| This web page should not give you a false sense of security! You are responsible for your personal safety and the safety of those in your group. You should not venture into the backcountry without first taking a comprehensive avalanche course. Having all the right equipment is great - but you need to know how itworks and how to properly implement it. Help can be hours away when you are recreating in the winter backcountry. Your life depends on your buddies knowing what to do in case of an emergency. Pick your backcountry travel friends accordingly. |
| BACKCOUNTRY ESSENTIALS |
| Do you carry the backcountry essentials? Click on photo to enlarge |
Every year on the Cle Elum Ranger District, people
are hurt or killed in avalanches. Please KNOW
BEFORE YOU GO!
EDUCATE YOURSELF
Attend avalanche classes. Local ski resorts, REI,
and outdoor organizations frequently hold training
classes.
PLAN YOUR TRIP
Check the NW Avalanche Center before heading
out on your trip. Select appropriate routes for the
current conditions. Be willing to change your plans
if avalanche conditions are moderate to extreme.
KNOW YOUR GROUP
Recreate with people who have avalanche training
and are respectful for mountain hazards. Don't
recreate with big egos.
RESPECT INDIVIDUAL CONCERNS
Often times our "sixth sense" knows best. When
you, or someone else in your group, voices a
concern about a route or conditions, heed the
warning and adjust your plans.
REST AND CONGREGATE IN SAFE ZONES
Avoid stopping in areas exposed to avalanche
danger. Sometimes, the most scenic area to have
lunch can also be the most deadly.
BE PREPARED!
Carry and know how to use all your safety
equipment. Before you head out, have a safety
meeting and develop a plan with each and every
person in your party. DO NOT DEPEND ON YOUR
GEAR TO SAVE YOU! KNOW HOW TO USE IT!
are hurt or killed in avalanches. Please KNOW
BEFORE YOU GO!
EDUCATE YOURSELF
Attend avalanche classes. Local ski resorts, REI,
and outdoor organizations frequently hold training
classes.
PLAN YOUR TRIP
Check the NW Avalanche Center before heading
out on your trip. Select appropriate routes for the
current conditions. Be willing to change your plans
if avalanche conditions are moderate to extreme.
KNOW YOUR GROUP
Recreate with people who have avalanche training
and are respectful for mountain hazards. Don't
recreate with big egos.
RESPECT INDIVIDUAL CONCERNS
Often times our "sixth sense" knows best. When
you, or someone else in your group, voices a
concern about a route or conditions, heed the
warning and adjust your plans.
REST AND CONGREGATE IN SAFE ZONES
Avoid stopping in areas exposed to avalanche
danger. Sometimes, the most scenic area to have
lunch can also be the most deadly.
BE PREPARED!
Carry and know how to use all your safety
equipment. Before you head out, have a safety
meeting and develop a plan with each and every
person in your party. DO NOT DEPEND ON YOUR
GEAR TO SAVE YOU! KNOW HOW TO USE IT!
| NW Weather and Avalanche Center Current Season Avalanche Reports DOT TRAFFIC ALERTS Statewide Traffic Cameras |
Travel Safe...Live to Play Another Day!
Be Prepared
Adequate planning and attention to details will make winter travel safer and more enjoyable.
Clothing
Layers which can be adjusted for the conditions are best. Start with a wicking layer next to the
skin. Wool or fleece is an excellent second layer. Cotton is not recommended for winter wear.
Add a good quality wind breaker and wind pants for the outer layer. Always take extra clothing
including socks, mittens, and a warm hat.
Hypothermia
Hypothermia can lead to mental and physical collapse and death when the internal body
temperature lowers too far. The best defense against hypothermia is to stay dry, avoid
excessive fatigue, and maintain energy by eating high calorie foods and drinking plenty of
water. Eating snow provides limited fluid replacement and can further cool body temperature.
Party members should watch each other for symptoms.
Weather
Mountain weather can change very rapidly. Check the forecast before leaving home. Strong
winds and heavy snowfall can reduce visibility. Avoid traveling in a storm. Be prepared for cold
temperatures, precipitation, and bright sun.
Choose a Safe Route
Winter travels are strongly encouraged to attend avalanche awareness training. For example,
snow on slopes 25 and 40 degrees is most prone to slide under the right conditions. Check
the daily avalanche forecast and plan accordingly. Own, carry, and practice with avalanche
beacons, shovels, and probes. U
Use caution at water crossings. Snow bridges and ice on lakes may not hold weight. Cross
these hazards one at a time.
Avoid tree wells. Low branches on a tree create sheltered areas around the tree where a well
of loose snow can form a hole. These can be icy or soft. Falling in a tree well may cause injury
or death, and a person may need help getting out. Tree wells may also form around small
trees which become completely snow covered.
Becoming injured in remote areas is a serious situation. Parties should have adequate first
aid supplies, equipment and survival skills. If help must be summoned, always leave
someone with the injured person. Always be prepared to spend the night. Do not count on cell
phone service or speedy rescue.
Getting Lost
Notify a reliable person of your planned route and time of departure and return. Remember to
check in with that person when you return.
Become proficient at route finding and using a map and compass. Stay on marked trails if you
are inexperienced at traveling off trail. Designated ski and snowshoe trails are marked with
blue diamonds. Snowmobile routes are marked with orange diamonds. If lost, remain calm,
decide on a plan, and do not abandon your gear. Backtrack if possible; if not, seek shelter from
precipitation and wind. Try to stay dry and warm. Always carry waterproof matches, lighter,
small candle or fire starter, knife, first aid kit, flashlight, extra food, and water.
Good Behavior
Many trails are shared with other winter recreationists. Respect and cooperation is necessary
for everyone to get along. Snowshoers should stay out of set ski tracks and create a trail to the
side (snowshoes are made for walking in deep, ungroomed snow). Skiers coming downhill
have the right of way. Be alert for snowmobiles and be prepared to get out of the way.
Snowmobilers, please slow and politely pass by non-motorized users. Mushers (Dog Sled
Team drivers) cannot always navigate their team quickly; all users should give mushers room.
Watch so you don’t become entangled in the lines. If you do, follow the musher’s directions.
When stopping, step away from the main trail to allow others to pass.
Dogs are prohibited on groomed ski trails except on marked portions of the John Wayne Trail
out of Crystal Springs Sno-Park (Dog Sled Route). They can punch holes in the track with their
paws.
Conscientious winter travelers’ pack out whatever they pack in, plus any litter left behind by
others. Avoid leaving human waste near any water source. When the snow melts, buried litter,
toilet paper, and human waste will be revealed.
Be Prepared
Adequate planning and attention to details will make winter travel safer and more enjoyable.
Clothing
Layers which can be adjusted for the conditions are best. Start with a wicking layer next to the
skin. Wool or fleece is an excellent second layer. Cotton is not recommended for winter wear.
Add a good quality wind breaker and wind pants for the outer layer. Always take extra clothing
including socks, mittens, and a warm hat.
Hypothermia
Hypothermia can lead to mental and physical collapse and death when the internal body
temperature lowers too far. The best defense against hypothermia is to stay dry, avoid
excessive fatigue, and maintain energy by eating high calorie foods and drinking plenty of
water. Eating snow provides limited fluid replacement and can further cool body temperature.
Party members should watch each other for symptoms.
Weather
Mountain weather can change very rapidly. Check the forecast before leaving home. Strong
winds and heavy snowfall can reduce visibility. Avoid traveling in a storm. Be prepared for cold
temperatures, precipitation, and bright sun.
Choose a Safe Route
Winter travels are strongly encouraged to attend avalanche awareness training. For example,
snow on slopes 25 and 40 degrees is most prone to slide under the right conditions. Check
the daily avalanche forecast and plan accordingly. Own, carry, and practice with avalanche
beacons, shovels, and probes. U
Use caution at water crossings. Snow bridges and ice on lakes may not hold weight. Cross
these hazards one at a time.
Avoid tree wells. Low branches on a tree create sheltered areas around the tree where a well
of loose snow can form a hole. These can be icy or soft. Falling in a tree well may cause injury
or death, and a person may need help getting out. Tree wells may also form around small
trees which become completely snow covered.
Becoming injured in remote areas is a serious situation. Parties should have adequate first
aid supplies, equipment and survival skills. If help must be summoned, always leave
someone with the injured person. Always be prepared to spend the night. Do not count on cell
phone service or speedy rescue.
Getting Lost
Notify a reliable person of your planned route and time of departure and return. Remember to
check in with that person when you return.
Become proficient at route finding and using a map and compass. Stay on marked trails if you
are inexperienced at traveling off trail. Designated ski and snowshoe trails are marked with
blue diamonds. Snowmobile routes are marked with orange diamonds. If lost, remain calm,
decide on a plan, and do not abandon your gear. Backtrack if possible; if not, seek shelter from
precipitation and wind. Try to stay dry and warm. Always carry waterproof matches, lighter,
small candle or fire starter, knife, first aid kit, flashlight, extra food, and water.
Good Behavior
Many trails are shared with other winter recreationists. Respect and cooperation is necessary
for everyone to get along. Snowshoers should stay out of set ski tracks and create a trail to the
side (snowshoes are made for walking in deep, ungroomed snow). Skiers coming downhill
have the right of way. Be alert for snowmobiles and be prepared to get out of the way.
Snowmobilers, please slow and politely pass by non-motorized users. Mushers (Dog Sled
Team drivers) cannot always navigate their team quickly; all users should give mushers room.
Watch so you don’t become entangled in the lines. If you do, follow the musher’s directions.
When stopping, step away from the main trail to allow others to pass.
Dogs are prohibited on groomed ski trails except on marked portions of the John Wayne Trail
out of Crystal Springs Sno-Park (Dog Sled Route). They can punch holes in the track with their
paws.
Conscientious winter travelers’ pack out whatever they pack in, plus any litter left behind by
others. Avoid leaving human waste near any water source. When the snow melts, buried litter,
toilet paper, and human waste will be revealed.
| Winter Safety |
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| Sno-Park passes and Snowmobile registration tags are strictly enforced. Don't ruin your visit by getting an expensive citation. Remember your passes. |
