Backcountry Safety Basics Part 1: Snow Science

The first installment of the Backcountry Safety Basics series will cover the physics of snow, and how to use that information to make educated and prudent decisions in the backcountry.

[@kootenaybackcountryguides432]

Great job Clayton. This is the best video we have found breaking down how faceting happens.

[@LaureliDesign]

This was excellent! I was looking for a video that explained faceting, which this did beautifully. It also helped me finally wrap my head around the mechanics of avalanche types and what contributes to them. Most helpful avalanche safety video I've ever watched! Thank you.

[@SwiftAnthony]

Thank you!

[@jasdfpasdfakdsjhfa]

Hi Clayton, can you recommend any resources to go more in-depth on snow science? Lots of books try and dumb things down, looking for something to help me develop a more intuitive understanding of snow dynamics

[@beef5030]

Check out MTavalanche. They have in their Playlist lectures on snow science research which go into great detail.

[@greengraycolor]

Great video! Thank you. I missed the explanations behind the effects everyone is talking about, e.g. why wind slabs are likely to avalanche. How about other parts, 2, 3? I only see part 4 on your channel.

[@ClaytonMalott]

parts 2 and 3 should be available on the channel. I hope this series is helpful!

[@greengraycolor]

@@ClaytonMalott yes, strange they didn't show at first. Great content. Thanks again.

[@frankblangeard8865]

Look at the slope. If there is snow on it then the snow might avalanche. Simple.

[@juhatolvanen6372]

Hi, you are showing avalanche from Montana. Its not from Montana, its from Tamokdalen Norway.