DIG A SNOWPIT FOR AVALANCHE SAFETY | HOW TO XV

Digging a snowpit in the mountains is just one of many tools that will help give you an information in terms of assessing the snow pack and it’s different layers and their bond between each other .
In this episode of How To Xv I go through the basics of choosing where to dig a pit, what to dig, the “tap” test and what you are looking for when you do this. As always practice is the best option so I recommend getting out there and digging a pits regularly to get used to it and getting used to seeing events related to your analysis.
But, even better is to go on an avalanche course to learn more about pits and the different snow you might encounter and what that means for you when you go freeriding.

Let me know if you have any questions in the comments below.
Edit by: Tim Burgess
Motion Graphics by: FX Pergola.
Thanks to: The North Face, Rossignol & Fatmap

[alpinekiwi]

A massive subject broken down well into a short video. Nicely summarised.
Push two avy probes down into the two back corners of the column, then use a knotted piece of cord to cut all three sides at once.

[lylecarlsonsurfboard]

Watching all your films. Learning so much. Please make more

[spencerherford]

I think this is a great intro to a very very very complex subject.

To emphasize something Xavier said near the end, repeat this test in different areas before making a decision. The snowpack will change just a few meters up down left or right, and where you might find stability in one spot, you might find a trigger spot right next to it.

If you have uncertainty in the stability of a slope, the best way to address it is to modify what terrain you are riding to something simpler/safer.

[alpinewind]

Always very well made and informative videos! If I have a question on backcountry riding I always check your videos as a resource.

[АртемЛ-кж]

Thanks! Everything is simple and clear) ... Every year before the season we train ...

[tomocici]

nice one! two little observations:
1. extended columnt test gives you better information on type of the sheer than classic column test
2. dont leave the pit open. someone is going to crash into it! :)

[loldebiteloldebite]

Thanks, i actually had never seen a "not-bad" compression test before.

[cdcdcd]

wow. so this is what pro riders do. far more advanced than, "that's knarly dude" image i had. LOL

[kiliancasagrande]

Super vidéo merci !
Quelle support de cartes (site/app) utilises tu dans le début de ta vidéo stp ?

[Michdisturb]

Très bonnes explications ! Simples et efficaces !

[tinger]

I wonder how useful a snow profile really is for judging the stability of a single slope. In avy course in austria we learn to not do it because the result could be totally different 20 meters below / above...

[jojo]

How much is the gradient of the location effecting the block to crack on the taps?

[Jim-besj]

Must be nice. Here in Colorado we dig 50cm pits and the walls instantly collapse as the bottom 30cm of facets spill out like a broken sack of rice.. 😂

[ericwilliam]

This is a poor representation and attempt to over simplify snow science. This is barely scratching the surface of snow profiles, yet hardly mentions that. No explanation of understanding pit findings(aside of shear), what kind of layers we look for, extended column tests, cone of penetration, and a lot more. I am glad to see shear characteristics mentioned, but that's about it.

Plus fill in your pits! Becomes a big hazard for riders coming down.