalanche Aware' guidelines, which have been devised to enable people to make their own informed judgments at every stage of a winter journey.
The article shows someone abseiling down a collapsed cornice 'safely, after a few freeze-thaw cycles' - the thing is, the vast majority of us are weekend warriors, and will have had no idea when the cornice slumped, and thus the stability of it. It would be dangerous to make assumptions on stability like that.
The ‘Be Avalanche Aware’ guidelines are a crucial resource for anyone venturing into the mountains during winter. They empower individuals like walkers, climbers, and skiers to make informed decisions and assess risks effectively. It’s a proactive approach to ensure that enthusiasts can enjoy their activities while minimizing the dangers associated with avalanches.