Daisy
You're right of course - snow can be far more dangerous than people think, <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> and avolanches can happen on much lower terain than seems reasonable.
However I was talking about scrambling on rock while BPing, <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> you certainly are far more experienced in the Alpine realm than I. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

So maybe you will talk to us about movement on snow and ice in non-alpine climbing - more like what BPers might encounter and what to avoid. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> Don't get technical. I stopped them at class 4 scrambling, your job is to discuss class 3 snow. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

I for one walked across a high snowfield, slipped and stopped about 1/4 mile later - unharmed. No iceaxe of course, or even an understading of how dangerous what I was doing could be. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> In fact as I think of the total impunity with which I climbed steep snow and didn't even know I could die from a slip. My friend was amased when he slipped at the top of a shallow snow field, dug in his hands and toes, and still slid all the way to the bottom before he stopped. You cannot self arrest without an adequate tool. Perhaps the self arrest is the minimal snow knowledge required - besides not stepping in Crevasses, but thats technical of course. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Jim <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />