Self Arrest Snow Skills

If you like snow in relation to hiking or you have thought about getting into it, you know that snow travel is never anything to trust or assume that it is safe. It brings dangers one needs to have skills in. It is worth learning though. With the skills learned you can go much farther and have a safer trip.

If you decide you want to explore the hinterlands and backcountry in areas that hold snow late in season or you want to be out in the winter months you need to learn how to self arrest. While this can be self taught, this is one area where taking classes is worth both your time and money. A good start is either a mountain guide service or if there is a local mountaineering club in your area (for example in the Pacific Northwest there is The Mountaineers and The Mazamas).

An ice ax can be a very useful tool in trained hands or a dangerous device when used by an untrained person.

Last year I took training from one of my good friends who is a winter skills instructor for The Mountaineers. A report of our trip/class is here. Before I would cross snowfields but feel very timid and scared as I crossed. I would say that the two things I fear most in the backcountry are snow and water crossings, and for good reason. My biggest chance of being hurt on trips are during those times. I plan to do more training with Steve this coming winter.

Dicentra came across this video made in the UK. It is one of the best produced videos I have come across on this and shows how to self arrest very well.

Don't forget as well to study up on avalanche dangers. For the Western United States you can get up to date information in the winter from Avalanche.org.

Have fun, and be safe this winter!