Save $50 AvyClass- Calg, Red Deer, Edm, G.P., Peace River, Dawson Crk, Valemt, Fernie

[Zacs]

Another great class in Fernie over the past weekend. Much nicer weather compared to the 3 days of rain that we worked in last season!

Our daughters, Monica and Nicole, even came out and helped for the field days...ok, they mostly played in the snow! Built a snowcave big enough for a party. Pretty easy to cave in the snow when the base is facetted...
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Gord and Dave also dropped into our Fernie AST class. They are avy technicians that are gathering data for the South Rockies CAA Bulletin Region and they wanted me to remind everyone to check out the CAA Discussion Forums. Another great place to get personal and professional reports and pictures from local areas.

Threads are organized by bulletin regions. Forecasters and backcountry users are all posting. Any current observations will be reviewed to support the Bulletins.

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Last few classes of the Zac's Tracs Avalanche Training season.

Psst...pass it along, $50 Discount for Snowandmud members to complete the AST1 Class and Field session.
Just enter SnwMud50 in the 'Special Code' box on the shopping cart page.



Remember that past Zac's students can use refresher discounts of up to $150/p. for details on discounts.

 

[Zacs]

I just ran across this video clip. It is from Montana. Seriously weak foundation from the shallow snowpack in this bulletin region. The shallow snow and cool temps have led to changes to the snow crystals to create depth hoar and large facets. Super sugary and super weak. The extended column test that they demonstrate in the video clip is normally performed on a block of snow that is 30cm by 90 cm, but the forecasters almost doubled the length of the column to 175cm to highlight how seriously unstable the snowpack was in the area. The Extended Column test is one of the tests that we demonstrate in the AST Field sessions. It is a great test to help us appreciate the possibility of an avalanche propagating away from the trigger spot. Basically, a test to see whether the dominos are connected and how easily they might tip over once they get started.


January 4 video GNFAC - Super extended Column Test

If you haven't already signed up to receive avalanche bulletins by email or through a smart phone app, .

Things are pretty wild this weekend in the Lizard Range if you are headed to the areas nearby to Fernie, BC. Not sure where the Lizard Range is? How about the Purcells? CLICK HERE to view the CAC Public Avalanche Bulletin Map overlayed onto Google Maps.
Locate nearby towns and road systems to clarify the Bulletin boundaries.


Enjoy the warmer temps this temps this weekend. Wow...pretty darn cold the past few days....lucky I had some inside jobs to do! ;-)

 

[TylerG]

Bumping this to the top guys, lets get out there and get trained up, or renew your training if its a few years old. Always more to learn!