Human factors are how the avalanche education world describes various behaviors related to travel in avalanche terrain. This book follows in the footsteps of Ed LaChapelle, Ian McCammon, and others by trying to distill some basic knowledge of human factor research into an easily digestible volume aimed at backcountry skiers, snowmobilers, or anyone else traveling in potentially hazardous terrain.
Written by avalanche and snow science researchers, it covers the mental, emotional, and neurological foundations of our decision biases and heuristics. We draw on behavioral economics, social science, and decision theory to explain how and why we sometimes ask “Should I be here?”.
We provide tangible principles for better decisions and use case study examples to help make our points stick. This book is both an exploration of the science of decision-making and a handbook for making wise decisions in the winter backcountry.
Decisions have consequences. When our student died in an avalanche we decided to write a book.
Working with other avalanche researchers and snow scientists we started a 12 year research project aimed at understanding the emotions, biases, and decision heuristics that affect our decisions in the backcountry.
The result is a book that challenges the conventional wisdom of avalanche education and expands our understanding of how and why we sometimes find ourselves saying “Should I be here?.”
There are ways to up our decision game. We hope you join us as we continue to learn better decision making skills.
Many people helped make this book possible with their comments and photos. Here are a few:
Grant Statham - Climber, skier, forecaster, rescuer, guide, speaker, teacher, writer, prof, consultant and dad. linktr.ee/stathamgrant
Allen Jones at Bangtail Publishing, Bozeman, MT
And the fine people at:
Backountry Access for snow safety equipment including beacons, airbag packs, and snowmobile airbag vests.
Southeast Alaska Backcountry Adventures, Haines, Alaska and Will Wissman Photography
Ride Rasmussen Style riding seminars and avalanche education for backcountry snowmobilers
KLIM is the global leader in designing, developing and manufacturing the most advanced technical riding gear and motor sports apparel for the snowmobile and motorcycle rider.