Avalanche Skills Training Course AST1 (2/4/2017)

Your coordinator took this course a few years ago, so is taking this as a refresher. I will most likely also post some simple (class 1 terrain) ski tours on the COC calendar this winter. Note that for this course participants have the option of participating with alpine touring skis, split boards, or snowshoes. Avalanche Canada is the key source for avalanche information in Canada. Educate yourself before the course - check out videos, online tutorials, and more right here.

Description copied from Yamnuska.com:

Course Agenda:

Day 1: Saturday, February 4, 2017:
Held in the classroom at Yamnuska
#200, 50 Lincoln Park, Canmore

9:15am: Must have arrived in Canmore
9:30am:
   · Group introductions, goals and objectives for the AST 1 Course, backcountry risks, agenda review, waivers
   · Avalanche phenomena and the implications to us
   · Avalanche formation
   · Characteristics of avalanches, triggers and Avalanche Terrain Recognition
   · Introduction to the Avalanche Terrain Exposure Scale (ATES)
   · Mountain snowpack and snow metamorphism
12:00pm: Lunch break
1:00 pm:
   · Assessing and reducing avalanche risk
   · Accessing and utilizing the Avalanche Danger Scale and Public Avalanche Bulletins
   · Using the Avaluator
   · Human factors and decision making
   · Safe travel and trip planning components
   · Companion Rescue
   · Avalanche transceivers
   · Discuss logistics for the Field Day
4:30 – 5:00pm:
Class ends

Day 2: Sunday, February 5, 2017:

We meet at Bow Summit, on Highway 93, 40 km north of Lake Louise (on rare occasions we may head to selected areas of Kananaskis Country or Banff National Park). Your instructor will provide meeting details on the classroom day.

8:30 - 8:45am:
   · Must have arrived at Bow Summit, which is a 1.5 hour drive from Canmore.
9:00am:
   · Meet, issue avalanche training gear and introduce additional field day instructors
   · Weather and public avalanche bulletin discussion
   · Avaluator
   · Field observations (Wind, Precipitation, Temperature)
   · Transceivers and companion rescue practice
   · Managing and reducing risk in avalanche terrain
   · Route selection, track setting and terrain recognition
   · Snow study profile, stability tests and identifying layers of concern
   · Group rescue scenario – response and priorities
4:00pm:
   · Debrief
   · Next level avalanche training
   · AST certificate presentation
   · End of course!

Note on Risk:
The course takes place in a backcountry winter environment. Conditions can be harsh and you need to be adequately dressed to enhance your comfort and learning. During the field day, we will be on the periphery of avalanche terrain however, we do limit our exposure to avalanches so that we can operate in the program area no matter what the avalanche danger is for that given day. All our guides/instructors have advanced first aid certification and carry first aid kits as well as emergency communication. The course is designed to provide a good platform for learning and is not meant to be overly physically challenging or to put you at risk. Our focus is on instruction so we find appropriate avalanche study areas close to the road to maximize your avalanche education.

Note: Agenda may vary with field conditions and group abilities. A short tour of up to two kilometers is integral on the field day but if you’re not a skier, snowshoes are adequate. It is important that you be properly equipped for a full day in the backcountry in winter conditions.

Instructors and Group Size:
Yamnuska AST 1 instructors are ACMG and IFMGA guides and professional members of the Canadian Avalanche Association. Our instructors are certified CAA Level 2 Avalanche Operations and several of our guides are CAA Level 3 Avalanche Operations, the highest certification level in the CAA. They are true practitioners with years and in some cases, decades of experience in the backcountry, practicing what they preach. Yamnuska has been offering Avalanche courses since the late 1970’s. We have been instrumental in the curriculum development of the AST 1 course and are proud of our rich history in training recreationalists in Canada. We are a Founding Supplier sponsor of Avalanche Canada.

On the field day there is a maximum of 8 participants per instructor.

Equipment and Clothing:
Day one of the AST is an indoor session in our classroom, dress casually and comfortably. Yamnuska supplies course manual “Backcountry Avalanche Awareness” by Bruce Jamieson, Companion Rescue Card and Avaluator. Please bring a pen and notebook.

On the field day, Yamnuska will supply an avalanche transceiver, avalanche probe and avalanche shovel. We also supply group snow study kits and snow saws.

Equipment List:

· Skis: ‘Alpine Touring with touring bindings’ or ‘Telemark’. We recommend a short (160 – 185 cm) wide ski designed for powder and ski touring. Please see note under rental information if you are renting ski equipment.
or
· Split board: with split board skins. Should be a proficient rider and practiced with transitions from touring to riding
or
· Snowshoes: Minimum 25inch length is recommended

· Ski poles: recommended for all modes of travel
· Climbing skins ‘Stick-on type’ (only required if using skis or split boards)
· Boots: appropriate for your mode of snow travel. Snowshoe boots need to be good warm winter boots, gaiters are recommended on lower cut snowshoe boots
· Day pack: large enough for spare clothes, lunch, shovel and probe. 30 liter minimum size recommended
· Avalanche transceiver with fresh batteries: digital transceiver with a triple antennae. If you have an older type, double antennae, we recommend you upgrade. We will supply if you don't have your own.
· Avalanche shovel: Collapsible metal shovel designed for companion rescue. We will supply if you don't have your own.
· Avalanche probe: We will supply if you don't have your own.
· Sunglasses and/or ski goggles
· Thermos flask and/or water bottle (1 – 2 litres). Hydration packs are not recommended as tubes freeze.
· Sunscreen
· Small Blister and Personal First Aid Kit