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10-03-2014, 11:19 AM #26Banned
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sounds like they covered whats most important for most bc enthusiasts. Sometimes the science can add confusion/second guessing to a very clear picture.
and oftentimes a pit is only valuable for where you are standing. Good for a history lesson, but oftentimes not for a go/no go.
terrain management/route finding trumps all.
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10-03-2014, 11:23 AM #27
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10-03-2014, 10:20 PM #28Registered User
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Thanks for the input everyone. Some good things to think about.
As you mention, my main hesitation with a Level 2 is the amount of snow science material. While interesting to learn about, is not as useful to me (or the typical BC skier for that matter) as route finding, terrain mgmt, etc.
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10-04-2014, 10:03 PM #29
Great question and discussion. I took avy 2 and was way over my head. The amount of snow science was quite dense and I hadn't logged nearly enough days. This was several years ago and I was super green, although I got a lot out of it, I just imagine how much I could pull out of it now! We did not study terrain selection at all which was a huge bummer. This was about ten years ago and it sounds like the courses differ quite a bit. I agree it's about what you want in the future and how you think, if you are naturally gifted with sciences and geek out by all means go for it, or if you want to be a guide again knock yourself out. If you just want to improve your skills and money is super tight I might spend it on other things.
Although, if I could be guaranteed route finding and beacon search technique would be thoroughly covered as it was not in my class I may give a completely different answer...
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10-05-2014, 12:48 PM #30
Avalanche Education is a great thing. An even greater thing is traveling to different mountain ranges, and experiencing how things are different everywhere you go. Alaska is one of those places you can not replicate anywhere else in the world.
-BOV@blackopsvaldez
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10-05-2014, 05:54 PM #31
You can find a list of AAA certified instructors here: http://americanavalancheassociation....instructor.php
I recommend research. Figure out what you want to learn, then look for an instructor whose skill set complements your goals. Ask them to teach you. If you don't like the way the suit fits, stop buying off the rack.
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10-06-2014, 09:49 AM #32
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10-06-2014, 10:30 AM #33
I thought mine were.
Yeah, in one there was a ton of applied physics about how and why snow transforms (high vapor pressure causes vapor to crystallize on the tips of the flakes) but in both the field work was way more intense with timed multiple burials and more pit time.
I thought they were excellent and would recommend it with the caveat that I found the sciencey part of it really cool.Merde De Glace On the Freak When Ski
>>>200 cm Black Bamboo Sidewalled DPS Lotus 120 : Best Skis Ever <<<
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10-06-2014, 11:39 AM #34
Good discussion. I teach a lot of level 2s, and in the last few years they have become more relevant (IMHO), especially with the advent of the avalanche problems/ characters in the forecasts. We try to wrap the science into the appropriate problem, for example talking about surface hoar development/ destruction/ persistence in the discussion of persistent slabs (which I insist should be called persistent weak layers...).
The real difference in a good level 2 is translating the forecast/ science into action. On AAI courses we do map exercises, route planning using slides, and then go in small groups into real terrain where we swing leads and make real decisions. I make a point of asking tough questions that you might not get when you're out with your peers- that's the real benefit of taking a course- you get prompted to pull it all together, and you get introduced and somewhat trained up to take those habits to your own practice.
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10-06-2014, 12:16 PM #35Registered User
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10-06-2014, 12:17 PM #36Registered User
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10-06-2014, 04:55 PM #37
I disagree. I think the more sciencey/crystal gazing based (while in itself fascinating) level 2 course is ill suited to most recreational skiers
Safe travel - getting your head up out of holes you've dug in the snow (which level 1 courses themselves promote too much), terrain choices, route planning, safe travel, beacon search etc more useful for most people.
More technique than technical.Last edited by PNWbrit; 10-06-2014 at 05:08 PM.
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10-06-2014, 05:52 PM #38Hugh Conway Guest
the problem is for most skiers (a fact that's always glossed over by professionals) a course that's long enough to teach that well is probably a poor use of time, or just difficult to schedule with a reasonable snowpack. I guess if you are some guide wannabe a weeks great, or spending several $k on a private guided avy tutorial is a good use of time or something. It's not rocket science, go skiing. So many people fuck up out on snow so often and live anyways.
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10-06-2014, 09:38 PM #39
Why did fuac drop their 3-day courses offered in BCC? I got a ton of very practical classroom teaching and field training. At the time that I took it, there didn't seem to be anything else like it.
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10-09-2014, 01:24 PM #40Registered User
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10-10-2014, 05:34 PM #41"The idea wasnt for me, that I would be the only one that would ever do this. My idea was that everybody should be doing this. At the time nobody was, but this was something thats too much fun to pass up." -Briggs
More stoke, less shit.
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10-10-2014, 08:13 PM #42
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10-10-2014, 08:18 PM #43
[QUOTE=telebobski;4318957]Good ideas. I find watching A Dozen More Turns a good refresher on Human Factors as well.
http://ullrlabs.com/amber_seyler.html[/
+1. Take it if you want to be a pro guide or forecaster (or just really enjoy nerding out on the stuff, which is totally fine).
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10-15-2014, 07:45 AM #44Registered User
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The level 2 is valuable knowledge for skiing in the BC. Check out mtavalanche.com for information on course offerings in Montana.
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