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    • Partnerships
    • Staff and Volunteers
    • Contact
    • Find Us
    • Get Involved >
      • Donate
      • Our Partners
      • Our Supporters
    • Galena Creek Volunteers
  • Park Resources
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    • Learning Resources
    • Wildfire Information and Safety
  • Events
    • Events Calendar
    • Guided Hikes
    • Special Events
  • Youth Education Camps
    • Great Basin Naturalist Camps
    • Camp-in-a-Box
    • Teacher Resources >
      • Alternative Field Studies Program >
        • Alternative Field Studies Committee
      • Field Trip in a Box
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  • Community Programs
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2/17/2021 0 Comments

All About Avalanches

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Every winter, there are instances of people getting trapped in avalanches. This is an unfortunate and devastating part of outdoor winter recreation. An avalanche is a mass of snow that slides rapidly down a slope, usually a steep mountain side. Avalanches can be triggered by weather, such as drastic changes in temperature or wind-drifting snow, or by human activities, such as stress from skiers. Most avalanches occur in the backcountry, where the snow isn’t meticulously managed. In and around ski resorts, avalanche experts often create avalanches in strategic spots to prevent natural avalanches from damaging property or hurting patrons. Almost all avalanches occur on slopes between 25 and 50 degrees, above treeline, and facing away from prevailing winds. This side of the slope tends to collect a lot of snow. 
Between 20 and 40 people die each year in North America due to avalanches; 90% of these deaths are from slides caused by the victims or their parties. Fortunately, there are many things you can do to reduce risk. 
  1. Check the avalanche forecast in the area you’re going. In the Sierras, we have the Bridgeport Avalanche Center and the Sierra Avalanche Center. 
  2. Carry rescue gear and know how to use it. REI sells several different avalanche rescue equipment kits. Don’t skimp on this gear; it could save you or a loved one!
  3. Take a course on avalanche awareness and safety. These courses will teach you the basics of reading terrain and how to ski as safely as possible.
  4. Learn to recognize the five red flags: recent avalanches, shooting cracks, “whumpfing”, big changes in weather, and a persistent slab avalanche. 
Remember, when it comes to avalanches and backcountry skiing, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Make responsible decisions, do your research, and bring appropriate gear!

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2/8/2021 3 Comments

All About Snowflakes

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Snowflakes are clusters of ice crystals that form around a piece of dust or sediment. You’ve probably heard that all snowflakes are unique and no two snowflakes are identical, and it’s true! Wilson Bentley was a meteorologist and photographer in the late 1800s and early 1900s who documented thousands of snowflakes with his camera. He never observed two snowflakes that were identical. There are several different types of snowflakes that form at different temperatures and humidity levels. The snowflakes we generally think of are dendrites, which have six sides and often have elaborate designs and details. These form at moderate temperatures (-5-15oF) and high humidity. There are several other types of snowflakes that are less elaborate, visible in this chart.

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2/4/2021 0 Comments

All About Snow: What is snow and how does it form?

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In Reno, we get snow every year. The amount of snow and timing fluctuates significantly from year to year, but we wait for it and expect it regardless. Snow consists of ice crystals that form in clouds high in the sky. They then fall to the ground and accumulate into a layer of snow. Clouds are made of water vapor, which is water in its gaseous form. When the atmosphere where the clouds are gets too cold the water vapor condenses directly into ice, skipping the liquid water phase, and falling to the ground as snow. Snow is considered a mineral because it’s a naturally occurring inorganic, homogeneous solid.

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    This blog is managed by the staff and volunteers of Galena Creek Visitor Center. We write about parts of the natural world that we find fascinating and want to teach others about, as well as keeping you updated on the Visitor Center and park. If you want to learn more, please sign up for our monthly newsletter, where we share upcoming events, updates on the ecology of the park, and highlights from each month.

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