Plan wooded backcountry travel with partner visibility, tree-well awareness, overhead terrain and a known exit. Download the route checklist.
Study the current avalanche forecast and the complete route, including openings, gullies and overhead slopes. Tree cover by itself does not remove avalanche exposure. Choose a route and exit appropriate to the group’s skills.
Plan short sections that allow partners to keep one another in sight. Identify places to regroup before losing visual contact. Discuss how to respond if a partner stops, falls or disappears from view.
Avoid skiing close to tree trunks and branches where deep, unconsolidated snow can conceal tree wells. Use a pace and line that preserve control and partner visibility. Change the route if the group cannot maintain those conditions.
Check your location at agreed landmarks. If the route becomes uncertain, stop in a suitable place, regroup and establish your position using the navigation plan. Do not automatically follow the fall line into a drainage.
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NPS describes hidden cavities around trees that can trap a person in deep snow. Avoid close approaches to trees and keep partners in view.
Assess connected terrain above a wooded or low-angle route. Ground that is too flat to release an avalanche can still be reached by one from above.
Prepare these details with the group.
| Topic | Record |
|---|---|
| Route | Entry, landmarks and intended exit |
| Partners | Visible travel sections and regroup points |
| Uncertainty | Navigation backup and emergency communication |
A clear exit helps the group recognize when it has drifted away from the plan. Existing tracks are not proof of a suitable destination.