POWMAN Guide

A Risk Management program for guides or other professionals working in the snow.
Powman Guide offers the exchange of information between professionals and a risk management program, tailored to your professional work.

Exchange of information

The programs structure and universal language allows you to exchange information with your colleagues. You can consult colleague’s information or follow the evolution of the snowpack stability of another region before you go there.

Consultation of information

A directory gives you access to 3 types of observations:

Estimates of stability carried out before going into the field
Stability reports established after being in the field
Stratigraphic analysis Summary of analysis of the snowpack, Compression Test (CT), Extended Compression Test (ECT) or complete profiles of the snowpack can supplement this stratigraphic information

Each observation has its own identity card. This allows you to know the type, date and location of the observation. It will give you a good indication on what the overall conditions and stability in the area, allows you to know who did the observation and what his qualifications are (guide, avalanche technicians, patrolmen, etc.)
All observations are sorted by dates with the most recent date first.
You can refine your search by using the “Filter” function to select a country, a region, a place, a date, a specific editor.

This list of observations is completed by:

a runcatalog which includes information about a run or a skitouring route
avalanche’s reports

test

test

Analysis of stability and choice of the framework you intend to work with

- ASK THE RIGHT QUESTIONS, NATURE WILL PROVIDE YOU WITH THE ASWER!

A 3-step analysis:

Establish a general stability estimate with your observations
Choose a framework to work with based on your stability analysis
Determine the stability of the chosen terrain (s) and identify problems specific to the terrain characteristics

Evaluation of stability

We begin by observing the elements and interactions that affect the stability of the snowpack. Observation of the elements can be done without measuring instrument.
The analysis is structured by class of information:

weather observations
observations of signs of instability (cracking, snowpack settlements, stability test)
evaluation of other elements and interactions that influence stability

Each element is evaluated separately. A stability index is assigned to each element observed.
The structure of the analysis and the multiplicity of information taken into account reduce the risk of error in the analysis.
Once the stability assessment has been completed, the overall stability of the snowpack can be visualized by color coding.

Choose a framework to work

The choice of terrain on which we will venture into, is a personal choice.
Of course it is determined primarily by the stability of the snowpack, but the experience of the person (s) as well as his knowledge of the terrain will determine different choices from one person to another.
We have 2 parameters to define this choice:

The type of field
For the type of terrain, we choose to use: the Alpine – Treeline – Below Treeline rather than the altitude because this is more relevant internationally.The influence of the wind on the snowpack determined this type of classification.
Alpine, ridge line, summit slopes: strong influence of the wind.
Treeline, meadow, vegetation limit zone: average influence of the wind.
Below treeline, forest area or below forests: little or no influence by the wind.
The slope angle
Choice of the gradient of the slope according to the international scale:
Moderate < 30° / Steep 30°-35° / Very Steep > 35°

Once you have determined your working environment (terrain, slope angle), you are able to give it a more accurate index of stability. For this we use the international stability scale.
It is also possible to value your definition of stability by giving it a confidence level.

Definition of the stability of the terrain selected and identification of problems relating to the characteristics of the field

Finally, we note the problems relating to the characteristics of the terrain* in a comment window provided for this purpose under each type of terrain.

*STF (Specific Terrain Feature) : specific characteristics of the terrain that increase the risk of triggering or the consequences of an avalanche (unsupported slopes, convex slopes, concavities, large slopes, slope breaks, etc.)