A Level I avalanche course will be held February 13 and February 26/27 in South Lake Tahoe. The course fulfills all Level I certification requirements of the National Ski Patrol, the American Avalanche Association, and the US Forest Service.

The classroom on the 13th begins at 7:45 am and concludes at 5:30 pm in the US Forest Service building at 35 College Drive, South Lake Tahoe, CA (turn west at the only stop light on Al Tahoe Blvd between Hwy 50 and Pioneer Trail). Please plan to arrive and register by 7:30 so that the course can begin on time. Bring paper and pen and plan to take notes. Coffee, juice, and pastries will be available when you arrive; a light lunch will be provided at noon.

Students will learn how weather, snowpack, and terrain contribute to avalanche hazard; how to identify hazard indicators, assess slope stability, make good decisions, and choose safe routes when moving through avalanche terrain; and rescue procedures in the backcountry and at ski areas.

The field sessions at Heavenly on Feb 26 and 27 will include terrain analysis, snow pit analysis, snow stability tests, beacon practice, a simulated avalanche rescue, and dog demo. Bring a lunch, beacon, probe, and shovel, as well as full ski gear (skis, boots, poles, and warm clothing) and meet 7:45 in CA first aid at the base of the Heavenly tram. You must be a competent skier comfortable with touring the ridgelines of Killebrew and Mott canyons.

To reserve a place in the course, please make a check out to Don Shockey for $40.00 and mail it with your contact information. All students who successfully complete the course will receive an NSP certificate of achievement; National Ski Patrol members will be registered with the National office as current in Level I avalanche training.

At the conclusion of the course, you should:

• Have a feeling for the importance of snow avalanches
• Have a basic understanding of how avalanches occur
• Be able to recognize avalanche hazard
• Know how to help yourself if caught
• Be useful in an on-area rescue mission.

These are my goals for you. We can achieve them if you arrive promptly and prepared to work hard both days. I look forward to seeing you on the 7th.

Don Shockey
467 Claremont Way
Menlo Park, CA 94025
(650) 859-2587 work
donald.shockey [at] sri.com