You want to make smart decisions in avalanche terrain? This book is an incredibly powerful book to help you to accomplish just that. It was recommended reading for a Level 1 Avalanche course (3-day).
The book is densely packed with information and shows you nearly everything you should be aware of wh ...more
This book reads as if Bruce is your AIARE instructor beside you on the slopes. This whole book serves as not just as a how to survive an avalanche but more importantly how to avoid being caught in one in the first place. Bruce has methodically written and rewritten this guide to layout first the bui ...more
As someone who has had some experience in the backcountry, mostly skiing in the Alps, this book opened my eyes to how ignorant I've been and just how careless I've been. Although I *always* go out with my shovel, probe, and beacon, I didn't really know about the conditions that make avalanches more ...more
I would consider it the bible of snow analysis. With everyone going out in the backcountry, it is important to read this book, understand and practice. It will save your life. I cannot stress more that information is power and there is a ton of it in this book. If you ski/snowboard out of bounds or ...more
As a skier who has spent my first seven winters in Alta/Snowbird (Little Cottonwood Canyon, Utah) in the Wasatch range & now have spent seven winters the Jackson Hole, Wyoming in the Teton Range, I can say this book is a must have for backcountry skiers.
I have been caught in an avalanche once, it i ...more
I have attended a few short snow safety courses, which have mostly been about checklists and simple rules on how to stay safe(-ish). These are also covered in this book, but in addition, you actually learn about snowpack, how the layers are formed and how they change over time in different condition ...more
A well-written, frank, and informative overview of the science behind Avalanches and how to avoid them. Touches on terrain management, snow-pack anatomy, mountain weather, climate, tools, techniques and training. Most crucial, though, is the chapter on the human factor that everybody should read, th ...more
A smoother, chattier read than Snow Sense. Covers more ground, particularly with stability analysis, but because it is much longer the information's also less dense (and less pointed). I do think it did a better job of teasing apart the various, almost contradictory, ways snowpack can evolve in resp ...more
This book should be read, studied and re-read over and over again by anyone planning on spending any time in the backcountry; whether that be snowboarding, skiing, sledding, snowshoeing, cross country skiing, bird-watching, etc... I plan to read this again, and again... and again. It would be wise t ...more
At first I found this hard to read, probably because the first part is focused on snow science, which can be complex and boring. But then it shifts to what you can do to keep yourself safe (and around this time I had taken a course so all the stuff started to make sense) and it becomes a great read. ...more
Tremper perfectly balanced readability with dispensing life saving knowledge in essentially the most comprehensive book on navigating avalanche terrain. While it's not a substitute for Avalanche courses and experience in the field, it's a book I read at least every other year as a refresher on vario ...more
Excellent, in-depth avalanche safety overview. Includes avalanche forecasting techniques, terrain management, rescue techniques, and tips on overcoming the "human factor". Humorous and relatively easy to read. The book does repeat itself at times and it seems as though sections throughout the book h ...more
I am only 16 pages in, but Tremper's story of getting caught in an avalanche is gripping and this quote is great: "Earthquakes, meteor impacts, and love may strike without warning, but avalanches usually have obvious signs." ...more
A must-read for anyone who is interested in touring the backcountry. Ridiculous amount of avalanche knowledge in this one. I mostly feel just more stupid after reading this and realizing how little I just know.
Do yourself a favour and keep reading this through your whole life! ...more
Great book! The bible of avalanche references. Practical knowledge to supplement your next backcountry winter travel or avalanche safety course. ...more