There are *lots* of safe options straight off the Mt. Bakier ski area.
1. Get out a map and PLAN your tour, including 3 options.
maps.google.com/
Type "mt. baker ski area, washington" into the search box.
Select "Terrain" from the options on the upper right of the map.
2. If you're not comfortable planning, then go to an operating ski area.
Partial List of Techniques for Travel During High Danger
1. Avoid traveling below overhead avalanche terrain.
2. Descend slopes without obstacles such as trees and rocks.
3. Choose slopes where an avalanche rescue is possible, i.e. with smooth, clean runout zones with excellent line-of-sight from the top. ( Poor line-of-sight, such as in trees or convoluted terrain, makes rescue extremely difficult. )
4. Choose slopes you can safely ski cut.
5. Pick your line of descent very carefully.
6. Small, steep slopes may not be safer than large, gentle slopes.
Here are the terrain variables that I use. These criteria are universal sources of exposure for all terrain.
*Line-Of-Sight
Is line-of-sight limited? Do local terrain features obstruct your line-of-sight to higher terrain? Is your uphill view blocked by rocks or trees? Can you see all the terrain below or only some of it? Pay attention and double-check your decisions when line-of-sight is limited for any reason.
*Open
Is the terrain open enough to produce small, medium, or large avalanches? Are there open breaks in the forest that allow snow to travel unobstructed to your location? How much open terrain is present and where is the open terrain relative to your location? Large quantities of snow can accumulate in open areas near mountain tops before an avalanche and in valley bottoms after an avalanche.
*Confined
Is the terrain confined relative to the size or speed of an avalanche of any size? Could a large, fast-moving avalanche overrun the valley floor? Are you in a gully where escape from a small but fast-moving avalanche could prove impossible? Estimate your reaction time before something goes wrong and double-check your decisions if reaction time is short. Reaction time is a very important part of your margin of safety.
*Accumulators
Are there snow accumulators above or below? Avalanches often start where snow accumulates, and then run downhill where they deposit snow on the valley floor. Small avalanches form deep deposits in confined terrain, such as hollows or depressions, where snow can accumulate.
*Obstacles
Are there obstacles above or below? This includes cliffs, crevasses, rocks, and trees. Obstacles above may block your line-of-sight, inducing hazard blindness, and can cause traumatic injuries during any phase of an avalanche.
*Steep
Is the terrain steeper than 35 degrees? Avalanches start and rapidly accelerate on steep terrain. Steep terrain produces fast-moving avalanches that can release above you and travel toward your location. If you trigger an avalanche on steep terrain, you may be unable to escape from the flowing snow. Steep terrain can limit your line-of-sight, and indicate locations suitable for sluffs, cornice drops, serac fall, or rock fall—all of which can start avalanches above or around you.
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