Hands on Avalanche rescue training- Vail Pass

[snowww1]

Hands-on training Vail Pass:

Through Colorado Mountain College​

Intro to Avalanches: Field Session: : Seven hour field session provides hands-on training on avalanche terrain analysis, terrain traps, route selection, stability analysis, avalanche beacons and rescue. Meet at Vail Pass parking area.

Prerequisite: Intro to avalanches classroom session or similar avalanche seminar.

Date Day Time Course Code Synonym

2/9 Tues 9am-4pm OUT-901 48089
Cost $85

Level I Avalanche Refresher Seminar: Seven hour field session will provide hands-on training on avalanche terrain analysis/terrain traps, route selection, stability analysis, avalanche beacons and rescue techniques. Meet at Vail Pass parking area.

Prerequisite: Avalanche awareness seminar or Level I avalanche class.

Date Day Time Course Code Synonym
1/29 Fri 9am.-4pm OUT-901 48090 Cost $85

2/16 Fri 9am.-4pm OUT-901 48091 Cost $85

Instructor: Mike Duffy. 15 years avalanche instructing experience. Graduate of National Avalanche School, National Academy of Winter Guiding-Ruby Mtn Heli-ski. AVPRO. Avalanche Rescue team leader/mission coordinator Vail Mountain Rescue Group, Trained by Backcountry Access, Snowpulse and Ortovox, 20 years backcountry skiing and snowmobiling experience. Member American Avalanche Association.

To sign up: Call Colorado Mountain College 970-569-2900
Vail Eagle-Valley Campus

 

[J-Fly]

can we bring our sleds? Are you guys hiking, or skining? I got a snowboard , and a snowmobile. Dont really wanna hike too many miles. I just took the level one class through CMC this fall. It was really informative,interesting, and fun. But we had to hike through montezuma for hours. It was cold as ****, and i hate hiking unless im getting some turns out of it. I would really be interested in taking this class as I usually ride Vail Pass 40 or 50 times a year.

 

[backcountryislife]

You should be able to sled to Mike's classes, they're a mixed use class.

 

[AndrettiDog]

Mike's a great source of information on avalanche awarness.

Mike - I added this information to the HCPH website. Keep sending me information, I'll try and keep up. Thanks!

http://www.holycrosspowderhounds.com/Default.aspx?pageId=523145

 

[snowww1]

Here's some classroom sessions through CMC. Call 970-569-2900 to sign up.

Classroom:

Introduction to Avalanches: Four hour classroom session that covers avalanche statistics, human factors, avalanche equipment, terrain analysis, snowpack and weather factors, signs of instability, avalanche reports, decision tools, group dynamics, and rescue.
Date Day Time Course Code Synonym Location Cost

1/22 Fri 5:30-9:30pm OUT-901 48087 CMC $35
2/8 Mon 5:30-9:30pm OUT-901 48088 CMC $35

 

[J-Fly]

me and my buddy are interested. Wondering if we can bring our sleds for the field session. When we did our field session for Level one in early December, there wasnt even enough snow to dig a pit.

 

[snowww1]

J-FLY, shoot me a PM and I'll fill you in on the details on sleds in class. Mike Duffy

 

[snowww1]

Class does not start until the sleds are off. I skin up with the skiers and snowshoers. I can show you where the class is and you can meet us there.

 

[snowww1]

If you call Colorado Mountain College about the classes, they may say they are full. Make sure you tell them that you want to sign up for the noncredit avalanche classes and give them the synonym #
There's room available in all my classes, but some of the people answering the phone at the college are giving out bad information. If you have a problem please email me: duffyww1@aol.com Thanks, Mike Duffy

 

[J-Fly]

Im worried if i sign up that Febuary 9th will be the only powder day of the year. There is no way i could go to class all day on a powder day. Then i would have just wasted $85. Maybe ill wait and try and sign up that week depending on the weather.

 

[snowww1]

That could possibly be the worst excuse for not taking an avalanche class. LOL Mike

 

[J-Fly]

That could possibly be the worst excuse for not taking an avalanche class. LOL Mike

I could think of worse reasons. Like, i dont need a class because i already know that avalanches are unpredictable. The people who take avalanche classes, are more likely to get caught in a slide than people who dont take the class. The more I study avalanches, the less i want to ride in the backcountry.
How many ski patrollers and so called avalanche experts have been caught in slides and even died? If you ski or ride in the backcountry enough, and ride avalanche terrain, odds are you will eventually get caught. I know you can reduce those odds, thats why i study avalanches.

Just thought i would give some worse reasons. I just dont want to be in class all day on a powder day. I work nights, so i can ride pow anytime it snows. I dont like being at work or class on a powder day.

Also $85 is kind of steep. The Level one class through cmc was only $50, and that was a 4 day class. Why is a one day class twice as much? The way its looking, there wont be enough snow to have a class. Vail Pass is pretty much closed right now. Pretty depressing. I just want to ride some pow.

 

[snowww1]

Those are some good excuses!

Long story behind the price difference in class prices. To keep it short: Myself and two other instructors approached CMC about 10 years ago with our classes and they started offering them. Classes were very successful, no complaints, no injuries, etc. Last year the college decided to take over the classes and dictate curriculum and who would teach with us. Also included a 70% pay cut. I did not agree with the changes and felt the quality of the classes would be jeopardized. Some of the instructors they wanted us to teach with were not up to my standards.
One of the original instructors resigned and I'm teaching noncredit avalanche classes for the college now. Most level I classes are $175, the classes are a bargain at $50, but in my opinion you get what you pay for.
My classes are intensive, follow the guidelines of the American Avalanche Association, have the most current information and techniques, snowmobile friendly, and I have 15 years of teaching experience. My classes are not "dumbed down" like some other classes. I also have 20 years of mountain rescue and mountain snowmobiling experience. Classes are effective and proven. No one has ever complained about the price after the class.
If you're a snowmobiler my classes cover snowmobiling and are not limited to skiers and snowboarders like most classes are. Hope this helps.

 

[backcountryislife]

$85 for a full day level 1 is a STEAL.

If you have 4 days to waste, you need to get a job, I sure as hell don't!!!!!
(I do get that they're geared toward students... that don't have a job...)

 

[tudizzle]

That could possibly be the worst excuse for not taking an avalanche class. LOL Mike

.x2

 

[J-Fly]

$85 for a full day level 1 is a STEAL.

If you have 4 days to waste, you need to get a job, I sure as hell don't!!!!!
(I do get that they're geared toward students... that don't have a job...)

Ive been working 50 hours a week for the last 6 years, and still riding 100 days a year. It was 2 field days, and two days in the classroom that were 4 hours long. It was tough to get it done with my work schedule, but it was worth it. Im proud to have my level one.

I might have to sign up for this class, i really want to take it, its hard to fit in to my schedule. Im broke right now, and im waiting for pow. I dont want to be in a class on the only pow day of the year!

 

[backcountryislife]

well, then you should sign up, THAT'S about the only way we'll get some guaranteed snow!!!

btw, thanks for the negative. It wasn't meant as some cut on you mr sensitive... the point was I'd rather get it done in ONE day, more efficient use of my time!

 

[snowww1]

Class update:

January 29th field session has one opening.

February 9th field session -sold out

February 16th field session still has spots available.

If you have any questions, please contact me at duffyww1@aol.com. Thanks, Mike

 

[snowww1]

The following people did really well in the field session on January 29th. In the rescue scenario they found 3 beacons and two duffel bags without beacons in 8 minutes. This was exceptional considering the snow had no base and they were in snow up to their waist. MVP was Jonny who found 1 beacon and both duffel bags. Thanks to all those who attended.

Jonny Bergsten
Mick Collins
Sean Cozzens
Bruce Gowie
Karen Hoiem
Kenneth Hoiem
Spencer Molloy

Still have openings in the classroom session on Feb 8th and the field session on Feb 16th. Email me if you have any questions. duffyww1@aol.com

 

[snowww1]

Two spots available for the hands-on rescue training on Vail Pass February 16th. Covers beacons, rescue, terrain analysis, and stability tests. Any questions email: duffyww1@aol.com