The Avalanche Handbook

David McClung

• Publisher: Mountaineers Books
• Year: 2023
• eBook ISBN: 9781680515404
• Edition: 4

• More than 75, 000 copies sold of previous editions
• New chapter on risk management
• Includes new photographs and updated illustrations

The Avalanche Handbook needs no introduction. For this new fourth edition of the course-adopted and internationally recognized book, David McClung has completed an in-depth review and update of the entire text, as well as consulted outside experts in explosives, search and rescue, and other key topics. Comprehensive sections cover the formation, character, effects, and control of avalanches; avalanche terrain and forecasting; safety and rescue; risk management, preventive and protective measures; and more.Technical yet accessible and with extensive photos, illustrations, graphs, and charts throughout, The Avalanche Handbook will continue to be essential reading for avalanche professionals and serious winter backcountry adventurers.

Table of contents

• The Avalanche Handbook
• Title
• Copyright
• Contents
• Foreword to the Third Edition
• Preface to the Fourth Edition
• Introduction
• Chapter 1: Character and Effects of Avalanches
• Chapter 2: Elements of Mountain Snow Climates and Weather
• Chapter 3: Snow Formation and Growth in the Atmosphere and Snowpack
• Chapter 4: Avalanche Formation
• Chapter 5: Avalanche Terrain, Motion, and Effects
• Chapter 6: The Elements of Applied Avalanche Forecasting
• Chapter 7: Classes of Factors Involved with Evaluation of Instability and Forecasting
• Chapter 8: Risk Management for Snow Avalanche Applications
• Chapter 9: The ABCs for Backcountry Avalanche Forecasting and Decisions
• Chapter 11: Avalanche Protection
• Acknowledgments
• Appendix A: SI Units
• Appendix B: Snow, Avalanche, and Weather Observations
• Appendix C: Advanced Snow Crystal Classification Systems
• Appendix D: Snow Avalanche Size Classification
• Appendix E: Recording Avalanche Events
• Appendix F: Danger, Stability, and Hazard Rating Scales
• Appendix G: International Avalanche Classification
• Appendix H: Examples of Common Explosive Control Procedures
• Appendix I: General References
• Index