UTAH: avalanche courses....?

[Lynx]

any suggestions?

i've found a class at alta in december by the american avalanche institute or one in jan or feb at brighton by exum mountain guides. or i've found various "create your own classes" (with 4 to 8 ppl) from Exum, alpen pro, jim frankenfield....

December sounds good cause i'd like to attend a course sooner than later.

has anyone put their own class together with anyone mentioned above or even not mentioned above?

thanks for the input

[slim]

American Avalanche Institute has a pretty stellar reputation.

[gramps]

Avalanche workshop (1.5 hrs), Avalanche class (2.0 hrs) at the U. I don't know whether you'd have to be a student or what. I'd recommend the workshop if you can do it, the 2.0 hour is just more snow science and written tests, which sucked. I've heard the Utah Avalanche Center has classes too, they'll put it up on their website I'm sure

[Lynx]

Avalanche workshop (1.5 hrs), Avalanche class (2.0 hrs) at the U. I don't know whether you'd have to be a student or what. I'd recommend the workshop if you can do it, the 2.0 hour is just more snow science and written tests, which sucked. I've heard the Utah Avalanche Center has classes too, they'll put it up on their website I'm sure

is that just classroom stuff though? im lookin for both classroom and field stuff, like digging pits and block tests and what not.

[Red Baron]

Lynx: If you want to do the make-your-own-group thing, I've got myself and 2 others who would like to join in on a Level 1 course.

If that doesn't work, I plan to take the Utah Avalanche Center course at the Wasatch Mountain Lodge at Brighton, which is usually in January, I believe. That's a 3 day mix of on-snow and classroom stuff.

[Lynx]

the make your own might be worth looking into. the january one isn't until martin luther king weekend. i cant wait that long! heh. the one at brighton sounds pretty cool though, and it's cool that you can just stay up there over night at the lodge.

[AltaPowderDaze]

i took one at alta put on by ols a few years back. it is taught by mostly udot guys who are out there everyday. the cost was only $35. i can't remember how many days it was, but it did have an field day. i still have the number for a guy who used to teach the avy class at the u. he is well respected among the trollers up in lcc. i think his name is bill harris, but i can't remember. he will also teach a make your own class type of deal. he seems to be ok on price and just enjoys teaching.

[gramps]

There are field sessions in those U classes for sure. BCC generally.

[cololi]

The U classes are good. Way more information than a normal bc traveler would use, but definetely a good class. I think they offer it as a continuing education course as weell, so it is available to those not enrolled in the U. When I took it, we never went in BCC, we were in LCC for every field session. Does Bill Harrison still teach it?

Also, Powderbird Guides have an avalanche class, it is only one day, morning class room session and afternoon heli ride to do some field work. I felt that the course was geared to novices and if you've had any previous course it was pretty boring.

The National Ski Patrol teaches level 1 and 2 avie courses. they used to be open to non patrollers, don't know if they still are or not. probably depends on the number of people registered.

I highly recommend the 3 day course taught by UAC that RB talked about. The only drawback is that it is in the middle of the season, whcih is good for field work, but not good if you want to get out in the backcountry early.

Also, there are numerous free clinics that are only a few hours long. Bruce Tremper usually teaches one that is held at REI in December.

I also recommend purchasing the book "Snow Sense" It is a great manual for the everyday bc traveller, short enough to read in an hour or so but full of useful information. There are other books out there, but his one is by far the best for the average person.

{Brief Hijack: seeing as the season is nearly here, anyone up for some beacon drills? end hijack}

[AltaPowderDaze]

cololi,

count me in on the beacon drills.

[Red Baron]

Speaking of Beacon Practice; I'm working with the Friends of the Utah Avalanche Center right now to try to find a location for a "Beacon Basin" - Backcountry Access has offered to donate a really cool beacon training range (like they have in Kirkwood & other spots) if we can find a place to put it!

Feelers are out to all BCC/LCC resorts, but no one is jumping on it yet; most likely we'll have on in place by the start of the season...

[skinnyskier]

I did the Exum course a few years back with Julie Faure, Cowboy, and Spencer Wheately. They did a really good job. On the other hand, Rod Newcomb and AAI have a solid reputation. So, pick the one which fits your schedule best. Definitely also go to one of Bruce Tremper's free talks at REI.

[Lumpy]

Lynx, RB,
Keep me posted on what you two are gearing for. I NEED to get some professional help with this....the other personal issues, I'll tackle as they come up.

Seriously interested in taking a level one course. Fairly early on this year.

[CS]

I took the class at Brighton taught by the UAC. A really good course that mixes classromm work at night, and field work in the day. All the people teaching it work with the UAC and there was some significant knowledge there. I definitely recommend it. The good thing about doing it in January is you have a nice deep snowpack to learn on. When I did it we were lucky enough to be in the middle of a nice storm cycle which really helped to learn as we could see everything going on. THe only problem was, the temps hovered around the low teens every day we were out.

[13]

BYOT (Bring Your Own Transciever), right?

[Twoplanker]

What's the skinny on courses in Cache Valley?

Also, anyone up here interested in some beacon drills? I need to learn how to use mine, I guess :rolleyes:

[Lumpy]

What's the skinny on courses in Cache Valley?

Also, anyone up here interested in some beacon drills? I need to learn how to use mine, I guess :rolleyes:

I'll check with my contact at PowderMt. to see if there is anything slated there this year on the level 1 courses...if you are interested. Flyk might have 'basin info also...since he's connected.

[cololi]

Lynx, RB,
Keep me posted on what you two are gearing for. I NEED to get some professional help with this....the other personal issues, I'll tackle as they come up.

Seriously interested in taking a level one course. Fairly early on this year.

Keep me in the loop too. It's been a couple of years since I had a refresher course.

[Ski Monkey]

I need to get my avy one out of the way this winter. Last year there was a mid december course for it. Not sure what's up this year. Keep me in the loop about it all.

[dirtbag]

There's a level 1 course at Alta around December 10-12 or so. They all cost around $175-200, I think its by American Avalanche institute. I'll probably drop the $ for that one. Expensive, but I guess you get what you pay for. BTW, Alta patrol will pretty much always do beacon drills @ the top of Germ, that's one of the things that they're for. Sorry if any of this already got posted in this thread, Sox are literally dirving me to the drink.

[midget]

Speaking of Beacon Practice; I'm working with the Friends of the Utah Avalanche Center right now to try to find a location for a "Beacon Basin" - Backcountry Access has offered to donate a really cool beacon training range (like they have in Kirkwood & other spots) if we can find a place to put it!

Feelers are out to all BCC/LCC resorts, but no one is jumping on it yet; most likely we'll have on in place by the start of the season...

Damn RB, that would be really cool. keep us posted!

[SLCFreshies]

I would be interested in a early-season avy course, and I know a few others who would be too. Keep me posted.

[Red Baron]

Ok, here's most of the list ripped from the AAI's web page, lots of courses up in Jackson too...but there are others, such as EXUM & Freddy up in Park City that I'ver heard good things about as well.

It almost seems like we have the people (at least 8) to get our own course together; that might be really cool.

--------------
Course: Level I Course

Date: December 10 - 12, 2004

Tuition: $175 (cash, checks, or money orders accepted only)

Location: Salt Lake City/Alta, UT

Register With: REI, 3285 E. 3300 S. Salt Lake City, UT 84109, (801)486-2100

--------
Course: Level I Course

Date: January 7 - 9, 2005

Tuition: $175 (cash, checks, or money orders accepted only)

Location: The Canyons, UT

Register With: Mike Ruth, 2208 Sunset Ct., Park City, UT 84060 (453)649-4527, mymruth@qwest.net


--------------
Course: Level I Course

Date: January 13 - 16, 2005

Tuition: $180 (cash, checks, or money orders accepted only)

Location: Salt Lake City/Alta, UT

Register With: Wasatch Touring, 702 E. 1st S., Salt Lake City, UT 84102, (801)359-9361

[AltaPowderDaze]

if money is a factor, i suggest calling bill. he is very thorough. cololi, have you had bill's class before? would you take it again?

edit: he will tailor a class to the classes needs.

[interloper]

Ttips has a short avy awareness clip.
think like an avy (http://www.telemarktips.com/video/ThnkAvy.wmv)

[Lumpy]

I'd be up for the early Alta course... But if theres enough of us we might be able to schedule one through one of the class providers.?.

[cololi]

if money is a factor, i suggest calling bill. he is very thorough. cololi, have you had bill's class before? would you take it again?

edit: he will tailor a class to the classes needs.

He taught several engineering courses a the U, including the snow dynamics course, which I took. It was full of knowledge, a lot of which I have used, but alot of which I have never used (weight of depositon piles, pounds/foot of pressure it takes to get a slope to fail, calculating the amount of force required to get a certain snowpack with certain slope angles, density, depth etc to slide, and so on). If you have the time to spend, I would highly recommend it. It is basically a semster long course that runs 2 days/week for 3 months.

I also think it would be to have a tailored class that wouldmeet most of our needs. I would probably prefer to take that over the other courses. Any idea what the cost would be?

[AltaPowderDaze]

I also think it would be to have a tailored class that wouldmeet most of our needs. I would probably prefer to take that over the other courses. Any idea what the cost would be?

i'll call him sometime this weekend and ask about it. if he can do it:

When? ~early dec
Where? alta bc --my understanding is that he basically does a tour packed with info.
How much? hopefully between 35-80$ each.
How many? i figure at least 6, but no more than 12.

feedback plz.

[cololi]

I would be in pending the details. Time, location, price, group size all seem good to me.

[Red Baron]

My only concern with that, is that I want a full Level 1 course, and I'm not sure that a "tour packed with info" would count.

I've taken a bunch of one-day things, including the Powderbirds, but they're not enough to keep you seriously safe...so I think a multi-day field/classroom approach is more of what I want for this winter.

[stump832]

i'll call him sometime this weekend and ask about it. if he can do it:

When? ~early dec
Where? alta bc --my understanding is that he basically does a tour packed with info.
How much? hopefully between 35-80$ each.
How many? i figure at least 6, but no more than 12.

feedback plz.

I'd probably be interested in that as well. Count me in.

Baron makes a good point, but this sounds like it'd be good for BC JONGS like me.

[powderwhore]

I took Avi I through AAI and its an excellent course. I'll be taking Avi II this winter with them. Can't beat instruction from the Newcombs and others of legendary LCC stance, they have chutes named after them for god sakes!

[AltaPowderDaze]

My only concern with that, is that I want a full Level 1 course, and I'm not sure that a "tour packed with info" would count.

I've taken a bunch of one-day things, including the Powderbirds, but they're not enough to keep you seriously safe...so I think a multi-day field/classroom approach is more of what I want for this winter.

that's what i mean by "tailor" a class. it would be more expensive for more time(ie. classroom). but when i was going to take the class with him, he was up for whatever we wanted to do. i think those of us that had time for the classroom should do that as well as the outdoors. some of us that go to a lot of trempers free talks could probably skip that and just hit the field day. i think he could do a price break too for those of us who only want the field day. don't get me wrong, you can never know enough about avy's, i just want to make sure that i'm getting my moneys worth. avy II is more my style, but an intro would be a good refresher.

[AltaPowderDaze]

10 character. linky (http://tetongravity.com/forums/showthread.php?t=21307)

[Lynx]

damn, i was still at work. or out. wherever i was it wasn't checking the web. anywho. .

has anyone signed up for any of the avi classes yet? i had wanted to do the one that is next weekend but i will be out of town for a wedding. doh...

[Trackhead]

Lynx,

Obviously a class taught by a professional is important. But why don't you just start getting out with folks, dig lots of pits, talk about what you see, discuss route finding, etc.

As a game for myself, I try to 'predict' or 'forecast' what the pit will look like before I even start skinning that day. Then go out and dig some pits and see if you're even close.

Also frequently check all the avy forecast sites for photos of avalanches. You can learn immensly by seeing photos of where they can start, how far they go, etc. Sometimes you can be suprised by just where avalanches actually occur. And it will scare the shit out of you too, which is a good thing.

Like this photo from the other day, taken by a Wasatch local. Look how far back it ripped into the ridge! Perceivably into quite low angle terrain.
http://pic10.picturetrail.com/VOL348/961202/5903449/76135533.jpg

And lastly, buy an avalung. Doesn't hurt to have one more adjunct to breath when you're six feet under cement.

[Shredgar]

Friends have taken the level one courses taught by the local ski patrols & AAI. Lots of beacon drills & snowpits. Common comment was not enough routefinding, safe travel & terrain management practice.

Ditto to CS, to learn to get around the Utah bc safely you want the Utah Avalanche Center school based at the WMC lodge at Brighton. If you've read Bruce Tremper's book "Staying Alive in Avalanche Terrain" you know the curriculum. Intense three days, each is three hours morning classroom, six hours on snow, three hours evening classroom - 12hrs/day. Heavy focus on bc decision making & routefinding skills. Great instructors including the fellow who took the photo above.

There are usually two per year, on the three day weekends of MLK Day in January & Presidents Day in February. Watch the UAC website. Highly recommended, it's more than a level 1 course. For the most fun plan to stay up in the WMC lodge for the weekend.

[Shredgar]

Bump for the UAC avalanche school.

[tele mark]

Lynx: If you want to do the make-your-own-group thing, I've got myself and 2 others who would like to join in on a Level 1 course.

If that doesn't work, I plan to take the Utah Avalanche Center course at the Wasatch Mountain Lodge at Brighton, which is usually in January, I believe. That's a 3 day mix of on-snow and classroom stuff.

The UAFC courses are the best deal going. Somewhere between the AAI level I and II courses. Probably the most knowledgeable instructors around, definitely so if you factor in local experience. It's done over holiday weekends as the course is a full 3 days (most level I courses are only 2 days long). I lucked out and got to spend a day w/ Kimbrough before he retired (full day of beacon practice/mock searches); than a day w/Rick Wyatt, UDOT forecaster and namesake of the Wyatt Couloir (full day of digging pits); and spent the final day touring around w/ Tremper. No other level I course goes into the detail that the UAFC course does, nor do they get together such a noteworthy collection of experienced local riders (Cowboy and Athey instruct as well). When I took the course there we're several students from outside UT (WA, CA, CO) who were taking it for their 2nd time, all felt it was the best course available. If you're looking to get comfortable w/ the BC I'd highly recommend sticking w/ the UAFC course, well worth the wait 'till January.

[Shredgar]

Bump for the UAC, they've posted the January 15 - 17 class:

"Registration for the Friends of the Utah Avalanche Center’s 3-day January avalanche class is now being taken at Black Diamond retail."

Edited for speling & dates

[AltaPowderDaze]

i'll be there. anyone else?

[Shredgar]

Bump for the UAC.

Their next course is President's weekend, February 19 - 21.

To register contact Black Diamond Equipment 801-278-0233.