Q & A: Safe Winter Travel with ACMG Guide Matt Peter
Personally speaking, I find getting out into the mountains in the winter (especially with a baby on board!) so much more intimidating than in the summer. I am always nervous about the cold temperatures and avalanche hazards. Luckily, I married a Mountain Guide who has made it his life’s work to help people explore the mountains safely. I asked my hubby, Matt, to answer a few questions about winter travel and safety to help us all feel more confident adventuring in the winter time.
Matt and 5-month-old, Juniper, out for a day of ski-touring.
How to recognize and avoid avalanche hazards?
Avalanches need slopes over 25 degrees to initiate, but can run down into less steep terrain from above. Wind and sun exposure complicate the hazard picture. Low-angled, treed areas are the terrain of choice in the winter. If you are venturing into open terrain (where there are no trees, or you can easily see up through the trees) then you want to be sure that you are not in an avalanche run-out zone. Often you can see this with a bit of pre-trip research by looking on Google Earth, FatMap or Gaia. The satellite imagery can show where the trail crosses big obvious open avalanche slopes. Better yet, if you are traveling on a trail in a National or Provincial Park, the terrain will be rated based on the Avalanche Terrain Exposure Scale (ATES). Stick to Simple Terrain: Exposure to low angle or primarily forested terrain. Some forest openings may involve the runout zones of infrequent avalanches. Many options to reduce or eliminate exposure. No glacier travel.
Where can I go to learn more about avalanches and safe winter travel?
The best resource for learning about current avalanche conditions is the Avalanche Canada website. If you are interested in having a more hands-on learning experience, then taking an Avalanche Skills Training level 1 course is the first step in formal training. This is the course where you’ll learn how to recognize avalanche terrain and how to companion rescue. There are many excellent providers in all of the local mountain towns, many of which are listed on the AvCan website (the curriculum of the AST courses is owned and managed by AvCan).
There are also many Facebook groups and pages that post local conditions and safety recommendations. The Kananaskis Country Public Safety and Banff National Park pages are great resources for those adventuring in the Bow Valley.
Should I invest in specific gear for emergencies? If so, what?
If you plan to venture into avalanche terrain, then it’s imperative that you have an avalanche transceiver, probe and shovel, as well as the training to use these tools. I would endorse more of an avoidance plan, so you can enjoy the beauties of the winter without a huge time and cash outlay.
That said, you still need to be ready for emergencies. A small first aid kit, some repair gear for the things that you are using (i.e. wire for snowshoe bindings, hose clamps for pole splinting, etc.) and a packable tarp are a minimum. In winter specifically, I include a piece of a foam sleeping pad (3mm thick/3’ long). Being able to insulate from the snow is absolutely critical in an emergency situation. As well, this pad doubles for trailside diaper changes and snack time!
I always have the means to communicate with the outside world. More often than not, a cell phone will do! - Just be sure that the area that you are going has coverage (which you can find out here). If you are ranging further afield, a satellite communicator is an excellent tool. InReach is the go to currently, with Zoleo gaining traction. Both are expensive upfront and have a subscription cost, but when you need to talk to the outside world in an emergency, those investments seem like a bargain.
What are key items to have in my pack for winter travel?
Beyond the first aid, tarp, repair gear, foam pad and communication tools, I want to ensure that we will all be comfortable for the day. Eye and head protection is critical, whether from wind or sun. Sunglasses, a warm hat and a sun hat are always at the top of my pack. Warm hands are equally important, so gloves (and an extra pair!), as well as chemical warmers (ie. HotShots Hand Warmers) always make it into the bag. When I’m planning the day with our little one, I think about what warm layers I need, then I pack one warmer layer than I think is necessary.
A thermos of warm drinks goes a really long way in colder temperatures. Food/snacks need to be simple to bite and chew, as it’s often tough to eat when things are really cold!
How can I deter wildlife?
Make sure to travel in a group and make some noise as you go. I still carry bear spray in the winter, not for bears but for curious elk! Animals will sometimes be reluctant to leave the packed trail, so don’t be afraid to turn back if a big moose or elk won’t move out of the way!
Thanks to Matt for taking the time to share this info with us! If you have more questions, submit them to us via email or Instagram, and we’ll do our best to get you an answer.