Ice climbers might not spend too much time on snow, but they can spend hours exposed to avalanche danger. Many popular ice climbs are situated below major slide paths, and even some approach routes are in avalanche terrain. Knowing which avalanche paths have slid, and when, is an important part of ice climbing safety. The Mountain Information Network allows ice climbers to share ice conditions and information on natural avalanches.
Ice Climbing Atlas Project
We are working in partnership with AvCan ambassador, Sarah Hueniken, and Grant Statham, a visitor safety specialist in Banff National Park, to create a an avalanche atlas of historical avalanche observations from popular climbs. Find our more about this project and see the results here.
Resources for Ice Climbers:
Video: Avalanche safety for ice climbers
Avalanche Canada ambassador Sarah Hueniken and a host of prominent Canadian ice climbers discuss the importance of avalanche safety for ice climbers.
Webinar: Avalanche safety for ice climbers
Parks Canada Visitor Safety Specialist, Grant Statham and ACMG Climbing Guide and Avalanche Canada Ambassador Sarah Hueniken go through some basic awareness and mitigation techniques, discuss preparedness and the use of avalanche rescue gear when climbing; talk about the importance of information sharing and tracking avalanche activity, and finish by teaching you how to estimate the size of an avalanche.
Ice climbers should carry beacons in avalanche areas
Grant Statham, a visitor safety specialist with Parks Canada, is interviewed by Gripped Magazine about why ice climbers should carry essential safety gear and be worried about avalanche safety. Read the article here.