ASC Route Planning & Travel Protocols Flashcards
6 cards from real ASC practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 ASC Route Planning & Travel Protocols flashcards as text
The ASC 'avalanche terrain exposure scale' (ATES) classifies terrain into Simple, Challenging, and Complex. The key characteristic that elevates terrain to 'Complex' is:
Answer: Multiple overlapping avalanche paths, exposure on sustained steep terrain, and limited escape options
Complex ATES terrain is defined by the combination of multiple paths, sustained exposure, and restricted ability to avoid or escape hazard — not by any single slope angle.
A certified ASC professional is legally and ethically required to do which of the following when a planned route exceeds client competency levels for avalanche terrain?
Answer: Modify the objective to match client skills and experience with the terrain complexity
ASC duty of care requires that terrain selection be matched to the group's actual capabilities; waivers do not transfer professional liability for negligent terrain decisions.
Which navigational tool is considered MOST reliable for pre-trip slope angle assessment under ASC planning standards?
Answer: Topographic map analysis combined with a GIS-based slope angle shading layer
GIS slope angle shading derived from high-resolution DEMs provides comprehensive coverage of an entire route, far exceeding the sample coverage of a single field inclinometer reading.
When the regional avalanche forecast rates danger as 'Considerable' (Level 3), ASC travel protocols recommend prioritizing terrain with slopes of:
Answer: Less than 30 degrees and avoiding all convexities and terrain traps
At Considerable danger, ASC protocols call for sub-30-degree terrain and strict avoidance of convex rolls and terrain traps, as human triggering on steeper slopes is likely.
Under ASC route planning standards, 'escape routes' must be identified for each hazard segment and must satisfy which criteria?
Answer: They must be accessible from the hazard zone before a triggered avalanche could reach the traveler
An escape route is only functional if it can be reached and cleared before an avalanche arrives — timing and accessibility are the defining criteria, not absolute angle or distance.
The ASC protocol for communicating route hazards to clients before entering avalanche terrain requires professionals to convey:
Answer: The nature of the hazard, likely consequences, the plan for managing exposure, and each client's role
Effective pre-travel briefings under ASC standards ensure clients understand the hazard, consequences, management plan, and their specific responsibilities — enabling informed participation.