 Poster: A snowHead
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Hello,
Just wondered what books people have read and would recommend?
I have looked for previous threads but have not come across any focused on book discussions, though I am new to snowheads so this could be my mistake.
(Sorry not 100% sure if this is the correct place to post... maybe equipment reviews would be better?).
Thanks,
Jon
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Bruce Tremper - Staying Alive in Avalanche Terrain. Best book, IMO, as your first read about avalanche safety.
I have a spare copy if you're interested. £5 including postage.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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rob@rar, I would be interested if the OP is not...
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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rob@rar, if Jon1231 doesn't take you up on your offer, please may I do so? (No need to post, I'm seeing you on Monday.) But first dibs to Jon1231, obviously.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Blimey, stampede ensues!
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Just to add to the list.....
Jimmy Odens book freeskiing is essential reading for aspiring ski bums.
Other books go into more detail about snow science.
However when skiing off piste there is more to know than just avalanches.
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Just buy an ABS pack 
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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In addition I like Avalanche by robert bolognesi, focuses more on risk assessment rather than science
weclome to SH's !
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Seconded on this one. There is no other translation of the 3 x 3 or reduction methods easily available other than basic stuff on the Ortovox website and stuff like that.
I liked Staying Alive in Avalanche Terrain but have not actually found it that helpful for making decisions on what to do or where to ski. For that I've found the Jimmy Oden book and the Powderguide item much more useful.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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| spyderjon wrote: |
| Just buy an ABS pack |
+1 .... And some REALLY fat skis. And three Go-Pros. And a harness. Most essential: don't bother to learn how to use any of the above.
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gorilla, i read SAAT first for the theory, then Powderguide helped translate that theory into whether to go or not
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You know it makes sense.
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This is a great little book. Recently published (in December 2012) and so I don't know if many snowheads have picked it up yet.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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gorilla, i read SAAT first for the theory, then Powderguide helped translate that theory into whether to go or not
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As did I. Just that you can end up having read SAAT with a thorough knowledge of how faceting manfests and why and absolutely no idea of whether or not the slope in front of you is going to try and kill you.
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Poster: A snowHead
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I thought Tremper's book had a lot of very practical stuff in it, especially in relation to terrain management, hazard evaluation, route finding and human factors, as well as the snow science. I highly rate Tremper, and a lot of what he says is echoed in the AIARE syllabus. By the way, in addition to books the AIARE site is an excellent place to look too (http://avtraining.org/).
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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sah, maybe I should give it another read but it was quite a lot of info to absorb and sort for a relative noob like I was when I read it
Doing the AIARE level 1 a couple of years ago, it was interesting just how much emphasis there was on route finding and terrain management. absolutely rightly IMV
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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It's not a "light weight" book by any means, but there are chapters on all those topics. I think mine is the second edition, maybe some stuff changed? Actually, looking at the description: "This new edition of Bruce Tremper's seminal book is organised according to the structure of the American Avalanche Association classes and all chapters have been updated with the most recent data and techniques", so I guess it's no surprise it matches the course:-)
Last edited by Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see? on Wed 4-09-13 16:19; edited 1 time in total
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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| Quote: |
I highly rate Tremper
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Don't get me wrong, I think it is a good book. I think he is also stronger on everything other than decision making than the two I suggested. But what the book doesn't do is give you a decision making framework. One of the reasons I think 3 x 3 and the reduction method work are that they provide structure and hence remove the human tendency to underweight negative information. They also provide a clear yes or no decision.
Of course, just using the tool is not enough, which is why SAAT is a necessary read. I just think there are other places to start.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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| gorilla wrote: |
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I highly rate Tremper
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Don't get me wrong, I think it is a good book. I think he is also stronger on everything other than decision making than the two I suggested. But what the book doesn't do is give you a decision making framework. One of the reasons I think 3 x 3 and the reduction method work are that they provide structure and hence remove the human tendency to underweight negative information. They also provide a clear yes or no decision.
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Not sure how it compares with the others but chapter 7 is all about decision making frameworks - "Avaluator", "ALPTRUTh", Fesler & Fredston's checklist (come to think of it their book is excellent too!) and Atwater-LaChapelle checklist all get discussed.
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| Of course, just using the tool is not enough, which is why SAAT is a necessary read. I just think there are other places to start |
I'm sure the other books are good too, I might have to try and borrow copies to see how they compare 
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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Sorry to rant on about Tremper, it looks like he has a new book out soon too - "Avalanche Essentials: A Step by Step System for Safety and Survival". Publication date is 31 October.
Not sure if it is an update to his original, it sounds more like a new book focusing on exactly the issues gorilla, arno and others allude too around developing a system to be safe rather than dwelling on snow science. I'll probably get a copy so I'll report back.
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| Quote: |
Not sure how it compares with the others but chapter 7 is all about decision making frameworks - "Avaluator", "ALPTRUTh", Fesler & Fredston's checklist (come to think of it their book is excellent too!) and Atwater-LaChapelle checklist all get discussed.
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Fair enough - that's not in my edition. I'm obviously out of date.
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How is it helpful to anyone who doesn't read German??? Is there an English translation/section of the site?
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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I would vote for Bruce Tremper as well. I can relate what he says to what you see on the mountain, whereas other books are more theoretical. Theory is all very well but it leaves you wondering what you are actually supposed to do about it when skiing.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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rob@rar, Thanks Rob, I'll take the book off you. YHM
I really like the look of Jimmy Oden's free skiing, the powerguide also looks good... might just have to get both. The cover of "Allen and Mike's Avalanche Book: A Guide to Staying Safe in Avalanche Terrain" doesn't really instil confidence in its seriousness... but I guess you should never judge a book by its cover.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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Jon1231, understand your concern about the cover of A&M's book but hope you'll give it a try too. Seems like me and Elston are the only ones who have read it so far (on this thread at any rate but it was only published at the end of last year so if people already have a book they wouldn't necessarily spot a new one in the market) and we think it's brilliant. We've got other books but they're really dry. The approach A&M take is very consumable.
The topic is serious but that doesn't mean learning about it has to be boring.
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Allen & Mike's Avalanche Book is very readible and brilliantly illustrated.
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+1 Great books, I got the telemark book 6-7 years ago and now I have the Backcountry/Avalanche/Glacial travel titles as well. They aim to be practical rather than overly scientific.
The Bruce Temper book is first class though.
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You know it makes sense.
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Just don't read too many avalanche books. You will get freaked out. A bit like watching air crash investigations...
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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Poster: A snowHead
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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I've got Wayne Watsons book (Alpine Experience in Vd'I) - Off Piste (not sure it's still available ... think not) - it's good.
And Jimmy Odens book which is also good but quite heavy on the theory .... and would be better with more photos and less drawings !
I'd also get the detailed os maps and guide books (Vamos, Les Cles group etc) for the areas you are skiing .... they can be really useful.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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There are so many books on this subject it is hard to know where to start.
Bruce Tremper's book is excellent, but like so many avalanche books it is incredibly detailed. If you want to know the basics, this may well fry your brain. In which case, I would recommend something simpler like Roberto Bolognesi's "Avalanche" - so small you can actually put it in your pocket and refer to it in the cafe while you're having lunch.
I would also recommend Allen and Mike's Avalanche Book as another easy to read (and understand!) publication.
Once you've got the basics, then move onto the more advanced stuff. This all needs to be done while also spending time in the mountains. If you can't actually see the medium and the environment being discussed, then a lot of it really won't make sense to you.
In addition to reading about it, taking a practical course will hopefully make sense of all the theory.
Hope that helps, and stay safe this winter
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Just to add a few more to the mix.
Snow sense, by Jill Fredston & Doug Fesler covers the basics without getting lost in the science.
Secrets of the Snow; Visual clues to avalanche and ski conditions, by Edward R. LaChapelle. As the title says what to look out for.
A Chance in a million? Scottish Avalanches, by Bob Barton and Blyth Wright. These are the people who set up the Scottish Avalanche Information Service.
Avalanche safety for skiers and climbers, by Tony Daffern. This is getting a bit old now some of the information such as avalanche beacons is out of date now but the basics are still relevant.
The Avalanche handbook, by David McClung & Peter Schaerer. This one goes into the sicence very deeply, probably far deeper than most of us need to.
The first two are very good for someone wanting to learn the basics without being blinded by science there both small booklets rather than weighty tomes. The Scottish avalanche book goes into things in more depth but is written in an easy to understand fashion, the last two and the Bruce Tremper book are much more in depth science based.
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FAQ
