ASC ASC Route Planning & Travel Protocols

Question 1

When planning a backcountry route under ASC standards, the PRIMARY purpose of identifying terrain traps is to:

Accepted Answer

Understand where even a small avalanche could produce disproportionate burial depth or injury

Answer

Determine which slopes are safe to ski

Answer

Locate the best areas for snowpit excavation

Answer

Identify zones suitable for client photography

Question 2

Under ASC travel protocols, 'exposure time' in avalanche terrain refers to:

Accepted Answer

The cumulative time a person or group spends in a zone where they could be caught by an avalanche

Answer

The duration of UV radiation risk at high elevation

Answer

The period during which wind slab formation is most active

Answer

The time between beacon signal detection and victim excavation

Question 3

Which terrain feature is considered a PRIMARY indicator that a slope may be wind-loaded and therefore at elevated slab avalanche risk?

Accepted Answer

Pillowed or rounded surface snow shapes on lee aspects

Answer

Convex rollover at the top of a slope

Answer

Presence of surface hoar crystals

Answer

Uniformly tracked ski terrain

Question 4

ASC route planning protocols require that travel routes through avalanche start zones be evaluated for all of the following EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

Trailhead parking capacity

Answer

Slope angle

Answer

Aspect and solar radiation exposure

Answer

Recent loading events (snow, wind, rain)

Question 5

When selecting a safe travel corridor through avalanche terrain, guides prioritize ridgelines and valley floors primarily because these zones:

Accepted Answer

Represent areas below avalanche start zones or above runout paths

Answer

Offer the most reliable cellular communication

Answer

Are preferred by clients for photography opportunities

Answer

Provide the flattest terrain for beacon searches

Question 6

The ASC standard for group spacing while traversing beneath loaded avalanche slopes recommends that each member maintain separation to:

Accepted Answer

Ensure no more than one person is in the hazard zone at a time

Answer

Maintain radio communication range

Answer

Reduce the overall weight load on the snowpack

Answer

Allow the guide to observe each client's skiing technique