A big thanks to WSSA, Avy class

[off road rider]

I have to give a huge Thank you to the WSSA for putting on the avy awareness class yesterday. In particular Mick,Michal, Dan? and Barb?
Hope I got those names right..
Going in I was really wondering about spending 8 hrs on this..
well I think it could possibly be the best 8 hrs Ive spent in some time.
Great info, excellent staff and a great experience all the way around.
I highly recommend this class to anyone,
Thanks again !!!

 

[V-Man]

I'll second that. It was a great class whether you've had previous training or not. It definitely wasn't a class room snooze fest. They kept it very interactive and interesting. I give it my highest recommendation.

Good job WSSA!

 

[ruffryder]

Nice! Glad you guys went, and more importantly, glad is was very good too! For those that haven't taken a full 8 hr class, there is so much to learn about avy's and rescues....

 

[w8tn4u]

Knowing someone who has taken a av class defiantly moves them up on the "who to call to go riding with" list. Please take the time to show us "consciously incompetent" what you have learned and how to use it.

 

[V-Man]

Mick said they are planning another one later this year, and an on-the-hill training day as well. Reach out to him (sled.man) so he can gauge interest and plan accordingly. You won't regret it!

mick steinman at 206-949-7837 sled.man@verizon.net

 

[bobp]

Great Class and cool folks

Michael Jackson and Mick, Brandy and Ron did a super job. Great use of a Saturday.

The multiple burial exercise pointed out how important instruction, practice, organization and leadership will be in determining whether those of us who get buried this season live or die.

Our crew showed dramatic improvment with only a couple hours of instruction and exercises.

Thanks

Bob

 

[Powderhino]

Stay in touch for more info. about on the snow classes

Great class all. I had a ton of fun, and laughed so hard I split my pants WIDE OPEN (Thank-God for ALPTRUTh).

Please stay in touch, and let me know if you have any further questions, or if you are interested in taking any further courses. As you can probably tell, I enjoy what I do, and I hope people can take away some useful information to improve their decision making in and around avalanche terrain. You can email me at powderhino@aol.com if you need to contact me.

Snow is coming, it always does... Keep the faith!

MJ

 

[Powderhino]

A ton of fun to work with you all. I can honestly say I have never had so much fun I split my pants, (at least with the lights on).Thank-God for ALPTRUTh...

As far as future classes go, stay in touch with me directly and I can let you know how we are progressing. I can committ to at least two on the snow day courses, and will have the dates by late next week. You can contact me at powderhino@aol.com

Thanks again for letting me work with you all....

MJ

 

[CoyoteGirl]

This is the 3rd time I've been to this class in less than a year, this time as an assistant of some sort.. lol Anyhow, my point is that I learned even more at this class! You can never know to much!

Mike is an excellent instructor and Rob is going to be fantastic as well, he is a natural up there! TAKE THIS CLASS KIDS

For those that think/ say "I've been to an avy class before, I can find people, I practice with my beacons, etc etc" YOU still need this class. It gives insight and helps build awareness of your surroundings, which include those human buggers that you ride with, and how to make the best decisions for that day.

If you are interest in an on the snow class you need to let it be known!

 

[zMan]

I took this class on Saturday and loved it. My thanks to all who made the class possible (lots of volunteer effort).

Michael is a fantastic high energy instructor and there was not a dull moment in the class. This class is primarily about AWARENESS and learning about observable conditions that can help you make good decisions about where and when to ride. It's not rocket science but we need to be reminded of what to look for and how to make good decisions.

Everyone who heads out into the mountains should have this kind of training and the $55 fee for the class is very reasonable. Next time a class is offered, sign yourself up!

 

[zMan]

Knowing someone who has taken a av class defiantly moves them up on the "who to call to go riding with" list. Please take the time to show us "consciously incompetent" what you have learned and how to use it.

Funny you should mention that. One of the things we learned in the class is that we should only ride with people who have a similar level of risk tolerance and who have had the same training. We all want to ride with people who can save our bacon!

I'm sure anyone who has taken the class would be happy to share what they learned but it is truly worth your time to take the class yourself.

 

[justadude]

Bingo and Bingo!!
Thanks Mick, Mike, Rob and Brandy!! It is a heck of a service you provide!! Very engaging process that helps people focus on back country safety!! It was sobering realizing how many mistakes I have made in the past. Bad ones too. We were just lucky!! I'm not willing to continue to count on luck!!
I will be encouraging everyone I know who treks into the back country to take this or any awareness class!!

Everyone need to join the WSSA http://www.wssa.us/
I don't think I have to say how important it is to be a part of this association!!

Also help support the http://www.nwac.us/
And please use this service to inform yourself and make choices that help you mitigate your risk when in the back country!!!

I took this class on Saturday and loved it. My thanks to all who made the class possible (lots of volunteer effort).

Michael is a fantastic high energy instructor and there was not a dull moment in the class. This class is primarily about AWARENESS and learning about observable conditions that can help you make good decisions about where and when to ride. It's not rocket science but we need to be reminded of what to look for and how to make good decisions.

Everyone who heads out into the mountains should have this kind of training and the $55 fee for the class is very reasonable. Next time a class is offered, sign yourself up!

Funny you should mention that. One of the things we learned in the class is that we should only ride with people who have a similar level of risk tolerance and who have had the same training. We all want to ride with people who can save our bacon!

I'm sure anyone who has taken the class would be happy to share what they learned but it is truly worth your time to take the class yourself.

 

[sled.man]

A big thank you to all the Instructors, Helpers and Students who participated in the class. My time and effort is dedicated to the memory of Andrew Greicar and Dez Van Assche. It was a great loss to lose very close family and riding partners in 2003 and 2004. My wife Andrea and I have dedicated many hours to save lives so that others will not suffer the pain we have.
Avalanches are an avoidable risk. The classes make alot more sense than defensive driving classes. Mother nature causes avalanches. They are easy to avoid if you understand the signs.

The classes are cheap and very easy to understand. Some of the best students have been teenagers, but this class is for all unless your are a seasoned snow geek that knows it all.

I have come to the the conclusion that the more I think I know, the less I really think I know.

Take a class
The life you save may be your riding partner or family member.

Snowmobiling is a very safe sport if you think safety from the time you leave home.

Mick
WSSA Safety Chairman
206-949-7837

 

[Sage]

All great comments, leys get some on the snow training!: