Slope Angel SLOPE ANGEL V1.0 User manual

WHY SLOPE ANGEL:
• Slope Angel is an essential aid that enables assessment of the safety of the terrain when skiers,
mountaineers, hikers and rescue teams venture into the mountains away from marked pistes and trails.
• Two of the vital factors in identifying avalanche terrain are slope angle and air temperature.
• Slope Angel is an electronic inclinometer and thermometer, designed to accurately measure mountain
slope gradients between 0º to 90º and air temperature ºC and ºF.
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Place a ski pole,
ice axe or similar on
the slope parallel to
the slope axis.
2. Place the Slope
Angel onto the
ski pole and press
the on button.
3. Slope Angel will
display the angle
of the slope and air
temperature.
4. After 16 seconds
Slope Angel will turn
off automatically.
Slide out cue cards

DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS:
Dimensions: 50 x 20 x 8 mm
Weight: 30g
Casing: ABS Thermoplastic
Power supply: Button cell 1225 3V replaceable battery
Display: LCD
Operating temperature: -30º + 60º
Approvals: CE & FCC
Warranty: 2 years
•On button scrolls through temperature in Celsius/
Fahrenheit and slope angle
•Automatically turns off after 16 seconds

REDUCING AVALANCHE RISK:
• Check the weather forecast and avalanche danger level prior to departure.
Inform someone not on the trip where you are planning to go and your estimated
return time.
•Smaller groups are safer. Be sure that team members possess the correct skill
level for the trip.
•Ensure that every team member has a shovel and probe as well as a fully charged
transceiver and training on how to use it.
•Practice using your Slope Angel before departure.
•Assess what type of terrain surrounds you; release areas, terrain traps, or runout
areas and take advantage of safer terrain such as ridges.
•Where the ascent slope is over 30º steep, keep a minimum distance of 10 meters
between each skier.
•When the descent slope is steeper than 30º, ski down one at a time and wait in a
safe place for the other team members.
SLOPE
ANGLE
AVALANCHE
RISK
20º - 30º 3%
30º - 34º 8%
34º - 45º 76%
45º - 50º 10%
50º - 60º 3%

AVALANCHE RISK CODE
Low and Moderate Risk: Generally safe conditions.
Avalanches are unlikely but minor avalanches
could occur under heavy loads on a few identified
extreme slopes.
Considerable and High Risk: Medium or even large
avalanches could be triggered on several slopes.
Spontaneous avalanches are likely, conditions are
considered dangerous.
Very High (extreme): High chances of avalanches
expected. Unstable snow conditions mean large
spontaneous avalanches can occur even on
gentle slopes.
There are 3 main types of avalanches:
Powder: Often starts from a single point and
accumulates snow as it moves down the slope. This
usually occurs after a very heavy fall of snow and can
travel at incredibly fast speeds.
Slab: This is a compact snow layer that can detach
from a weaker layer underneath. The slab breaks off
in a single section before breaking into more pieces.
Wet: When the temperature rises – possibly due to
a spring thaw – the snow becomes heavier as it melts.
AVALANCHE RISK 1. LOW RISK 2. MODERATE 3. CONSIDERABLE 4. HIGH 5. VERY HIGH
(EXTREME)
FRENCH FLAG
U.S. COLOUR CODE

An avalanche is a mass that can be a mix of snow ice, rocks and debris that travels down the mountain.
Avalanches occur due to a number of triggers such as overloading, temperature, slope angle and snow pack
conditions. Overloading occurs when the amount of falling snow or a group of skiers/mountaineers place too much
weight on the slope – this puts pressure on the snow pack and destabilises its structure. Snow is made up of an
infinite number of crystals of differing shapes and it is the shape that has a huge affect on how layers of snow
bond together. Changes in temperature can alter the shape of these crystals and it is this that has an effect on the
cohesion of the snow. A rise in temperature weakens the bonds, whilst a fall in temperature increases the brittleness
and tension of the slab. Slope angle is one of the most important factors, with 76% of all avalanches occurring
between 34º to 45º. The snow pack condition is hard to verify as the layers below the upper section cannot be
seen and it is difficult to assess whether the slope is likely to slip as either a full depth avalanche or a surface slide.
This is where local knowledge and reviewing the previous snow fall and conditions is vital in assessing risk.
Common fracture line
Tension zone A concave slope is much less
likely to avalanche than a
convex slope. Convex slopes
create tension and cause
weakness and fracture points.

DISCLAIMER
Whilst Slope Angel provides you with vital information, it is the responsibility of individuals to take appropriate
precautions prior to departure. When planning a trip out for a day’s skiing, hiking or winter climbing etc, it
is essential that you are avalanche aware. Carry out comprehensive research of the area of your activities,
heeding local knowledge, weather forecasts, safety warnings and any advice available via local media regarding
avalanches, piste closures, rock falls, landslides and high water levels. Ensure that team members possess
the correct skill level for the trip. Tell someone who is not going with you where you are planning to go and
your estimated return time. Ensure every team member has a fully charged transceiver and is trained to use it.
Check everyone has a shovel and probe. Take out adequate insurance for your activities and carry details
of this with you at all times.
Have fun and enjoy the mountains.