The Snowy Torrents: Avalanche Accidents in the United States, 1980-86

by Nick Logan

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• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1884216528
• ISBN13: 9781884216527
• Release Date: September 1996
• Publisher: Colorado Geological Survey Department of Natu
• Length: 265 Pages
• Weight: 1.75 lbs.

Customer Reviews

The Snowy Torrents--Avalanche Accidents in the U.S. , 1980-1

Anyone who is considering or is going to, travel away from developed ski areas or open and maintained highways, over snow by foot, snowshoe, skis, sled, tobbogan, snowmobile, snowcat, by any other possible means, or stay in a snowbound cabin, should purchase this book (and its 3 other editions)and read it. Then before next winter read it again, then before the winter after next read it again, then . . . . . . . Retired after 25 years with the U.S. Forest Service, completion of The National Avalanche School, a few field classes in avalanche awareness, and traveling a thousand or more miles in snow covered mountain ranges, I keep this book close to my desk and read and study it, along with almost every "Avalanche Handbook" I've ever come across. This book relates the consequences of a powerful force which often has serious or fatal consequences. The danger is subtle, the indications of the hazard are difficult to read, but there are potential loaded weapons lying in wait all over those magnificent, beautiful, and inviting mountains. Some are just waiting for a trigger and that could be you. "When I was young and first started in this business it really scared me and made me nerveous, then as I grew older, I learned and became more experienced. I began to think I was understanding the subject and the fear subsided, now I'm getting older and wiser, and I'm getting more nervous all the time" Norm Wilson, world reknowned avalanche consultant, in the Sonora Pass area of the Sierra Nevada, circa 1982, to a class of avalanche novices. My apologies "Nordic Norm", if I didn't get this exactly as you said it."We don't control avalanches, that is a myth, we merely attempt to release snow from slopes at times and places where we can get everyone out of harms way" Approximate quote by Norm Wilson, Edward LaChapelle, Betsy Armstrong, Knox Williams, or Art Meers, I don't recall which, circa 1986.

Learn from other's mistakes

A compelling collection of avalanche incidents which describe the events leading up to each avalanche, diagrams of the avalanche, and an analysis of the cause and how it could have been avoided. These stories drive home the point that avalanches don't just happen to someone else, they can happen to anyone who puts themselves in bad situations. This book can help you recognize and avoid those bad situations. Highly recommended.