What is 38 Degrees?
38 Degrees is a community of UK citizens working together to bring about real change in the UK by taking action on the issues that we all care about.
In nature, avalanches begin when they reach the tipping point angle of 38 Degrees. In the UK, 38 Degrees members work together to bring about real change in the UK by taking action on the issues that we all care about, to create an avalanche for change.
38 Degrees believes that power should rest with the people: we provide simple and effective tools for hundreds of thousands of us to influence the decisions that affect us all. We work together to defend fairness, protect constitutional rights, promote peace, preserve the planet and deepen democracy.
Is 38 Degrees connected to a political party?
Definitely not. We are not connected with any political parties, and are funded by donations from members. Our independence means that we can campaign on issues that we feel passionately about and that we decide on together. We are driven by issues and outcomes, and judge all politicians by the same standards.
S I G N U P !
...and from the US Forest Service website...
"Basic Guidelines: Hazards of Winter Recreation"
- 95 percent of avalanche accidents are triggered by the victim.
- 95 percent of accidents occur in the backcountry. Avalanche workers control avalanches with explosives at most ski areas and above highways. But, as soon as you cross a ski area boundary or leave the highway, you must become your own avalanche expert.
- Most avalanche victims are 15 to 35 years old, male,
educated, and intelligent. They may be backcountry skiers,
snowmobilers, snowboarders, or climbers. Although most are very skilled at their sport, they have low to moderate
avalanche skills. - Almost all avalanche accidents involve slab avalanches,
which are similar to a dinner plate sliding off an inclined
table. Slab avalanches occur when the additional weight of
new snow, wind-blown snow or a person overloads the
strength of a buried weak layer. - Most fatal avalanches are small–less than 3 feet deep, less than 300 feet wide and less than 600 vertical feet.
Avalanche Terrain There are four terrain factors affecting snow avalanches; slope
steepness, slope profile, slope aspect and ground cover.
Slope steepness Few avalanches occur on slopes with a
steepness of 30 degrees or less. On slopes steep er than 45
degrees, the snow sluffs continuously so slabs do not tend to
build up. The danger zone exists between 30 and 45 degrees,
with avalanche danger reaching its maximum at 38 degrees.
For comparison, the steepest slopes at most ski areas are
between 35 and 40 degrees–prime steepness for triggering
an avalanche. It is best to avoid slopes that are as steep as an
expert slope at a ski area.
