Category Archives: Avalanche Safety

Blending rational and intuitive decisions

Posted on June 6, 2012 by Matteo

It did happen to me many times. Whether I was part of an expedition in a remote corner of Greenland or just touring with my friends around Chamonix, there was at least one person in the group who had a … Continue reading →

Posted in Avalanche Safety, Splitboard Trips | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Low risk and high consequences in the Cosmique couloir

Posted on May 27, 2012 by Matteo

The Cosmique couloir is one of the classic Chamonix ski descents: 800 m long, steep, sustained, and constantly very exposed. Although in the past it was considered extreme skiers only territory, today’s insane Chamonix standards have progressively pushed people’s limits … Continue reading →

Posted in Avalanche Safety | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Gear review – Snowpulse Airbag

Posted on May 20, 2012 by Matteo

Rucksacks with an airbag system are designed to increase the chances of survival if you are caught in an avalanche. They contain an airbag that is inflated with a pressurized gas canister. If you are about to be caught in … Continue reading →

Posted in Avalanche Safety | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Simpler the process, richer the experience

Posted on May 12, 2012 by Matteo

My friend Daniele and I learn through experience, and like to share what we learn. We are inspired by wild landscapes, and excited by the opportunity to experience the planet by foot, bicycle, snowboard, rope, sailing boat, kayak, or any … Continue reading →

Posted in Avalanche Safety, Splitboard Tours | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Winter at full speed

Posted on January 28, 2012 by Matteo

When at the beginning of December I made the wish about a very cold winter season full of precipitations, I would have never thought Mother Nature would have listened to me and responded so quickly. Once somebody said to me: … Continue reading →

Posted in Avalanche Safety, Splitboard Tours | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Avalanche Safety – Hazard evaluation and forecasting

Posted on February 23, 2011 by Matteo

If at some stage you decided to start (there is a good chance you won’t finish it) reading a proper book, written by proper avalanche professionals about avalanche safety, these are the definitions you will encounter. Avalanche hazard evaluation is … Continue reading →

Posted in Avalanche Safety | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Avalanche Safety – Travelling in avalanche terrain

Posted on February 21, 2011 by Matteo

Among all the numerous skills and incredible amount of knowledge required to correctly forecast, assess and deal with avalanche hazard, being able to read terrain features and therefore recognize avalanche terrain is certainly the most important one. In other words, … Continue reading →

Posted in Avalanche Safety | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Avalanche Safety – The mountain snowpack

Posted on February 17, 2011 by Matteo

Welcome to Avalanches 101. What is an avalanche? Avalanches come in all shapes, sizes and forms and similar to the snow crystals they are composed of, no two slides are exactly alike.  They may contain dry snow, wet snow, ice, … Continue reading →

Posted in Avalanche Safety | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Avalanche Safety – Introduction

Posted on February 14, 2011 by Matteo

Although in my posts I often make quick references to snowpack stability and consequent avalanche danger, I recently realised that so far I haven’t been writing anything about avalanche assessment and forecasting, by far THE most relevant aspect when travelling in the backcountry. It’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Avalanche Safety | Tagged , , | Leave a comment