NWGC Avy Class November 15 and 16

[powder Head]

The class was great, thanks to Mike for a great job presenting, the teamwork was very good in the group searches. Thanks to the brothers T and T for pulling it together, also NW Glacier Cruisers and the sponers who provided the food..

It was nice see, folks old and new. It was a good fun group to work with. I think people need to take at least one class a year, if nothing else just for refresher, because once we get on the hill we tend to forget to practice, although I would be up for a practice on the hill anytime. One of those socked in times on hood hill would be ideal.

Any good time, now lets see some snow please..................

 

[CoyoteGirl]

I think this class is SOOOOOOO important because it shows us WHY we HUMANS get into these situations.

I like what the guy in "A Dozen More Turns" says... "if you are in an avy a mistake has been made". PERIOD, they don't happen by accident.......

YES, we need training to help get people unburied....... but I think a very important step gets missed in so many people's riding routine.... TRULY looking at the REASONS we get into the situation in the first place. I can tell you looking back at my burial experiences I can see CLEARLY that we did so many things wrong before we even started our sleds up the trail that day.............

Our most powerful tool against avalanches is our brain and we don't use it.

We preach beacon, shovel, probe........... and miss the part of "how about we use our brain today"........

IMO, there should be a waiting list to TAKE THIS CLASS. NOT begging people to come fill the seats.

Off my soapbox.

Oh, oops.. got to preaching... lol

THANK YOU to all that helped put this class on. You guys are a bunch of rocks... we need more like ya.

 

[BigT]

Brandy, Steve, Dave--you guys are spot on. All of the things you mention are needed skills that we need to have as back country inthusiests. Period!! But Brandy sums it up the best by saying our BRAIN is the key. You must be able to reccognize avy terrain and conditions in order to stay out of it.
Plan things out before you fire up the sled. Pick your leaders, know who has the equipment and that they know how to use it. If they don't--teach them or don't ride with them. Check your equipment often and practice with it often (every time you ride). In an emergency it has to be second nature not a time to learn to use it.

Thank you to all who attended! Michael, thank you for sharing your knowledge with us and for having the passion for safety. It shows!

Thank you to the individuals that cooked for us and the sponsors that provided dollars for food.

BigT

 

[BroT]

IMO, there should be a waiting list to TAKE THIS CLASS. NOT begging people to come fill the seats.

I agree! If all of you that took the course would make sure the people you ride with are trained, and so on and so on we will fill up these courses...no problems.

If anyone wants another class, feel free to pm either myself or BigT here on the 4m and we will find a class for you or set up another.

Thanks to everyone who helped and attended!

Travis

 

[Soccerd6]

But Brandy sums it up the best by saying our BRAIN is the key. You must be able to reccognize avy terrain in order to stay out of it.

correction (as I understood it from Mike).... we need to recognized avy conditions.... the terrain may be the same, but the conditions change.... we may have ridden an area a thousand times, but we have to be aware of the conditions and how that may affect the probability of an avalanche....

good class - and one that I plan to repeat annually, if possible.

 

[ruffryder]

correction (as I understood it from Mike).... we need to recognized avy conditions.... the terrain may be the same, but the conditions change...

Yah, I think that is a better way of putting it.

 

[modsledr]

Man, tough crowd...see what happens when you invite the engineers to the party??!!

I agree that it would be nice to see more peeps getting interested in educating themselves. With the number of avy deaths last year in the snowmobile community (2 in WA...by riders who had ridden there all their lives), there should be a waiting list a month long to get into these classes.

Ignorance of the dangers will not save your life.

 

[BigT]

Good call Karen-I left out the "and conditions" in the sentence. The "teader todder" (I have no clue how to spell it) was an excellent illustration. I believe it was the higher the avalanche danger the lower the slope angle you ride. Lower avalanche danger the steeper the slope angle you ride. Being able to recognize avalanche terrain (wind slabs, slope angle ,cornice and such) is equally important as the snow conditions.
Just my thoughts though!

Like Bro T said--If we get enough interest--we could be inticed to host another class.

BigT

 

[tomx]

If there was another one of these on an upcoming Sat/Sunday I could get at least myself and a friend to sign up. Possibly a few more. Last weekend was just bad timing for my crew due to previous engagement. I'd love a refresher before the season starts..

 

[Soccerd6]

The "teader todder"

that must have been Sunday's class.... sounds like a great analogy

 

[ruffryder]

If there was another one of these on an upcoming Sat/Sunday I could get at least myself and a friend to sign up. Possibly a few more.

There was a little bit of push to get one on the snow.... maybe if there is enough interest it will happen.

 

[duchunter]

Thanks to the 2 T's for putting on the class, weather was great also on Sunday! as usual Micheal Jackson did a great job!!!!!

Andrew

 

[ruffryder]

I finally put up the pictures... yah I am slow. thanks to AR for taking them!

NWGC Avy Class Album