Avalanche Safety for Ice Climbers

Photo by Nathan Smith

While planning a trip, do you know what the avy conditions are in the area you’ll be climbing? As you hike the approach and descent, do you know how to read for signs of avy danger? As you climb, do you know what lurks above? Not only do we, as ice climbers, need to know how to read the ice, we also need to know how to assess for and avoid avalanches on the approach, around the climb, and above the climb.

By following these five steps of preparation from the Know Before You Go program, you’ll have a safer climbing experience in avalanche prone areas.

Avalanche Awareness For Ice Climbers

Ice climbers don't only need the knowledge to determine if the ice is safe enough to climb, they also need the skills that will keep them safe from avalanches. Along the approach or hiding high above the route, there might be an avalanche threat that could easily be avoided if you know how to identify the "red flags."