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Backcountry Fever

Avalanche Safety Myths Debunked

Posted on December 1, 2018December 14, 2020 by Backcountry Fever

Nice reminder from Miss Adventure Pants of things we need to pay attention to as we begin this winter backcountry hiking season!

MYTH #1: Avalanches aren’t a big problem in the Lower 48

MYTH #2: Avalanches aren’t a problem for hikers

MYTH #3: Avalanche slopes are obvious

MYTH #4: Staying off steep slopes will keep me safe

MYTH #5: Following the boot pack will keep me safe

MYTH #6: If the avalanche forecast is moderate, I don’t need to worry

MYTH #7: If I’ve taken an avalanche course, I don’t need to worry

MYTH #8: If I have avalanche gear, I don’t have to worry

MYTH #9: Avalanches aren’t dangerous in the spring and summer

MYTH #10: If I’m caught in an avalanche, I’ll outrun it

MYTH #11: If I’m caught in an avalanche, I’ll dig myself out

I couldn’t agree more with her point that “developing your avalanche judgment is an experiential, lifelong endeavor.”  There are so many complex factors involved (from snow to human) that make this such a challenge.

I also think it’s also super important to “choose like-minded companions”.  I’ve snowshoed with a few people that have demonstrated a sketchy sense of avy awareness by some of the choices they were making.  It definitely made me nervous to the point where I will decline future invites from those individuals.

Read the full article here!

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Had to stop and see Amicalola Falls before leaving Georgia. I confirmed a total of 600 steps up the 1/2 mile climb from bottom to top of this 550` waterfall. It was worth the side trip.

#amicalolafalls #amicalolastatepark #amicalola #stateparks #georgia #waterfall #waterfalls #lotsofstairs #lovestairs #legworkout #legwork #notstrenuous #notdifficult #nottoohard #sidetrip #worthit #exploregeorgia #visitgeorgia

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Had to stop and see Amicalola Falls before leaving Georgia. I confirmed a total of 600 steps up the 1/2 mile climb from bottom to top of this 550' waterfall. It was worth the side trip.

#amicalolafalls #amicalolastatepark #amicalola #stateparks #georgia #waterfall #waterfalls #lotsofstairs #lovestairs #legworkout #legwork #notstrenuous #notdifficult #nottoohard #sidetrip #worthit #exploregeorgia #visitgeorgia

The last stop on my End of Summer East Coast Highpointing Tour: Brasstown Bald for #28 of 50

The Arkaquah Trail from Track Rock Gap is like an Appalacian-style hike in the jungle... a bunch of ups and downs through dense foliage and viney rhododendron shrubs. Turned out to be another 12-mile day RT with about 3,400 of gain. Not bad for the highest point in Georgia.

#arkaquahtrail #trackrockgap #brasstownbald #brasstownwilderness #georgia #statehighpoint #highestpoint #tallestpeakingeorgia #tallestpeak #lookouttower #lookout #tower #summit #summitchaser #highpointing #highpointers #peakbagging #peakbagger #appalacianstyle #hiker #hikerlife #hikega #notreallygoatworthy #cherokeecountry #cherokee #jungleforest #wildrhododendrons

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The last stop on my End of Summer East Coast Highpointing Tour: Brasstown Bald for #28 of 50

The Arkaquah Trail from Track Rock Gap is like an Appalacian-style hike in the jungle... a bunch of ups and downs through dense foliage and viney rhododendron shrubs. Turned out to be another 12-mile day RT with about 3,400 of gain. Not bad for the highest point in Georgia. 

#arkaquahtrail #trackrockgap #brasstownbald #brasstownwilderness #georgia #statehighpoint #highestpoint #tallestpeakingeorgia #tallestpeak #lookouttower #lookout #tower #summit #summitchaser #highpointing #highpointers #peakbagging #peakbagger #appalacianstyle #hiker #hikerlife #hikega #notreallygoatworthy #cherokeecountry #cherokee #jungleforest #wildrhododendrons

The trails through the forests of the East are so green! The only downside is that they all kinda look the same.

#greenforest #lushcanopy #pisgahnationalforest #appalachianmountains #humidclimate

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The trails through the forests of the East are so green! The only downside is that they all kinda look the same.

#greenforest #lushcanopy #pisgahnationalforest #appalachianmountains #humidclimate

White markings on the trees (called blazes) marked the Foothills Trail to Sassafras Mountain in South Carolina. Blue blazes marked the Mt. Mitchell Trail to that summit in North Carolina. I wonder if that`s where the term "blazing the trail" comes from 🤔

#whiteblazes #foothillstrail #blueblazes #mtmitchelltrail #blazingthetrail #blazingthetrails #blazethetrail #hikethecarolinas #hikecarolina #hikenc #hikesc #appalachianmountains

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White markings on the trees (called blazes) marked the Foothills Trail to Sassafras Mountain in South Carolina. Blue blazes marked the Mt. Mitchell Trail to that summit in North Carolina. I wonder if that's where the term "blazing the trail" comes from 🤔

#whiteblazes #foothillstrail #blueblazes #mtmitchelltrail #blazingthetrail #blazingthetrails #blazethetrail  #hikethecarolinas #hikecarolina #hikenc #hikesc #appalachianmountains

South Carolina`s highpoint is down in the books now at #27. Took the Foothills Trail for a nice and easy walk in the woods for 9 miles RT.

#sassafras #sassafrasmountain #foothillstrail #statehighpoint #highpoint #highestpoint #tallestpeak #southcarolina #stateline #hikesouthcarolina #hikesc #easyhike #notgoatworthy #peakbagging #peakbagger

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South Carolina's highpoint is down in the books now at #27.  Took the Foothills Trail for a nice and easy walk in the woods for 9 miles RT.

#sassafras #sassafrasmountain #foothillstrail #statehighpoint #highpoint #highestpoint #tallestpeak #southcarolina #stateline #hikesouthcarolina #hikesc #easyhike #notgoatworthy #peakbagging #peakbagger

If you`re ever in Asheville to do the Carolina highpoints, ya gotta stop in at "Hole" for some of the best donuts I`ve ever had. These are as fresh as it gets with them made-to-order... my favorite was Toasted Almond Sesame!

#hole #doughnuts #donuts #holedoughnuts #holedonuts #holedonutsasheville #madetoorder #friedtoorder #asfreshasitgets #frieddonuts #asheville #northcarolina #bestdonutsever #toastedalmond #sesame #sogood #yummy #partyinmymouth #wheninasheville

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If you're ever in Asheville to do the Carolina highpoints, ya gotta stop in at "Hole" for some of the best donuts I've ever had. These are as fresh as it gets with them made-to-order... my favorite was Toasted Almond Sesame!

#hole #doughnuts #donuts #holedoughnuts #holedonuts #holedonutsasheville #madetoorder #friedtoorder #asfreshasitgets #frieddonuts #asheville #northcarolina #bestdonutsever #toastedalmond #sesame #sogood #yummy #partyinmymouth #wheninasheville
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