New avalanche probe could save lives
Friday September 11, 2009 - Email this article to a friend

There have been 3 deaths in the country this year and the inventor, Arthur Tyndall, believes it may contribute to overall safety.

He is hoping for it to go into mass production within the next few years.

Currently people have to dig a snow-pit if they wish to examine the various layers of snow and this takes time and effort.

The new probe is pushed through the snow pack and tests the resistance and stability of the snow and sends back the information electronically to a monitor which then assesses the likelihood of a slide.

Mr Tyndale lost a friend in an avalanche and this spurred him on to produce the probe.

It has taken him 10-years to develop.

Digging is time-consumingWe have been unable to see or test the device at PlanetSKI but have spoken to a number of mountain guides and safety experts.   They seem to welcome the device but say it should only be seen as yet another tool to be used in conjunction with others.

"I wholeheartedly welcome the  electronic probe as another step in the strive for greater safety for all backcountry travellers. Anything that aids the decision making process in avalanche terrain is good news," says PlanetSKI's off piste expert, the mountainguide, Nick Parks.

"Much of today's avalanche equipment centers on search and rescue when of course often its too late. By helping you avoid going onto dangerous slopes in the first place the electronic probe is potentially highly beneficial."

Parks runs the specialist adverture holiday company, Mountaintracks.

Many mountain guides carry a probe and do push it through the snow pack; with their experience and skills they can feel the resistance without needing to rely on electrical feedback.

Few actually dig a snow pit while out off piste skiing, but it is more seen as an educational tool for people learning about the snowpack.

Local knowledge and expertise with an understanding how an avalanche is triggered are the keys to keeping safe.

Here at PlanetSKI we too welcome anything that helps in keeping people safe while skiing off piste.

Next winter we will have a full area of the web site devoted to off piste safety so keep an eye open for that.

For more detailed information on the probe see here and here.

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