Run List: A framework for tour planning
Author: Justin Davis
The run list framework has been attributed to Thierry Cardon, a guide from Canadian Mountain Holiday (CMH), a heli-skiing operation in Canada, in response to a number of near misses in the infancy of their operation. As the legend goes, the early years of CMH had uncommonly stable snow conditions and over the course of the seasons, the guides became more and more emboldened. There was also a level of competition, both to ski the best and steepest lines, and to provide the best experiences for their guests. However, once conditions became more typical (less certain/bombproof) to their zone, CMH experienced a rash of near miss avalanche incidents. Cardon and CMH colleagues developed the run list framework in response.
The run list combats decision-making fueled by stoke or “Powder Fever” (as the old Dads say) by using a thoughtful, systematic approach. It also prevents a decision maker from becoming anchored into a single piece of data (such as a ski cut or pit result), which does not translate to an accurate slope-scale forecast. While the run list has become industry practice for guided operations, it is still relatively unknown and not well documented for the recreationist.
The run list is just that — a list of runs that are either available for travel for the day or 100% off-limits for the day. This determination is based on the current avalanche problems and how they will affect safety of movement in the terrain. Think of it as laying the forecast over terrain and determining what terrain is safe for travel.
Green indicates an open run. You still need to use good travel practices, making observation and snow stability tests along the way. Be on the lookout for a reason to turn a green run to red at any point.
A red run is a closed run, meaning don’t ski or ascend no matter what. Once a run is rated red (even for a minute) it is closed for the day and it cannot be re-opened, period.
Yellow is a closed (red) run unless a specific pre-determined condition is met. For example, if the avalanche forecast is calling for 12 inches of new snow, and the avalanche forecast identifies storm slab as the primary concern. At the bottom of the run and there is no evidence of snow, or only a light dusting, then the yellow would become a green. However, continue to use good practices for travel and continuous decision making in avalanche terrain.
While it is tempting to rate everything yellow, it completely defeats the purpose of the run list. A big heuristic trap is to have a tour plan that states “let’s go take a look and ski some powder;” it is almost impossible to dismiss a bias to ski untracked powder when your staring at great powder. The run list is a structure that prevent falling into that trap.
CREATING A RUN LIST:
Backcountry riders should make the run list together before they put their boots on and set foot outside the car/hut, perhaps in a bar the night prior or while getting a caffeine boost in the dark-hours of the morning.
WHAT TO CONSIDER:
1. Knowledge of the basic topography of the runs including aspect, elevation, vegetation, etc.
2. Current conditions based on the avalanche and weather forecasts and/or previous day’s observations when available.
WHAT TO DO:
Step 1: List all of the possible runs for a day.
For a heli-operation this means all of the runs in the tenure. For recreationists, it would be everything that they could access from a tent/trailhead.
Step 2: Check the avalanche and weather forecasts.
For the Cascade and Olympic mountains of Washington and northern Oregon, your go-to should be: https://www.nwac.us/
Step 3: Rate each run based on the terrain and forecast for that day.
Open runs are green. Closed runs are red. Once the tour starts, you cannot change (“open”) red runs to green. Yellow runs are considered closed unless specific, pre-determined criteria are met.
Step 4: Go out and enjoy the day, making sure to adhere to your run list for the day.
Step 5: Have a post-tour discussion (aka “debrief”) about the day’s run list with your buddies. Reflect on what went well, what did not, errors that were made and what can be improved upon next time.
Step 6: Submit any pertinent snow and weather observations to the local avalanche center.
For the Cascade and Olympic mountains of Washington and northern Oregon: https://www.nwac.us/observations/submit/
Curious to learn more on this concept? The run list is now being taught in the American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education (AIARE) Recreational Level 1 and 2 courses, thanks in part to Colin Zacharias, a former CMH guide and colleague of Atkins and Cardon.
Special thanks to Rob Coppolillo for editing and guidance. Background lore from conversations with Robson Gmoser, January 2015.
