Prepare a backcountry review with current forecasts, terrain decisions, companion rescue practice and snow observations that retain their limitations.
Review the proposed activity, each person’s avalanche education, travel skills and rescue practice. Choose an appropriate course or qualified guide when needed. Owning rescue equipment or completing a checklist does not establish the ability to assess avalanche terrain or manage an incident.
Use the forecast for the actual region, issue time and intended travel period. Discuss its avalanche problems, affected terrain and uncertainty, then identify route alternatives and turnaround conditions. Include access, timing, weather, terrain traps and the consequences of a mistake; a single slope measurement is not a terrain assessment.
Check each person’s transceiver, probe and shovel and use the equipment-specific checks taught in rescue training. For supervised range trials, record actual ground distances, antenna orientation, tested extent and no-signal outcomes. Investigate anomalous trials with the instructor or manufacturer; trial averages do not establish search-strip width or a service pass.
Review observations only as part of the wider forecast, terrain and group assessment. If trained personnel have performed standardized ECTs, record the complete code, time, site and fracture depth in the observation tool. ECTN and ECTX do not prove a slope is safe; never convert tap counts into a regional danger score.
Agree how the group communicates concerns, keeps track of partners and requests emergency assistance. Rehearse the incident roles learned in training and identify where the plan will be reassessed. Anyone must be able to raise a concern; absence of an alarming test result is not a reason to override it.
Retain the forecast reference, actual route, observations, decisions and rescue-practice notes. Compare the plan with what occurred and identify gaps for the next course or guided session. Keep a portable copy of useful records while treating every later trip as a new assessment.
Summarize supervised ground-distance trials, preserving missing and no-signal outcomes without deriving rescue search width.
Retain complete ECT codes and observation context; do not infer slope approval or avalanche danger.
Loading your checklist…
Use the matching equipment instructions, current local information and qualified instruction. These sources explain the scope of the review; records do not certify competence or terrain safety.
Retain the forecast reference, actual route, observations, decisions and rescue-practice notes. Compare the plan with what occurred and identify gaps for the next course or guided session. Keep a portable copy of useful records while treating every later trip as a new assessment.