Going into the backcountry in the winter comes with the risk of avalanches. It doesn’t matter where you are, what the snowpack is like, or how low of an angle the terrain is, if you’re on snow, there’s always a risk of that snow sliding. Learning to go into the backcountry means learning how to understand and manage that risk. Where are avalanches most common, when are avalanches most common, what causes avalanches, etc, etc.
High marking, or high pointing, is when a snowmobile operator rides their machine as far up a steep slope as possible, quickly turns the machine around, and rides it back down, all without (hopefully) falling off the sled or getting stuck. It’s also a great way to trigger an avalanche, if you’re not smart about it.
Now let’s be very clear. It’s very possible to high mark while mitigating avalanche risks. Just because snowmobilers are on a machine doesn’t mean they’re more likely to cause an avalanche than backcountry skiers or snowboarders. But high marking does significantly increase a rider’s impact on the snowpack, leading to a notably increased avalanche risk. If you’re going to go into the backcountry and try things like this, you really should make sure you have the knowledge and education to do so.
Understanding how our actions impact the snowpack is an integral part to understanding how to mitigate avalanches. The American Alpine Institute TikTok page posts tons of videos detailing avalanche safety, climbing safety, mountaineering safety, skiing safety, and so much more. Make sure to check out the rest of their page if this stuff interests you, and consider taking an avalanche course through one of the many organizations that offers such things.
Related: Snowboarder Triggers Avalanche With 5 Foot Crown
Image Credit: American Alpine Institue via TikTok