Avalanche Terrain Exposure Scale (ATES), a system used by backcountry travelers to assess the potential risk of avalanches in a given area. It helps individuals make informed decisions about the level of risk when navigating through avalanche-prone terrain. onX Backcountry has constructed an ATES layer by utilizing a variety of inputs as well as working closely with avalanche centers to localize our data.
onX aims to introduce the ATES rating system to the United States through its navigation app. Collaborating with John Sykes, a doctoral researcher specializing in this field, the onX is developing an automated version of ATES, termed autoATES. This initiative involves compiling existing information and firsthand observations used by avalanche and snow safety experts to assess local terrain avalanche risks, constructing geospatial models that predict avalanche release areas and potential zones based on factors like slope angles, wind patterns, and forest density. This resulting ATES terrain classification offers crucial insights for backcountry users.
Learn More about ATES here: www.onxmaps.co...
30 сен 2024
