Renaissance Adventure Guides

Avalanche Training

avalanche awareness

$119/person
7:1 maximum student to instructor ratio
Minimum of 3 students needed to run this lesson

This Introduction to Avalanche Safety class is meant for people frequenting avalanche terrain via lift access from ski areas and easily accessible backcountry trail heads and highway passes. This terrain is also known as “near county,” “slack country” or terrain that sees high local use. If you a relatively inexperienced back country traveler and mainly plan on doing day trips, this is a good course to get started with.
In this course you will be introduced to the risks associated with backcountry travel accessed via lift service and easily accessible roadside trailheads.  Review the history of avalanche activity in the terrain you will most likely be travel through. You will also be introduced and participate in basic avalanche safety skills common to backcountry travelers.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:
• Participants learn to identify where in local terrain avalanches have previously occurred and may occur given the right conditions. The terrain is related to avalanche potential and human consequence.
• Participants are made aware of local information resources including avalanche bulletins, avalanche signs, ski area closure signs, and local experts.
• Participants are introduced to the importance of a trip plan when mitigating the risks associated with travel in avalanche terrain. Participants are informed where to take a formal avalanche course that can increase their levels of preparation, planning, and mitigation of the risks associated with avalanches in their local terrain.
• Participants are introduced to “red flags” and “obvious clues” in identifying conditions that contribute to the formation of avalanches.
• Participants are given a demonstration of companion rescue techniques and an introduction to companion rescue equipment.

Itinerary

  • 8am-9am: Meet in Estes Park, introductions, discussion of participants'and group's objectives, gear check and review proper use of equipment, introduction to avalanche safety awareness and rescue procedures, review avalanche forecast and tour plan
  • 9-10am: Carpool to trailhead in RMNP, get ready for tour
  • 10am-12pm: Avalanche beacon tutorial, rescue techniques and practice, lunch break
  • 12-4pm: Backcountry tour, including field observations, avalanche terrain and hazard recognition; travel techniques,  route selection; time and pace management (pacing, breaks, eating and drinking); group management
  • 4-5pm: Return to Estes Park, optional tour debriefing and discussion of further learning opportunities

Recommended Gear

Personal Equipment:
Clothing for activities and standing in cold/snowy weather (no cotton)
  • long underwear
  • insulating layers
  • outer layer (wind/waterproof)
  • warm gloves, mitts, headband, and hat
  • Goggles and sunglasses
  • Small personal first aid kit (sunscreen/lip-balm, moleskin, band-aids, medication, etc.)
  • Water Bottle (pack bladders do not work well or at all in cold temps) and Thermos
  • Lunch and snacks
  • Pack (large enough for all equipment on day ski-tours)
Backcountry Travel:
  • Snow travel equipment. Snowshoes, telemark or alpine touring skis and split boards are acceptable. Nordic (cross country) ski gear is not adequate for backcountry travel in avalanche terrain.
  • Boots. Must be warm and compatible with your snow travel gear. If you are using snow shoes, you should have some sort of double boots (Sorel or other “pac” type boots). Hiking boots are not warm enough.
  • Collapsible ski poles (trekking poles are only adequate if they are equipped with snow baskets)
Rescue Equipment:
  • Avalanche probe
  • Collapsible shovel
  • Avalanche transceiver (rescue beacon)

Gear Rental Package: $20.00 (includes: snowshoes, poles, gaiters, avalanche beacon, probe  and a shovel)

Location and Dates:
Rocky Mountain National Park (8:00AM-5:00PM)

Saturday, December 12, 2009
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Saturday, February 13, 2010

Get 5 or more people together and we will run a private course on the dates of your choice, schedule permitting.

Call 303-988-2943 or email info@raguides.com if you have any questions.
 

Cancellation (Refund) Policy

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