Skill Builder - Level 1 Avalanche

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: Friday, March 7, 2008, All day (8 Hours) at the Mazama lodge.  Lunch will be provided on Friday at the lodge.
Field session: Saturday and Sunday, March 8 and 9, 2008, 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: $120 members, $150 non-members
To register: Fill out the application to reserve your spot. Be sure to record your contact information on the application. APPLICATION DEADLINE IS FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 2008.  We will be accepting 20 applications so send yours in early.

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 standards.  You can find AAA Level 1 guidelines here.

The Friday lecture will be held at the Mazama Lodge from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm with 1 hour lunch break.

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 Sunday morning.

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. 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

About the Instructor
The Mazama Ski Mountaineering Committee is sponsoring our chief instructor, Roger Averbeck Roger has decades of experience guiding backcountry tours and teaching recreational avalanche courses in the Wallawa Mountains of eastern Oregon and other areas. Roger will be assisted by other instructors from the Mazama Ski Mountaineering program.

Roger Averbeck
Backcountry Avalanche Safety, Inc.
203 Leone Ave
Enterprise, OR 97828
503-679-1447

Please contact the Mazamas or if you have any more questions about this class.