Avy Rating/Coding system

[pointemstraight]

I'm new to the backcountry... so far, skiing with skiers who are far more experienced than I regarding backcountry and avie knowledge. I'm taking it slow, and learning a lot. Have been to the beach in LA about 20 times practicing beacon recoveries, buring it anywhere from 6 inches under to 3 feet down. I've got an avy course coming up in a few weeks that I'm definitely looking forward to as well.

My JONG question for the afternoon - what is the avalache rating system that I see posted in parentheses next to avalanche stats?

[PNWbrit]

http://www.avalanche.org/~issw/96/art_12_02.html

[AltaPowderDaze]

this may be the one you are looking for (http://tetongravity.com/forums/showthread.php?t=22919)

also here (http://geosurvey.state.co.us/avalanche/Default.aspx?tabid=292)

[Summit]

http://geosurvey.state.co.us/avalanche/Default.aspx?tabid=111