Archive:Avaluator1.0
This article is about the old Avaluator, version 1.0. For the latest version, see Avaluator.
The Avaluator is a new decesion making support tool from the CAA. It has two side, once for trip planning and one for slope assessment. This page simply reproduces the decision making model that the Avaluator uses. Data on this page comes from the Avaluator booklet.
The Avaluator is available from MEC and other retailers for $10. It comes with a pocket sized reference card and an information booklet about how to apply the descision making model.
Trip Planning
The Public Avalanche Forecast danger rating and the ATES Terrain rating are combined on a simple table to asses the risk of the trip.
| Simple | Challenging | Complex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Extreme | Not recommended | Not recommended | Not recommended |
| High | Extra Caution | Not recommended | Not recommended |
| Considerable | Normal caution | Extra Caution | Not recommended |
| Moderate | Normal caution | Normal caution | Extra Caution |
| Low | Normal caution | Normal caution | Extra Caution |
Stability Assessment
This part consists of 7 questions that are sometimes refered to as the obvious clue method. 7 Yes/no Questions are posed and the number of Yes responses are added up. The 7 questions form the acronym ALPTRUTh.
- Avalanches
- Recent natural or human triggered avalanche activity
- Loading
- Recent loading by snow, wind or rain
- Path
- Is the slope an avalanche path or start zone
- Terrain
- Is there a terrain trap that increases the consequences of getting caught in an avalanche
- Rating
- Is the PAF Danger rating Considerable or higher
- Unstable snow
- Is there any evidence of unstable snow
- Thaw instability
- Is the snowpack melting due to solar radition and/or warm temperatures.
Add up the number of questions to which the answer is yes.
| # Yes | % of historical accidents at this level and below | Recommended action |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | 0% | Normal caution is advised |
| 1 | 0% | Normal caution is advised |
| 2 | 2% | Normal caution is advised. |
| 3 | 8% | Extra caution is advised. |
| 4 | 23% | Extra caution is advised. |
| 5 | 53% | Travel is not recommended on the slope. |
| 6 | 90% | Travel is not recommended on the slope. |
| 7 | 100% | Travel is not recommended on the slope. |
