Allen Giernet, who runs the SoCal Snow Avalanche Center and teaches safety courses, recommends a few key pieces of equipment when heading out to snow-covered backcountry.
Among them: an emergency beacon, avalanche transceiver, collapsible shovel and probe. The equipment will help locate and rescue people who have become trapped in a snow avalanche.
[Ads /]
"The rule of thumb is if you're buried more than six feet, the chance of survival is pretty slim," Giernet said.
Southern California rescue crews have been busy this winter rescuing people from avalanches at places like Mount Baldy during this season's heavy storms.
[Ads /]
For additional tips on avalanche safety, see the video above.