Choosing an uphill route is an art! Basically, what we try to do is find the easiest way up, using slopes that are less steep and less exposed, that take me where I want to go. It's extremely important to analyze snowpack stability so we can avoid the problems that may come up.
What should I analyze?
- One of the most important aspects is syncing up all the factors.
- The time I want to be ready for the descent: Does my plan match the condition of the terrain and snowpack?
- Snowpack condition: what's reassuring and what's concerning when it comes to instability
- The group: How many of us are there? What's the group's fitness level? Will splitboarders and skiers be able to keep the same skin track? How will we communicate?
- Does my uphill route include "islands of safety"? Are there convexities or concavities? Am I underneath a cornice? Do I have escape routes? Is the aspect I choose for the ascent the same as the one I choose for the descent? Do we need to split up anywhere? Plan B?
Choosing our uphill route isn't just about going up. There are many factors to assess, and setting the skin track with the right technique (kick turns) means we spend less energy and gain more safety.
Did you know there are different kick turns for different slope angles?
Be part of this great community, head out into the mountains safely, and get trained.
