36 CWMP 2013-2014 Winter Field Season Report
Recommended:
Umbrella (useful for recording data when it's snowing)
Tracking Field Guides
Field Team Preparation
Team-leaders should ensure several days in advance that they are well prepared for a
planned survey expedition. Advance preparations include at least the following:
Inform DOT and/or highway patrol of your intentions and the dates of your survey.
Consult them about expected snow conditions and verify access to highway exits at
your survey site. The telephone number of the DOT Maintenance Office for
Snoqualmie Pass area is 425-434-5608.
For Transects where a SNOPARK Pass is required, be sure that you have printed out a
placard with information on CWMP to post in every vehicle which will be parked at
the SNOPARK
Keep track of the weather and snowfall at your site in the days before your visit day.
Some resources for this include: The DOT website (including webcams) and NOAA
websites. Certain conditions may make a field expedition too dangerous or
unadvisable; if this is the case it needs to be rescheduled with your team.
Find out and record the most recent snow fall. http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/ has good
information about conditions at the Pass including webcams. http://www.noaa.gov/ is
another good resource. You can also call the Snoqualmie Pass Maintenance Office at
425-434-5608.
Check you have all equipment ready and working.
Check in with your team to ensure they are ready and so is their equipment.
Decide on final return-time, bearing in mind the weather forecast, possibility of
snowy conditions on the road, and early darkness—as well as the schedules of your
team-members.
Ensure at least one member of the team has a reliable watch.
Field Procedures: Highway Transects
Team Leader:
1) On arriving at your site with your team, first ensure that vehicles are parked safely.
2) Gather your team together and review your day plan with them to ensure everyone is
on the same page. Check everyone has all necessary equipment (see list above). Bring
a cell phone for emergencies. Also ensure that volunteers all have sufficient warm
clothing, water/tea, food, and other outdoor or safety equipment (eg. snowshoes,
flashlight, lighter, etc.) for the day. Ensure that everyone is familiar with emergency
procedures (Call 911).
3) Find the transect starting point. To do this, use the site descriptions in this document,
and/or brightly colored survey tape left by previous teams. Highway transects are at a
distance of about 150 meters from the road at the point you left the highway.
