Staying Alive in Avalanche Terrain: The 10 Commandments of Low-Risk Travel

Bruce Tremper, the undisputed godfather of avalanche safety and author of Staying Alive in Avalanche Terrain (published my The Mountaineers) offers up his 10 Commandments of Low-Risk Travel. While these tips are incredibly valuable, I suggest you give his book “Staying Alive in Avalanche Terrain, 3rd Edition“ a read as it’s the go-to resource for pre-winter study in my mind.

Here’s what it’s all about: The more you know about snow stability, the better your travel and rescue skills. And the sharper your decision making, the better you’ll be able to avoid avalanche danger and have more fun in the winter backcountry. In Staying Alive in Avalanche Terrain, 3rd Edition, acclaimed snow and avalanche expert Bruce Tremper provides easy-to-understand avalanche safety tips and skills, including the latest snow research and techniques for evaluating snow pack, as well how to rescue companions in the event of an avalanche.

Now here's Bruce’s 10 Commandments of Low-Risk Travel

FIRST COMMANDMENT: THOU SHALT GO ONE AT A TIME—AND LEAVE SOMEONE IN A SAFE SPOT TO PERFORM THE RESCUE

SECOND COMMANDMENT: THOU SHALT NEVER CROSS ABOVE OTHERS

THIRD COMMANDMENT: THOU SHALT HAVE AN ESCAPE ROUTE PLANNED

FOURTH COMMANDMENT: THOU SHALT CROSS HIGH ON THE AVALANCHE PATH

FIFTH COMMANDMENT: THOU SHALT NEVER GO FIRST

SIXTH COMMANDMENT: THOU SHALT START SMALL AND WORK YOUR WAY UP

SEVENTH COMMANDMENT: THOU SHALT BE OBSESSED WITH CONSEQUENCES

EIGHTH COMMANDMENT: THOU SHALT COMMUNICATE

NINTH COMMANDMENT: THOU SHALT PAUSE AT CRITICAL DECISION POINTS

TENTH COMMANDMENT: THOU SHALT CARRY THE RIGHT EQUIPMENT AND KNOW HOW TO USE IT

For details on each commandment head on over to The Mountaineers web site for a quick read.