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on the landscape. It is important that we understand the hazard venues and conditions without being criticised by other members
level and its probability as detailed in the graph above. But what of the team but just as importantly staff can accept advice on
is very interesting about the localized hazards is that the hazard venues and conditions by other members of the team, thus going
is present, it is real, and it is live! If you equate a localized hazard a long way to avoid the kind of scenario presented above.

to land mines scattered in the snow, you will perhaps have a
greater understanding of the risks you are faced with.
Finally, my parting words of wisdom are regarding a student’s
ability in relation to the areas that they will be operating within.
As highlighted above further information can be sought from the Let’s take the Winter Mountaineering Foundation (WMF) course

avalanche forecast in conjunction with the weather forecast, local (5 days intro to winter mountaineering) as an example using a
guide books and local knowledge.
ictitious scenario:

In summary, you can only work with the facts that are available Day one is spent ice axe arresting, practicing wearing crampons,

during the daily training meeting; the weather, avalanche reports, cutting steps and enjoying the experience. On day 2 their
local knowledge, local knowledge of the conditions, the intended instructor decides to take his 6 students on to a steep “ish” ridge
training venues and the expectations of the staff.
(less than grade 1), the conditions underfoot are irm (no loose
snow). However, one trip on the crampon could be fatal; the

So, here is the exam question; the winds have been strong student would probably be unable to arrest his fall and as he/
for several days (40 mph) coming from the Southwest with she starts to slide on the hard snow, they would build up speed,
intermittent snow showers. A member of your staff has indicated one of the crampons could get caught in the snow which in turn
that he/she will use a certain training venue to introduce novices will throw the student into a cartwheel and they will keep going all
to ice axe arrests, cramponing, etc. The chosen area is normally a the way down to the bottom of the hill, whilst bouncing of rocks;

guaranteed teaching venue that is often used for this activity and eventually coming to a stop. You get to the student, having left the
sits on an easterly aspect at 900m. The instructor, in question, is other 5 novices alone to ind the fallen student to be very seriously
challenged about the chosen venue because of the weather and injured. The question is:
avalanche reports. The instructor understands the concern, but

he/she is qualiied, therefore argues that it should be acceptable Were you in the right place with your students, taking into account
for them to make their own decisions without being questioned their stage of training and the irm snow condition? The answer is
by the management and may suggest heading into the chosen probably not. Who authorised the training? Who was in Command?
venue to take a look at the conditions and assess the situation

on site. This would appear to be a plausible debate between The management of risk in the winter environment is undoubtedly
instructor and management.
a serious challenge and it is the experiences combined with the
training that one receives that assists them in this process. The
From a risk management perspective the evidence presented support of a qualiied and experienced instructional team will always

(weather, avalanche reports and local knowledge of the area) go along way to guide you towards making the right decision. Being
is overwhelming and the fact is, the chosen venue is qualiied in winter is a must as this will mirror a level of
inappropriate for the conditions. Using the evidence
competency, furthermore being qualiied attracts an
at hand, the answer is to choose a venue with acceptable level of experience in the chosen activity.
SE-SW aspects. If the ictitious instructor had
Avalanche awareness is essential, and despite the
taken his group to the chosen venue on the formal training and assessment received during the
NE aspect and was subsequently avalanched, Mountain Leader Winter (MLW) and the Mountain
then it wouldn’t be unreasonable to expect the Instructor Certiicate (MIC) awards, there is always
(this is my opinion) instructor and management more to learn. Formal avalanche training is

team who authorised the training to be deemed available through a plethora of organisations
negligent. It is also worth considering that if within mainland Europe, North America
the instructor spent 40 minutes driving to
and Scotland. Within the military there
the venue and a further 50 minutes walking are opportunities to attend the Joint

to the desired location then the likelihood Service Advanced Avalanche
is there would only be 2 outcomes; irstly, Course (AAC) that takes place
that he/she would have “just cracked on from the Alpine Training
with it” or turned around and went home Centre (ATC) in Bavaria. I

as there would be no time for anything attended the inaugural course
else. The irst choice could be labelled as
in January 2013, prior to the
a heuristic trap and the second option delivery of winter courses at
would be a complete waste of training Ballachulish this season. It is without
time. At the planning stage, the
doubtthattheAAChasimprovedmy
evidence clearly indicated the training overall awareness, education and
venue was inappropriate.
currency of snow structure and
it associated hazards which
By establishing and fostering trust, honesty and have in turn contributed

mutual respect, we can create an atmosphere towardstheriskmanagement
whereby our staff can suggest/provide advice on
of training at the JSMTW (B).