(The avalanche ratings were denoted as low, moderate, considerable, and high.) The database also includes a very high percentage of solo skiers: Solo males constitute 24% of trips reported. “There are similar proportions of group sizes from 1 to 4 under low, moderate and considerable avalanche danger ratings,” state the authors. The authors found no significant differences in group size when matching up with a specific avalanche danger rating. Group size was another element of the data revealing some interesting findings. The authors write, “experts were in this terrain more than intermediates, across all regional avalanche ratings, except high/extreme regional avalanche ratings.” It is likely unfair to assume that experts are courting more risks by traveling in class 3 terrain when triggering a slide is likely. The authors claim, “experts, while clearly traveling more in exposed terrain, and spending longer periods of time in avalanche terrain, may only be doing so under lower avalanche danger ratings.” What exactly does that time “exposed” mean and how does it relate to ATES? The paper attempts to answer this by associating the day’s avalanche rating with each GPS track. “In terms of total time spent in ATES terrain in general, and class 3 ATES terrain, experts also had a higher median time exposed.” When considering terrain use, “experts also had an increased exposure to avalanche terrain, when expressed as a percentage of their track, with higher percentages in all ATES classes,” state the authors. The GPS track and the ancillary data embedded in GPS files, along with the survey responses, allow researchers to gain insights regarding skier/rider behavior and the terrain they choose to access. GPS tracking data is interesting, particularly when visually overlayed on a map including ATES zones/categories. “In terms of decision making processes, there also seem to be differences for experts, in that they are more likely to try to determine real issues, use a well-defined process, and create a plan before communication.” In the conclusion, the authors write, “specific to experience, we can clearly see that there is a statistically significant difference between self-identified intermediates and experts for a number of backcountry competencies.” Those competencies include perceived skiing skills, transceiver use during a search, and snow assessment. Heatmap symbology is in reference to the relative density of submitted GPS track data, where more tracks in one area represents higher density. Map showing the distribution of our track data, which were focused in the conterminous United States, and northern Norway. – takes part in other seasonal outdoor pursuits The authors found the “typical” survey participant was: They have collected tracks from all over the alpine world but most are from N America and Norway. Survey participants are also self-selected to participate in the study and most submitted just one or a few tracks. “Experts” score themselves “as significantly more skilled than self-assessed intermediate skiers,” according to the authors. Survey participants self-identified as novice, intermediate, or expert and supported that designation with information regarding their ski experience and level of avalanche education completed. With GPS tracking data, among other details, the authors can determine the total duration of time a skier/rider/group spent in a specific ATES category. ATES uses three color-coded terrain type categories: simple (green), challenging (blue), and complex (gray). The authors use the Avalanche Terrain Exposure Scale (ATES) to categorize the terrain backcountry skiers/riders travel through. This goes for changes in snowpack, encountering a steep Encountering potential hazard elements provides the impetus for social interaction among the group.” What this means in real life is that terrain features are often the points of discussion during a tour. The presence of spatially distributed geographic and topographic features or conditions (snowpack, weather) instigates the need for a decision(s) throughout the duration of an excursion. #BACKCOUNTRY GPS TRACKS DRIVER#With varying terrain posing numerous potential hazards while touring, the authors posit “that geographic constraints may be the primary decision-making driver for such high-stakes decisions and act as the instigating factor for decision making. In answering those questions, the authors, Jordy Hendrikx, Jerry Johnson, and Andrea Mannberg use, what they call, a “terrain focused paradigm.” The tracks are color coded based on the regional avalanche advisory for the given day of travel. The complex terrain is marked in black, challenging terrain in blue, and simple terrain in green. An example of GPS recorded backcountry ski tracks from Teton Pass, Wyoming, showing multiple tracks from different days, overlaid on our ATES mapping.
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