| The Avalanche Handbook |
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By: David McClung & Peter Schaerer
Published by: Mountaineers Books
Paperback, 272 pages
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Publication date: 1993
Price: $19.95
ISBN: 0898863643
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In the foreward to this handbook, Ed LaChapelle, a long-time avalanche professional,
states that ìthis new book will be the basic reference of avalanche science for many years to come.î
That sentence could stand as the entire review of The Avalanche Handbook, but deserves
some elaboration. The bookís depth, length, and breadth make the Handbook the
preeminent treatment of avalanche science today. There is no more comprehensive,
detailed, or extensive study of avalanches available to the public. Yet this may
not be the book for every outdoor enthusiast.
The tradeoff with avalanche understanding is between the amount of time
and effort the reader is willing to commit and the degree of protection from avalanche
danger they desire. No doubt after carefully reading this book, youíll have greater
understanding of the causes, detection, and avoidance of avalanches than from
any other book. Yet for many readers, The Avalanche Handbook may tip the
scale beyond their commitment level.
Why? The Avalanche Handbook is not a casual read. I found that the authors
assume a fair prior knowledge of weather and snow science. In my first attempt
to get through the book, I felt I was reading a meteorological textbook,
but without the opportunity for help from the instructor. After several reading sessions,
I set the book aside and moved on to other avalanche books. Six months later, after
taking an avalanche class, reading other more introductory books,
working with avalanche gear, and spending time in the field examining snowpack,
I came back and found it much easier to get understand.
Summary: If you are looking for a basic introduction to avalanche safety, this
isnít your best choice. If youíve learned the basics of avalanches, and are
looking for in-depth understand of snowpack and snow composition, influence
of terrain on avalanche potential, avalanche forecasting and rescue
The Avalanche Handbook is for you.
Steve Mann is a contributing editor at GearReview.com
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