Avalanche Terrain Quiz

1) Most but not all avalanches (90%) occur on slopes between:

35 and 45 degrees 25 and 50 degrees 0 and 90 degrees 30 and 45 degrees

2) What type of snow is prone to avalanches at lower slope angles?

Dry Hard Soft Windslab Wet

3) Avalanches are more likely to initiate on or near:

Concave features Convex features Sections of uniform slope angle None of these (equally likely for any profile)

4) Which aspect is most likely to develop persistent weaknesses and remain potentially hazardous in winter?

Northerly Southerly Neither Both

5) Which types of slopes are more likely to be hazardous in spring, and at what time of day?

Southerly, at night Southerly, anytime Northerly, late am until night Northerly, at night Northerly, anytime Southerly, late am until night

6) Which of these types of slopes are generally more hazardous and what indicates them?

Lee, trees Windward, cornices Windward, hard surface Lee, cornices Windward, trees Lee, hard packed surface

7) A flag tree is:

A pile of dead wood at the bottom of the slope A tree with a flag hung on it A tree which gets hit by avalanches and looks like it A species of tree

8) Which of these is not a terrain trap?

A steep sided narrow gully A cliff band A crevasse A short steep slope above a body of water A flat run-out below an obvious avalanche track

9) Route selection begins:

When you approach the first non-flat terrain On the climb up For the ski down At the trailhead or parking lot At home

10) To ascend or descend an avalanche slope:

Use the center Traverse back and forth to make the climb easier Use the edge Don't - turn back and go home