Models

Here's a simple model of basic backcountry technique:



Here's a simple model for weather trends:



Here's a simple model for snow metamorphism:



Here's a simple model for snowpack tests:

Thanks Cookie -- can you explain how these models work a bit? I see what they're going for, but I'm not quite getting how the arrows relate...

Nice models FreeSkiGuy, I like the LOVE<->EGO and RISK<->EGO metaphors!

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Marcus, the models show the relationships between the factors.

* The continuous nature of the phenomena or activity is reflected by the continuous arrows.
* The forward/backward nature of relationships or stages is indicated by the bidirectional arrows.

The main idea is as follows: the factors are not discrete and the processes are ongoing. For example, you could present snow metamorphism as:

* Temperature. Some notes about temperature.
* Pressure. Some notes about overburden pressure.
* Radiation. Some nodes about radiation.

Presenting these items as a discrete list does not infer the relationships between the factors, nor the on-going nature of the phenomena arising from the factors.

Same goes for basic backcountry technique. Presenting basic backcountry technique as a "list of discrete items" misses the point:

* Plan. Some notes about planning.
* Observe. Some notes about observing.
* Decide. Some notes about deciding.

In reality, planning, observing, and deciding are related to each other and on-going. There isn't necessarily a first step, second step, or final step. Before a ski tour, you may plan first, then observe, then decide. During a ski tour, you may observe first, then plan, then decide.

For snowpack tests, there are relationships between the factors:

* Grain size. Look for large grain size or large relative differences in grain size.
* Hand hardness. Look for uniform hardness increases with depth.
* Shear quality. Look for quick, smooth shears.

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* Taking all three factors into account, what can you write about snowpack tests?
* Can you relate the snowpack test model results to the snow metamorphism model?
* What about to the mountain weather model or weather trends model?

Here's a more complete version, but it's not yet finished.

* It's an observation model in the shape of a snowflake.
* I'm not sure what the final version will be like.
* Criticism or other remarks welcome.



Here's a fairly fun quiz to test your knowledge:

Can you relate the factors to each other?

Grading scale:

A - You can relate nearly all the factors to each other.
C - You can relate most of the factors to each other.
D - You can relate some of the factors to each other.

Someone else can figure out the other grades.

As much as I like visuals, many of those factors shown do not carry equal weight in impacting stability or triggering, a better test would be to draw each of those factors to the scale of importance in decision-making and relevance.

That's a cool idea!

Any chance you could you provide an example?