Decision Trees For Snow And Avalanche Exposure

When long routes pass through snow-affected terrain, decision making becomes more complex. Factors such as slope steepness, recent storms, temperature changes, and wind loading can influence how stable a snowpack is. Decision trees provide one way to structure these inputs and highlight options that limit exposure.

A snow or avalanche exposure tree might begin with simple screening questions, such as whether travel is planned on, above, or below slopes of certain steepness, and whether official avalanche forecasts are available for the region. Further branches can consider recent weather patterns, such as new snow or rain, strong winds, or rapid warming, and the presence of any visible signs of instability.

The possible outcomes often favor conservative decisions: selecting a different route with gentler terrain, changing timing to avoid certain conditions, shortening the day, or turning back entirely. Some hikers use these tools primarily as reminders that terrain choices are highly influential, and that avoiding higher-risk zones is often the most reliable strategy.

Because avalanche assessment is a specialized skill set, decision trees are only one piece of a larger picture that may include formal education, practical field exercises, and regular consultation of regional bulletins where they exist. Hikers who expect significant snow exposure commonly seek professional instruction well before entering such terrain.

This article describes decision trees at a general level. It is not avalanche training, does not provide hazard ratings, and does not replace qualified instruction or official avalanche forecasts.