Just in time for winter, the Canadian Avalanche Centre (CAC) is introducing two new tools for recreational backcountry users.
The Avaluator 2.0 is its next generation of entry-level decision guidance tools. It:
- Offers a rules-based approach to travel in avalanche terrain;
- Is based on an extensive survey of Canadian avalanche professionals; and
- Incorporates terrain and snow observations.
The CAC Fieldbook is for backcountry users ready to learn more advanced risk management skills. It:
- Is modeled on professional-level methods;
- Provides a systematic approach to avalanche risk management; and
- Guides users to take advantage of all the information available to them.
Both tools are the result of a three-year project funded by the National Search and Rescue Secretariat’s (NSS) New Initiatives Fund. “Avalanche safety is a complex problem,” CAC Executive Director Ian Tomm said in a statement. “The best of our Canadian expertise went into these new tools and we are excited to get them into the hands of users.”
The CAC is a non-profit, non-government agency dedicated to public avalanche safety. Incorporated in 2004, the CAC is funded and supported by a collaboration of federal, provincial and private sector agencies involved in avalanche safety.
For more information about the Canadian Avalanche Centre please visit its website at www.avalanche.ca.