Trip Hazards

Before registering for an event, please read and understand the hazards associated with the event identified on the trip posting.

Avalanche | Boots and Binding Systems | Communication and Rescue | Falls and Belaying | General Hazards | Personal Injuries | Rockfall and Icefall | Terrain

Avalanche

What are the Risks?

• • Avalanches can occur in the terrain you will be entering.
  • Caused by natural forces, or by people travelling through the terrain (skiing/snowboarding).
  • Anyone caught in an avalanche is at risk of personal injury, death, and/or property damage or loss.

Hazard Mitigation

• • Trip leaders with experience and training to manage this risk.
  • Daily risk assessment processes.
  • Guest training.

Boots and Binding Systems

What are the Risks?

• • Even when set up correctly, a ski binding might not release during every fall or may release unexpectedly.
  • The ski boot/binding system is no guarantee that the skier will not be injured.
  • Non-DIN-certified bindings, such as pin/tech bindings, present a higher risk of pre-release and/or injury as they are not designed to the same safety standards as a DIN-certified alpine binding.
  • Unlike alpine ski boot/binding systems, snowboard and some telemark boot/binding systems are not designed or intended to release and will not release under normal circumstances. Using such a system increases the risk of injury and/or death when caught in an avalanche.

Communication and Rescue

What are the Risks?

• • Communication can be difficult and in the event of an accident, rescue and treatment may not be available.
  • Adverse weather may also delay the arrival of treatment and transport out of the field.
  • If an injury occurs in challenging terrain movement to an evacuation point may be slow.

Hazard Mitigation

• • First Aid.
  • Rescue Training.
  • Satellite Communications.

Falls and Belaying

What are the Risks?

• • Ice climbing, rock climbing and mountaineering present the risk of falling from the wall causing the climber to collide with the wall or ground which can lead to injury or death.
  • The risk of a belay failure is also present which can contribute to a ground fall.
  • Equipment failure, including equipment associated with climbing, rappelling and belaying.

Hazard Mitigation

• • Reviewing best practices with the trip leader.
  • Equipment checks.

General Hazards

What are the Risks?

• • Slips trips and falls indoor or outdoor.
  • Changing weather conditions including but not limited to High winds, lightning, forest fires.
  • Effects of high altitude including pulmonary edema and cerebral edema.
  • Equipment failure.
  • Infectious disease contracted through viruses, bacteria, parasites, and fungi which may be transmitted through direct or indirect contact.
  • Incomplete warnings or instructions.
  • Negligence of other persons, including trip coordinator, volunteers and other guests.
  • Negligent first aid.
  • Negligence of ACC guides including failure to take reasonable steps to safeguard or protect you from, or warn you of risk, dangers, hazards, on participating in wilderness activities.

Hazard Mitigation

• • Developed safety plans and procedures with decades of experience managing risk.

Personal Injuries

What are the Risks?

• • Sprains.
  • Strains.
  • Shock.
  • Stress.
  • Nausea.
  • Food borne illness.
  • Diarrhea.
  • Burns.
  • Cuts.
  • Abrasions.
  • Fractured or broken bones.
  • Impalement.
  • Drowning.
  • Hypothermia.
  • Loss of limbs.
  • Frostbite.
  • Sunstroke.
  • Sunburn.
  • Dehydration.
  • Illness.
  • Soft tissue injuries.
  • Neck, head and brain injury.
  • Paralysis.
  • Psychological injury.
  • Other injury to the body.

Rockfall and Icefall

What are the Risks?

• • Rockfall and icefall can be caused by natural forces or by people travelling through the terrain (e.g. climbing/scrambling/hiking).

Hazard Mitigation

• • Mitigated with experienced trip leaders.
  • Helmets.

Terrain

What are the Risks?

• • Cornices.
  • Crevasses.
  • Trees, tree wells, and tree stumps.
  • Cliffs.
  • Creeks.
  • Rocks and Boulders.
  • Holes and depressions below the snow surface.
  • Variable and difficult snow conditions.
  • Variable and difficult walking terrain.
  • Snowcat roads and road banks.
  • Fences and other man-made structures.
  • Snow immersion.
  • Impact or collision with other persons, vehicles or objects.
  • Extreme variation in trails or terrain.
  • Encounters with domestic or wild animals.
  • Loss of balance or control.
  • Becoming lost or separated from the group.
  • Slips, trips, and falls.

Hazard Mitigation

• • Mitigated by trained and experienced trip leaders.
  • Radios.