The Avalanche Handbook

by David McClung, Peter Schaerer

CLICK HERE to download the chapter on "Backcountry Forecasting & Decisions" from The Avalanche Handbook


* Information on the unique characteristics of alpine snow, snow slab instability, terrain variables, skier triggering of avalanches, and the nature of avalanche motion
* Chapters on the elements of backcountry avalanche forecasting and the decision-making process
* This is the text used by search and rescue professionals, ski patrol groups, and outdoor education programs

Technical yet accessible, The Avalanche Handbook, 3rd Edition, covers the formation, character, effects, and control of avalanches; rescue techniques; and research on understanding and surviving avalanches. Illustrated with nearly 200 updated illustrations, photos and examples, this updated edition offers exhaustive information on contributing weather and climate factors, snowpack analysis, the newest transceiver search techniques, and preventative and protective measures, including avalanche zoning and control.

Genres: Reference, Climbing, Nonfiction, Guidebook, Outdoors

288 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1993

About the author

David McClung is a professor in the Department of Geography and leader of the avalanche research group at the University of British Columbia. He has 35 winters of field experience and has published more than 150 technical articles on alpine snow and avalanches.

Reviews

[Jesse Kessler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok, this might not be for you, but if you want to know anything about cold water in the outdoors, then come visit me and flip through this masterpiece.

Conveniently titled and broken up, clear explanations, loads of photos and diagrams. Every 'textbook' could be a little more like this one.

[M31 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tenía que haberme esperado a la versión para dummies... Libro muy técnico y denso. Orientado más a proceso que a su aplicación real en la montaña.

[Travis · Rating 4 out of 5]

A highly technical, but very readable book about the science behind avalanches, management of them on a large scale and safety in avalanche terrain. Goes beyond what you need to know for backcoutry riding, but great if you like to really get into things.