Skill Builder - Level 1 Avalanche

Mazamas Level 1 Avalanche Awareness Skill Builder Application Form

THANKS FOR YOUR PATIENCE.  WE ARE VERY EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE THAT WE HAVE SELECTED AN INSTRUCTOR FOR THE 2013 CLASS.  WE ARE NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR THE MARCH 15,16,17 CLASS, WHICH WILL BE HELD AT THE MAZAMA LODGE.  THANK YOU.

Our skill builder classes designed to teach, in one evening (or day) of lecture and one day of field practice, some of the essential skills needed to take your climbing to the next level.  (If you’d like to assist in teaching any of these classes, call the Mazamas and we’ll set you up).

Level 1 Avalanche

Lecture and field: Friday, March 15th, 2013, All day (8 Hours) at the Mazama Lodge.  Lunch will be provided on Friday.
Field session: Saturday and Sunday, March 16th and 17th, 2013 based out of the Mazama Lodge.  We will travel to a location in Mt Hood area (exact location will depend on weather) and return to the Mazama lodge. Be sure to indicate on your application if you will be staying overnight at the lodge and if you wish to have dinner provided for you for friday and Saturday nights, breakfast and packed lunches on Saturday and/or Sunday.  Costs for overnight stays at the lodge and all meals (except Friday lunch) are NOT part of fee for the class.
Cancellation/refunds: Cancellation fee is 50% of application fee if canceled 7 days or more prior to the lecture. No refund if canceled within 7 days of lecture.
Cost: $195 members, $235 non-members
To register: Fill out the application to reserve your spot. Be sure to record your contact information on the application.

Instructor Bio:
Forest McBrian is an IFMGA/UIAGM Certified Mountain Guide based in North Bend, Washington. He grew up in Oregon where he began wandering in the mountains at a young age, and discovered mountaineering in Chamonix when he was 17 years old. Forest holds a BA in English and French and works full-time, year-round as a mountain guide. In his spare time he explores new ski traverses, ski descents, and alpine routes in the Cascade mountains.  Check out more on Forest at http://www.forestmcbrian.com.
Lecture details
The lecture will cover introductory material on the influence of terrain, snowpack, weather, routefinding, and human factors/decision making on avalanche risk. This includes a video on beacon principles and use. The book “Staying Alive in Avalanche Terrain” by Bruce Temper (2001) is strongly encouraged reading material for this class. We’ll also cover beacon technology and use in avalanche rescue.

The class will be taught to American Avalanche Association Level 1 guidlines.  You can find AAA Level 1 guidelines here.

Field session details
The weekend field sessions start at the Mazama Lodge in Government Camp at 8am.  Students may want to stay at the lodge to avoid having to drive to Government camp both Saturday and Sunday mornings.

The location for the field session will be determined by the weather and conditions that morning. Possible field sites include Timberline (good weather), White River west, Bennett Pass, or Lower Heather Canyon (mediocre weather), or Mazama Lodge (Less than ideal weather).

Weekend field sessions will cover at least the following information:

• Snow stability evaluation (detailed snow pits, hasty pits, formal and informal stability tests, recording pit information)
• Practice route selection and safe travel techniques
• Practice avalanche companion rescue
• Practice avalanche situation evaluation and field tests
• Learn and practice use of avalanche beacons and probes

Gear and equipment
Mazamas will provide beacons and a limited number of probes and shovels. Students are encouraged to bring these gear items if they have them.
In addition, please bring clothing and footwear appropriate for being in snow all day, dress warmly as you might not be moving around very much, and consider a thermos of hot beverages. Bring a packed lunch and snacks for Saturday and Sunday Field sessions.  Snow travel will be needed to access the training area, so backcountry skis or snowshoes may be required for all participants.

Suggested Reading
“Staying Alive in Avalanche Terrain” by Bruce Temper

Please contact the Mazamas or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) if you have any more questions about this class.