Sastrugi sas·tru·ga, plural sas·tru·gi: a wavelike ridge of hard snow formed by the wind—usually used in plural.
With knowledge about the prevailing wind of an area, you can keep a bearing by navigating using the sastrugi (snow ridges). First an example:
The blue symbols on our compass illustrate this example.
Prevailing wind is northwest (NW). You need to be traveling east.
What direction, at approximately how many degrees, should you be traveling on the snow pack? Describe in your own words the direction you need to be traveling on the sastrugi.
To solve:
1. Figure out what direction the wind is blowing using the compass
2. Determine the direction of the drifts. 3. Look to the key for approximate degree. 4. Write a short description. Answer:
Approximately 135˚ degrees
I will have the team running horizontally across the snow drifts towards the right. We will hit/cross the snow drifts at an angle and they will disappear behind me!