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Assessing snow conditions: book recommendations?

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 tehmarks 19 Dec 2014
I don't suppose anyone has any recommendations for a book on avalanches and assessing snow conditions? I have a very basic understanding through skiing, but I'm looking to get into winter climbing this season and definitely want to brush up on my knowledge and avoid becoming a statistic!
Removed User 19 Dec 2014
In reply to tehmarks:

The best choice is to take a course where they teach you winter skills - including how to assess snow conditions. Such courses are organised by MRS here in Slovenia, so I guess there should be some in the UK as well. But if you're looking for a book, you may want to read Snow sense by Jill Fredston. Hope this helps

 Si Cox 19 Dec 2014
In reply to tehmarks:

I would recommend 'Snow Sense: A Guide to Evaluating Snow Avalanche Hazard'.

Good, short book, which has all that you need to mug up on the subject.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Snow-Sense-Evaluating-Avalanche-Hazard/dp/096439940...
 d_b 19 Dec 2014
In reply to tehmarks:

A lot of the books focus on the kind of conditions you are likely to see in the alps and greater ranges. For something more suited to scotland and other maritime climates you can do a lot worse than "A Chance in a Million?: Scottish Avalanches"

http://www.amazon.co.uk/A-Chance-Million-Scottish-Avalanches/dp/0907521592
 AdrianC 19 Dec 2014
In reply to tehmarks:

Bruce Tremper's "Staying Alive in Avalanche Terrain" is very good but may be a bit more oriented to Alpine & Continental conditions. And I'd also suggest doing a course as well as reading as much as you can.
OP tehmarks 19 Dec 2014
In reply to tehmarks:

Thanks for the suggestions. I'm not a massive fan of the course idea; I'd much rather take things slowly and learn for myself (and siphon off knowledge from experienced partners). I have nothing against courses, but I don't think it's the solution for me. I'm looking for a good book because I'd like to really understand the theory behind it, rather than having a set of rules and practical advice to follow.
 Trevers 20 Dec 2014
In reply to tehmarks:

For Scottish winter, I'd second A Chance in a Million.

Might also be worth seeing if you can find the avalanche hazard quizzes on the Glenmore Lodge website
OP tehmarks 20 Dec 2014
In reply to Trevers:

> Might also be worth seeing if you can find the avalanche hazard quizzes on the Glenmore Lodge website

Found it! For the benefit of any other interested parties:
http://www.glenmorelodge.org.uk/outdoor-resources/avalanche-information/ava...

 Kean 20 Dec 2014
In reply to AdrianC:
Would also recommend Bruce Tremper's book. He and his team also post field reports on YouTube, which give excellent insight into application of techniques,decision making and risk assessment. See "utahavalanchecenter" on YouTube
 Mountain Llama 20 Dec 2014
In reply to tehmarks: I use snow sense, it's easy to understand and has good examples to work through

 AdrianC 20 Dec 2014
In reply to tehmarks:

And there's always the excellent Avalanche Avoiding Kung Fu series. Here's the fist one...

youtube.com/watch?v=MqWNYiuZS28&
 frqnt 21 Dec 2014
In reply to tehmarks:

I would third Bruce Tremper's book. Or for a more technical approach, you could read The Avalanche Handbook by McClung & Schaerer.

A course is really only the beginning of a journey to understanding how a snow-pack might behave. If that is not an option, here is some rudimentary information that might be of interest;
http://www.avalanche.ca/training#online-primer
http://www.avalanche.net.nz/education/Online-Avalanche-Course/Intro.asp
http://www.snowcrystals.it/index.php#

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