Checking snow conditions for avalanche danger (Field class)
A National Ski Patrol Level I avalanche course will be held Sunday, February 10, 2008 (Classroom) and Sunday, February 24, 2008 (Field) in South Lake Tahoe. This course fulfills all requirements adopted by the American Avalanche Association and the USDA Forest Service.
The classroom on the 10th will be held from 7:45 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. 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. Please bring lunch, as there will be no time to go out.
The field session at Heavenly on Feb 24th 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 7:15 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 $25.00 and mail it to me 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 10th.
Don Shockey
467 Claremont Way
Menlo Park, CA 94025
(650) 322-0723 home
(650) 859-2587 work
donald.shockey@sri.com