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December, 2024

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Avalanche Class

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miss_hevern87
Posts: 2553 - Karma: 12
How many people have taken one? If you haven't taken one, have you ever gone out where you probably shouldn't have, and has anyone had any crazy style experiences? Just wondering because there's been alot around my resort lately and i haven't really been exposed to that...
Mar 23 2006 10:47PM
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CrazedSkier1080
Posts: 3357 - Karma: 66
i never taken an actual class, but my friend whos a guide now has taught me pretty much everything i should know. but yeah i have gotten myself into places i maybe shouldnt have been, but im alive so its cool
Mar 23 2006 11:09PM
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bdskier
Posts: 932 - Karma: 14
Took the Backcountry awareness clinic at Kirkwood, pretty informative, good to have some in the element teaching, and digging a pit.
Mar 23 2006 11:13PM
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chapz
Posts: 10182 - Karma: 66
dont really need to, east coast and all
Mar 23 2006 11:37PM
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*542*
Posts: 1224 - Karma: 19
I have taken a begginner class, but never gone into the bc. I have been caught in a few slides and stuff inbounds though...
Mar 23 2006 11:55PM
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bcjibs
Posts: 175 - Karma: 10
i have, but the only time i go hard in the bc is when i take my Jak ski's w/randonee and do some touring with a old school ski bum friend of mine. the classes are good but building off it with a seasoned skiier makes you so much more aware of whats happening
Mar 24 2006 6:05AM
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Ice-Is-Scary
Posts: 0 - Karma: 87
I've taken mountaineering classes that were pretty much snow saftey, I've attended avy clinics at alta and learned from some pretty top notch folk, but this year has been a bomber snowpack and I havn't seen shit for slides. I recommend taking some kind of class before you go out in the BC or at least read a few good books on it, it's just not worth dying over and it's so safe if you know what you are doing.
Mar 24 2006 7:06AM
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n-o
Posts: 3457 - Karma: 41
i live in ontario man they dont even have any
Mar 24 2006 8:13AM
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pales
Posts: 1125 - Karma: 25
never taken one and definately been in places i shouldnt have. i was just in slc and some dude said he'd start a body search for me when i went through the bc gate and i was like thanks.
and i know it was ignorant and stupid you dont need to tell me that
Mar 24 2006 9:54AM
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powpow***
Posts: 196 - Karma: 10
^^^^^ i was with him i was so scared that guy was such a dick
Mar 24 2006 10:47AM
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miss_hevern87
Posts: 2553 - Karma: 12
utah hasnt had weird snow pack? dude in idaho we've been getting at least 3 avalanches with every snowfall over 6 inches. but that's probabyl because of all the crazy idaho weather where a cubic foot of snow will weigh 210 pounds.
Mar 24 2006 10:52AM
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Ban11
Posts: 1388 - Karma: 24
^ um...210lbs for a cubic ft. of snow? a cubic ft. of water weighs less...thats right lisa.
Mar 24 2006 1:03PM
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chrismoJBEATS
Posts: 5898 - Karma: 44
yeah i havent taken a true class plus im on the east coast but i have read stuff about it and vidoes and stuff
Mar 24 2006 1:08PM
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AKFREERIDE
Posts: 1718 - Karma: 11
iv taken one. and i suggest everyone who rides BC take one. its really neccesary. i dunno about lower 48 people, but alaska has some fucked up weather. the snow pack is soo effed up. we get the heaviest snow and it especially this season weve had alot of freeze and thaw. just take one, its good to know whats going on underneath you.
Mar 24 2006 1:40PM
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brummyskier
Posts: 5 - Karma: 14
Not that its any substitute for taking a proper course and practising with your own transceiver, but this podcast contains a brief introduction on using the transceiver.

http://www.negativegravity.co.uk/blog/category/snowfix-video/

episode 13. avalanche stuff starts about 10 mins in.
Mar 24 2006 1:50PM
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-+Siver+-
Posts: 1902 - Karma: 12
don't need to i live in Ontario
Mar 24 2006 5:11PM
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gaberaham
Posts: 640 - Karma: 17
I took a level 1 and I need to take a level 2, I would higly recomend taking a class, really good shit to know
Mar 24 2006 5:14PM
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gaberaham
Posts: 640 - Karma: 17
I dont mean to call you out, but I took a class from one of AK's best known avy experts, he says you can never know everything and that level 1 classes often do more damage because it gives people a false sence of confidence. Many people think they know more then they do and get into shit becasue of it. He says that its never straite up "safe"
Mar 24 2006 5:18PM
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jibs
Posts: 2529 - Karma: 48
i taught the Recreational avalanche course 4 times last month...so i'm pretty good at this guessing the conditions thing (cause you never really know do you?)
Mar 24 2006 6:31PM
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hugeairkid
Posts: 1802 - Karma: 29
I have taken in total probably 5 different avi course. I also was in a Backcountry Awarenness Course (Adventure Tourism) in school for 3 months. We spent 3 days a week in the BC with one the kootenays most knowledgable mountaineers (Howie Ridge).

For anyone who wants to venture into the backcountry, don't think that one short course and the right equipment will make you prepared.

Talk to patrolloers, people who are in the backcountry all the time, and guides to help you out. I know that if anyone came up to me and wanted to learn about BC stuff I would for sure help them out extensively. Just gain as much info as you can, practice beacon searches alot, analyze snow, study weather reports and have companions with you that you can trust no matter what happens.

If you want to learn more or want to know current avi conditions check out www.avalanche.ca
Mar 24 2006 6:49PM
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