Avalanche Rescue Practice (Location TBD, will be decided closer)

"As a rec user, you should not be going into avalanche terrain if you have not trained with your beacon; it just seems unacceptable to me" - Chrissie Oken, AAI Instructor

I mean, that's a pretty fair point. So let's get that sorted.

Join me for some practice with avalanche rescue techniques. If you are like me, it's been a bit since your AIARE 1 and your skills have likely gotten a bit rusty, so let's shake some of that rust off. Location is still TBD right now, but the basic plan:

• Meet up at the PNR nearest our chosen location (for right now setting Eastgate, but subject to change)
• Head out to the snow and move til we find a good spot.
• Refresh our skills on our beacons; how they work, how to search, probing, digging, etc
• Drill time! Depending on group size, plan is to split into groups and run a scenario where each team has a chance to bury and each team has a chance to find. It will be timed, and the loser buys the winner a round at the debrief!
• Head back to town and debrief; what went well, what went poorly, what we can do better next time.

Skiers, splitters, and shoers are all welcome. Previous AIARE or similar experience is a plus, but if not you can always come along and learn something (bear in mind this is NOT a professional course led by a professional instructor). Everyone will be waitlisted to start to make sure you have answered the questions at the bottom; don't skip the description or you won't be allowed in.

What you need:

• 10 Essentials (always)
• Some method of moving on snow (skis, splitboard, snowshoes, whatevs)
• Beacon/Probe/Shovel (check your beacon before you meetup)
• Avy backpack (normal backpacks are not acceptable, your safety gear needs its own spot and needs to be lightning-fast accessible)
• A big coat (lots of standing around in less-than-ideal temps/conditions, so plan accordingly)

I could use some help finding:

• Extra beacon- I have 2 extra, but the more the better; let's get that multi-burial scenario on the table.
• Big backpacks or something equivalent to bury with the beacon; your summer backpacking pack works perfectly, and you can pack your smaller avy pack inside for the hike in

I want to help SOA develop a culture of safety, and that starts with practicing the skills we need to be successful out there. Let's get this one done.