Avalanche Course - Chetwynd area - Mar28 weekend

[Zacs]

Avy Classes - Valemount, Apr 18 & Golden, Apr 25

Wow, you guys from the northern areas are certainly hospitable! We just completed some avalanche training programs in Grande Prairie, High Prairie and Rycroft. We were treated to large groups of sledders that were very keen, with loads of awesome questions and...of course...great sledding stories as well.
The courses went very well and we were asked if we could schedule another AST1 program for this season.
So here goes...

March 28 - classroom session 9:00am -5:30pm
March 29 or 30 or 31 - mountain field session 8:30am - 5:30pm

Details are still to be determined, however we are considering Chetwyd, BC for the class sessions and possibly Hasler for the field exercises.

Feedback welcome.
Details can be found on our website:


Check out our recent newsletters.
Zac's Tracs Newsletters

Options really do exist to enjoy the mountains and the snow, with a lowered level of exposure to avalanche hazards. Check it out. Chat with the guys that took the AST1 (16 hr) course in Grande Prairie. It really is worth investing the weekend. Round up your riding partners...remember, you're safer when your buddies are smart!

BTW the fire icon on the title is to remind everyone to light a fire under their butts if they are thinking of signing up!

 

[stickman]

Took Zac's course in GP. Two words--AWE SOME. Lori is a top notch instructor that has been doing this for a long time, she knows her stuff. Randy is great in the field, really knows how the snow works.
Our group of riders really got educated at this class. We thought we knew what we were doing but the course really showed us how little we knew. Now we all have better knowlege of what to look for when we are out in the back country.
Highly recommed you and your buddies get into this course.
You can't put a price on your life.

Thanks again to Lori, Randy, Carol, Peter and the rest of the organizers for a great class.

 

[caddy]

That sums it up perfectly.I ride with the STICKMAN and its good to know that the other guys know what to do in the event of an avy.Don't just take the course for yourself take it for your buds and their families too!I have nothing but the best to say about the ZACS crew and will recomend them to everyone.

 

[Zacs]

The class in Chetwynd went well! Here are some of the comments:

Lori/Randy, Just a quick note to say thanks for the info/knowledge that you crammed into us! (l.o.l). The classroom & field training made it "alot" easier to break down/understand the info on the avalanche bulletins. Beacon & recovery training was great! It really stressed the importance of communication, proper utilization of the tools at your disposal, and what you can do in a relatively short time frame if working together. Warren had a great idea to get the guys that didn't come to do beacon/recovery practice, (ie: poker style format). We still got razzed for "wasting a weekend" in their minds, but I simply responded saying that I valued their lives more than the monies/time invested. They usually then are dumbfounded and ask, "what did you learn"? I then respond by saying if I were to get buried in an avalanche & you were there with your current knowledge, I would be dead! That got their attention! Glen M., March 31, 2009

During the Chetwynd field day, we completed many skills that were learned at the classroom session. Seeing the snow pack in the pit we dug was interesting. Burying the bags with the beacons was another success. I always wondered what it would feel like to probe, and find something under the snow rather than just ground. Splitting into 2 teams at the end of the day was the greatest! You now may think at this point in time that you think you know how to do everything and work it all...that all changes when you go under pressure. Being timed i think was a good thing because it makes you aware that if they were real people that time is passing.... Crystal M. March 31, 2009
=================

Spring is coming...check out this article on Solar Aspects.

Sledders in eastern BC and northern Alberta are calling and looking for avalanche classes. Here are a couple of suggestions:


There is space for ~15 more riders in the Valemount class.
Classroom session - Saturday, April 18
Field sessions - Choose ONE field day
Sunday, April 19
Monday, April 20


Classroom session - Saturday, April 25
Field sessions - Choose ONE field day
Sunday, April 26
Monday, April 27

Is this class worth 'wasting a good riding day' ?
Read more comments from past avy students to find out....

Photo credit: R. Toronchuk