UTAH MOUNTAIN ADVENTURES AVALANCHE AWARENESS CLASS

Instruction includes an introduction to rescue skills and avalanche beacon searches, route finding, snow pack evaluation and minimizing exposure to hazards. Designed as a first avalanche course, or short refresher, this class is ideal for backcountry skiers, snowboarders, mountaineers and snowshoers wishing to make informed route-finding decisions and mitigate risk while traveling in avalanche-prone terrain.

Description:Friday?s lectures will encompass snow science terminology, avalanche types and formation, rescue, hazard evaluation, terrain, snowpack layering, stability tests, weather, and the human factor. Instructors will use anecdotes, slides, powerpoint presentations, and other visual aids to present these topics. A Q & A forum and plan for the next day will conclude the evening. The field session will be an applied review of the above topics. Students will travel on skins or snowshoes a short distance into the backcountry. Instructors will work with no more than 6 students each to dig snowpits, perform stability tests, practice beacon search and rescue scenarios, travel up and downhill employing avalanche-hazard mitigation procedures, and teaching safe route-finding skills.

Experience level: No avalanche education experience necessary

Class runs Friday(6-9pm) & Saturday(8am-4pm)

Avalanche & backcountry skiing/boarding gear
Provided by Exum:*

Avalanche beacon (*you can use your own if you would like)
Shovel (*you can use your own if you would like)
Equipment for backcountry skiing or snowboarding that you need to bring:
Alpine with binding adapters, randonee skis, telemark skis or split snowboard
and appropriate boots
Rentals available at:
Exum rents binding inserts for alpine bindings, alpine touring skis, skins and split snowboards
Black Diamond Retail Outlet- 2084 East 3900 South - SLC, UT 84124 - (801) 278-0233
International Mountain Equipment(IME)- 3265 East 3300 South - SLC, UT 84109 - (801) 484-8073
REI- 3285 East 3300 South - SLC, UT 84109 - (801) 486-2100
Wasatch Touring- 702 East 100 South - (801) 359-9361
Skins(also available for rental at above stores)
Poles(also available for rental at above stores)
Fleece or liner glove for skinning
2 Pairs of waterproof snow gloves or mittens
Wool (and liner) socks
Waterproof/windproof top and bottom outer shell
Fleece insulation layer
Get cold easy? layer over light/medium weight with expedition weight layer
Non-cotton top & bottom layers (capilene or polypro)
Hat and headband
1 or 2 liters of water
Lunch, snacks and dinner for Saturday
Sunglasses & goggles
Camera
Sunscreen
Day backpack