Avalanche Has No Timetable

In the coming days and generally during the winter season, many people will visit the mountains, which beckon with enchanting whiteness. To enjoy the joys of the mountain world, it is necessary to know some basic rules of behavior during the period of avalanche danger, as well as when it is better to postpone the goal to lower-lying areas.

Before heading to the mountains, it is certainly necessary to check the avalanche danger, which is present all the time and everywhere there is snow. It should be noted that information on this is obtained from verified web portals. For the area of Slovenia, these are definitely the Slovenian Environment Agency (ARSO) and the CROSSRISK web portal.



In the latest avalanche bulletin, the avalanche danger above about 1600 m above sea level is CONSIDERABLE, 3rd degree, lower MODERATE, 2nd degree. Moderate danger (2nd degree) is also in the Idrijsko-Cerkljansko area, Škofjeloško, Polhograjsko, and in the higher parts of Zasavsko hribovje. There, steep grassy slopes are particularly dangerous. In the mountains, the snow cover continues to accumulate. Slopes above the forest line are particularly dangerous, where the wind has been transporting snow and building new snow deposits. Even under small load, you can trigger a slab avalanche. In the old snow cover, now hidden under a thick blanket of new snow, weak layers are present especially on shady slopes, which can give way at individual spots under additional load. This can happen especially where there is less new snow due to wind influence. Especially in gullies and on very steep slopes, individual dry and non-cohesive snow avalanches can still occur. Below about 1600 m above sea level, steep grassy slopes are mainly dangerous. Snow and avalanche conditions are very demanding, danger is hard to recognize. When choosing a slope, one must behave very cautiously. (Source: ARSO)

Avalanche danger according to the 5th European scale is 3rd degree or considerable. Considerable also means EXCESSIVE. For this reason, we DISADVISION visiting the mountains until the snow cover stabilizes.



Snow and avalanche conditions will not change much until Friday afternoon. On Friday afternoon, the north wind will already be strong enough to transport snow in many places. On Saturday, conditions will change rapidly. The north wind will transport large amounts of light snow in many places and deposit it on south slopes. The number of dangerous spots with wind-blown snow will increase significantly! The wind will also transport snow in the pre-Alpine and Dinaric hills. Snow and weather conditions will be very demanding due to cold, wind, poor visibility, and avalanche danger. (Source: ARSO)



"Given the tendency of the snow cover and its transformation, I advise you to choose lower-lying areas and completely avoid areas where there is considerable (3rd degree) avalanche danger. For inexperienced individuals, I fully advise avoiding areas with moderate 2nd degree avalanche danger as well. Everyone heading to the mountains, make sure you have the mandatory avalanche triplet with you, do not go into gullies and slopes where there is high risk of avalanche. The snow cover will remain unstable for a few days after snowfall. Do not expose children to dangers," warns PZS expert collaborator Matjaž Šerkezi. At the same time, he critically adds that inappropriate invitations to snow-covered mountains in inadequate clothing such as shorts or even swimsuits have appeared on social networks, which is a very irresponsible act and constitutes a severe form of negligence. In case of an accident, the organizer will bear the consequences.

"Even when the time is more favorable for visiting the mountains, we must not forget full winter equipment - avalanche triplet, ice axe, crampons, and helmet. Of course, we must know how to use all aids. For frequent mountain visitors in winter and enthusiastic ski tourers, I recommend using a backpack with an airbag, a device I hope you never have to use."



Five factors that influence high avalanche danger level and are a red card for hikers



New snow

The vast majority of avalanches are triggered on the first day or two after snowfall. New snow increases avalanche danger, so at that time we rather avoid movement on dangerous slopes or adjust our intention and choose less demanding goals.



Recently triggered avalanches on similar terrain

By far the most obvious sign of danger is recently triggered avalanches on similar or nearby terrain. Therefore, we must pay special attention to areas with comparable exposure, slope angle, elevation, etc.

Cracking and sudden settling of snow cover

Indicated signs of danger are also if during the tour we notice cracks spreading around us, the snow cover suddenly settling, sometimes we can also hear deep "vuuum" booms. All this indicates a high danger that we can trigger a slab avalanche in the vicinity. Cracks can spread hundreds of meters and we can trigger an avalanche even when we are on a gentler section below or above the avalanche-prone slope!



Wind slabs, slabs, and cornices

Wind is a master at "building" slab avalanches. Snow quickly deposits in leeward areas and creates various features by which we can recognize danger.



Rapid warming and rain

Temperature rise, intense solar radiation, and rain soften and weaken the snow cover's cohesion. During daytime thaw (warming due to sun influence), afternoon hours are more dangerous than morning ones.


Basic equipment for visiting snow-covered mountains



· AVALANCHE TRIPLET, consisting of:

TRANSEIVER – for quick search of buried in avalanche,

PROBE – for precise location of buried,

ALUMINUM SHOVEL – for digging out the buried.

· Helmet for head protection against impacts on hard snow, ground, rocks, trees, and other obstacles,

· first aid and bivouac sack,

· mobile phone with full battery. We recommend that the mobile phone is turned off or in airplane mode during the tour to save battery.

"In the Alpine Association of Slovenia, we advise that regardless of experience, you attend courses for safer visiting of snow-covered mountains and avalanche workshops organized by the Alpine Association of Slovenia and individual mountaineering clubs, the Association of Mountain Guides of Slovenia, and the Mountain Rescue Association of Slovenia," concludes Matjaž Šerkezi.



More about safer mountain visiting can be read in the brochure Beware, Avalanche.