Sharing Snowpack Observations: During the winter months, the website is designed as a source of information concerning backcountry conditions on San Francisco Peaks via the Observations section.
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Glossary and FAQ’s: These web pages introduce fundamental information on avalanches
and snow and avalanche terminology.
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Avalanche Awareness Clinics: During the winter months KPAC volunteers conducts monthly clinics at local Flagstaff outdoor equipment stores (such as Humphrey’s Summit, Aspen Sports and the First Chair). These are free of charge and provide backcountry recreational users with the basics of avalanche safety. Additional clinics can potentially be arranged for special interest groups upon request.
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Level 1 and Level 2 Certification Courses: With a pilot level 1 course this year and plans
to increase offerings in the future, KPAC will co-sponsor level 1 and 2 avalanche courses
(following curriculum approved by the American Avalanche Association). These will
provide local backcountry enthusiasts with a higher level of training and field expertise.
We will provide these locally at affordable costs. The format is primarily field based, so participants must have solid backcountry skiing or snowboarding skills and they must
provide (or rent) their own skis or split snowboards, with climbing skins and avalanche
safety equipment
(avalanche transceiver, rescue shovel, and probe).
More in-depth descriptions of Avalanche Courses are provided below:
Avalanche Awareness Clinics: Objectives
A student who attends this free 2-hour clinic is expected to gain a foundational understanding of:
- Backcountry skiing or snowboarding preparedness;
- Where and when avalanches occur;
- Historical perspectives of avalanche occurrences on San Francisco Peaks;
- Statistics on avalanche fatalities of the past (Nationwide);
- Human factors in avalanche accidents;
- Safe travel principles; and
- Avalanche self-rescue tools and the uses
An optional ½ day field session will be held at Arizona SnowBowl Ski Area to elaborate on material presented at the clinics and familiarize participants with field practices such as use of snow pits to analyze weaknesses and slab formation, conduct stability tests, and witness transceiver rescue procedures.
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Level I Course: Objectives
Prerequisites: Although no specific prior training is required to enroll, a student will benefit from participating in an avalanche awareness clinic and/or reading one of a number of excellent books on avalanche hazards and safety.
A student that successfully completes a course developed using AAA level 1 certification guidelines should be able to:
- Identify avalanche terrain;
- Identify basic grain types, weak layers and strong layers;
- Perform field tests to determine snowpack stability/instability;
- Recognize weather and terrain factors contributing to instability;
- Perform rescue through fast and efficient transceiver use;
- Apply safe-travel techniques; and
- Understand factors contributing to human error in decision-making.
The format used for level 1 training courses generally entail three consecutive days (33% classroom, 66% field). Certification is based on satisfactory completion of both written and practical examinations.
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Level II Courses: Objectives
Prerequisites: Astudents enrolling in a level 2 course should have completed level 1 or equivalent training and spent at least one subsequent season utilizing those skills in backcountry settings. Completion of an avalanche awareness clinic or similar program is insufficient background for enrollment in level two courses.
SUGGESTED READINGS
These references should be read before taking a Level II Avalanche course. They provide background information that will allow students to learn more while taking the course. Some of the material will already be familiar to you, however, it will provide an excellent review that will allow you to tackle more difficult and new concepts. Some of the advanced material will be more easily understood in the class if you have already been exposed to it. These books are available in your local library, bookstore, or mountain shop.
"The Avalanche Handbook"
(2006) 3rd ed.,
P. A. Schaerer, Peter Schaerer, The Mountaineers, Seattle, WA, 342 pp.
"Avalanche Safety for Skiers and Climbers"
(1999) 2nd ed., T. Daffern, Mountaineers, Seattle, 192 pp.
"Staying Alive in Avalanche Terrain"
(2001) B. Tremper, Mountaineers, Seattle, 281 pp.
"Snow Sense: a guide to evaluating snow avalanche hazard"
(1994) 4th ed, S. Fredston and D. Fesler, Al aska Mountain Safety Center,
Anchorage, Alaska, 115 pp.
"The Snowy Torrents - Avalanche Accidents in the United States: 1980-1986"
(1996) N. Logan and D. Atkins, Colorado Geological Survey Special Publication 39,
Denver, CO, 265 pp.
A student that successfully completes a course developed using AAA level 2 certification guidelines should be able to:
- Understand variability and complexity of avalanche terrain;
- Identify grain types and the basic physical processes leading to them;
- Perform and interpret common stability tests; and
- Apply objective decision making methods while travelling through avalanche terrain.
- Guide other through hazardous terrain using accepted group management protocols
The format for level 2 courses usually entails three consecutive days of which at least 50% of the training is conducted in the field.
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