...Rules of Thumb...

1. Consider the general rules NEVER TOUR AFTER A STORM. The question is how soon after the storm are conditions safe? One hour? One day? One month? A whole season?
   
   
2. When conditions are unstable, the wise travel only for the rescue of fools.
   
   
3. When it comes to judging slope stability, the rule of thumb is: That there are no rules of thumb.
   
   
4. A ski tour disaster is triggered by someone’s intuition that a slope is stable.
   
   
5. Next time you come to an avalanche slope, ask not only "will it slide?", but also, what will happen if it does slide?
   
   
6. While crossing an avalanche slope, he who hesitates is lost.
   
   
7. The family that tours close together gets buried close together.
   
   
8. The weekend ski tour begins with a Friday night call to the snow ranger or ski patrolman.
   
   
9. Carry a probe as you would have others carry a probe for you.
   
   
10. A fact for what it's worth: No one wearing an avalanche cord has been recovered dead.