INSTRUCTOR: Ian Eakins

LOCATION: Trophy Mountains, Wells Gray Park, BC

DURATION: Friday evening lecture with 2 field days and an overnight at the Trophy Mountain Chalet.

COST: $250/person plus GST (includes two and a half days of instruction, snowcat transportation to the trailhead, chalet accommodation and main meals).

COURSE OBJECTIVES: At the end of the course students should have an increased understanding of:

1. Avalanche phenomena, terrain evaluation and safe route finding.
2. Slope stability and snowpit evaluation.
3. Effective search and rescue techniques.

MEALS: Dinner and breakfast will be supplied by Wells Gray Chalets. You will be responsible for your own lunches. Fluid intake is important in the mountains so make sure that you bring a water bottle.

RESERVATIONS: The space on these courses is limited to 12 participants (1 instructor to 6 students). Advance reservations are recommended and a 50% deposit is required.

EQUIPMENT NEEDED:

• warm clothing that allows you to stand in the snow.
  • telemark skis and bindings, alpine touring gear, snowboards
  • snowshoes
  • gaiters
• climbing skins are necessary (wax is not sufficient)
• two pencils and a notebook
• head lamp and small repair kit
• water bottle and sleeping bag liner or sheet.
• avalanche transceivers and shovels are provided.

OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT:

• collapsible probe or life link ski poles
• snow crystal screen and hand lens (magnification about 8 x)
• ruler (greater than two meters long and folding)
• a snow saw or pruning saw
• inclinometer
• 9 meters of 3mm cord

COURSE OUTLINE:

Friday Evening - 7:30 pm at the Wells Gray Inn

• Registration and introduction and paperwork
• Quick overview of material handed out
• Three videos and discussion
• Flip chart and discussion
• Slide show on route finding

• Drive to Snow Cat
• Ski into Trophy Chalet with single beacon search and check
• Ski to good observation area
• Snow evaluation:
  • Group pit - with burp test, shovel shear and rutchblock
  • Stability evaluation
  • Individual pit
  • Other snow evaluations such as hand shears, ski cutting convex rolls, ski triangles, observation of natural avalanches.
  • Go over equipment and technique
  • Impact of weather on snow stability

• AM - Proper search and rescue technique
  • Two problems to solve on S&R
• PM - Into field to do rescue simulation.
• Clean Chalet and ski out to Cat

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WELLS GRAY CHALETS & WILDERNESS ADVENTURES LTD.
info@skihike.com
Box 188 Clearwater, BC, V0E 1N0
Ph. (250) 587 6444 Fax (250) 587 6446
TOLL FREE 1-888 SKI TREK (754-8735)