Snow Pit Basics w/ IFMGA Guide Evan Stevens

[@stan4now]

Thank You Evan, Backcountry and Outdoor Research for Snow Pit Basics. Hopefully more backcountry users will at least do this along with getting forecasts, if not take a certification course. It can save their lives. Too many don't bother with any precautions, even when reminded. (Note the thumbs down and troll comments). Famous last words here in Colorado: "We ski to die!" A lot of us are alive for taking precautions. My mantra: "Any doubt, take the safer route," until the snowpack settles and compaction tests show it. I've lived and skied here since 1975 with 4 seasons at Winter Park and 6 at Loveland on patrol. I was fortunate to have known Jack Mason, Ron Kidder and Dale Atkins who set the standard in taking precautions by the book. With rising global temperatures, more frequent freeze-thaw cycles and increase of seismic activity from fracking, the probability of avalanches has also increased. Airbags, Avalungs, Beacons etc aren't a guarantee that we will survive a slide. Precautions Are Paramount along with Practice, Practice, Practice. Another season will soon be upon us. We need to be safe. Happy Trails Everyone. And thanks again Evan, BC and OR. (NB Nice turns, Evan. It's why we do this, isn't it? Any relation to the Civil War hero and pioneer governor of Washington state for whom the famous Stevens Pass is named?)

[@saureeeegogo]

The problem every snowpit video has is that nobody gives results. I'm not sure if everyone is too scared to give advices wether to go or not but I'll never learn to read it properly before it's too late if it's down to own experience. Like here, would you ski that or not? Was this result a steady snowpack or was it conserning?

[@markjones3425]

Hi Price tag, Ok I get your point...but maybe best to go take a course and be in the snow pack and in the environment with the more experienced folks that can AT THE MOMENT give you your answers and reasons for the answer....its not easy to see from the video or sense the strength of the layers cohesion , this is why you need to go out with someone that has the experience and expertise to learn these finer points that you are indeed capable of understanding and recognizing....good luck!

[@cory8242]

you are correct nor do they tell you how to record the results.. they want you to pay for the courses.. which are good but still should have all the info out in the open

[@floringhisa48]

Mokay...and it's good, it's bad? I don't care at how many taps the snow fails....I care about avalanches. How do I corelate the test with the avalanches?

[@pepin8277]

If you don't understand something as simple as that, you def. do not belong off-piste... You are a danger for yourself and those around you.

[@floringhisa48]

@@pepin8277 Yep...I should study and learn from other sources before looking at a video that should explain it. It makes perfect sense. It's like you go to a a ski lesson for beginners and the instructor refuse you for not knowing to ski.

[@lonesniper939]

​@pepin8277 when did bro say he was gonna use the information to go piste? People like to know things crabby ass motherfucker

[@mikeo6709]

evan is solid. have had enough beers and played enough backgammon with him to know.

[@mikeo6709]

evan is definitely not canadian

[@Ice.asmr5]

I would have love to eat this snow ❄️

[@jameshuntsman6046]

I always carry at lest 3 flavored syrup bottles in my pack. I chose these flavors based off of 3 simple tests. Taste, smell, and color.

[@twoeydad]

Thanks Evan.

[@way2ski]

Hi, I like your overview on compression testing, but I would appreciate a commentary from an expert on what results are a red light for skiing on similar terrain to the test. We use the low/moderate/considerable/high/extreme scale on Mt Washington where I ski, and the moderate to considerable range would be conditions I would red light on, but I don't have a good feel for how that translates from the compression test. Also, the snow rangers only post conditions for the east side the mountain.

[@vitaminb4869]

If you only ski when it's "low" condition, then you're basically skiing ice. What's the fun in that?

[@andysherwood1429]

The east facing aspects typically are more prone to slides bc of their prolonged sun exposure that starts early. South would be second worst in terms of avid danger/exposure. North facing aspects are considered the safer route. Most places give their evaluation of the east facing aspects bc they are the highest prone to avi danger.

[@bradacker6591]

Great video but it should be updated as it does not show an ECT. I also did not like how it did not show the progression from your CT15 on up to 30. Leaves people thinking that you stop at the first failure you find.

[@traderbarry9139]

World Wide Web haven’t heard that in a long time 😂

[@way2ski]

To finish the comment, they don't post conditions where I ski on the west side of the mountain, yet it does slide, so we're more on our own in determining the safety of the terrain.

[@janespencer8319]

Mostly a good video,however a couple comments. The guide in the video says his compression test failed at 5, but it actually failed at 15. He also says, "I like to do the CT because it is kind of the quickest, blah, blah" You should actually chose a test because it is the appropriate test for the "Avalanche problems for the day" not because it is your favorite and you are good at it, or it is easy and quick.

[@rudimatt4218]

He's from bloody New Jersey, he's a typical eastcoast gaper, clueless.

[@profd65]

Lady, shut the fuck up. Nobody cares what your crazy opinion is, especially when it concerns a life and death matter. When you become an IFMGA guide, then go ahead and run your mouth.

[@kootenaybackcountryguides432]

@@rudimatt4218 Evan Stevens is a very respected mountain guide. I would consider how you judge people because of where they are from.

[@kootenaybackcountryguides432]

@@profd65 She actually brings up a good point. I wouldn't insult her like that. Jane is correct in the fact that you should always use the test that gets you the best information. Some guides and professionals develop favourites over time and use some more than others.

[@profd65]

@@kootenaybackcountryguides432 And I REALLY don't care what your opinion is either, dumb ass. Even IF the woman said something that wasn't totally full of shit, somebody coming to this video for education doesn't need ten different persons telling him ten different contradictory things. Are you able to understand that? If you and "Jane" want to try to impress others with your supposed knowledge, go do it somewhere else; upload your own video.