How to use the AVALUATOR Trip Planner
In order to use the Trip Planner of the AVALUATOR properly we need two pieces of information: the avalanche danger rating and a terrain rating.
To obtain the Avalanche Danger Rating we need to obtain the Public Avalanche Bulletin and choose the hazard rating of the elevation band and day that we wish to travel on. NOTE that if we are traveling below tree-line and our choice is challenging or complex terrain then we must choose the highest level of predicted avalanche danger. i.e. if danger is rated as Considerable, Considerable, Moderate we would need to use Considerable as the highest rating of danger even though the below tree line rating is only moderate. The assumption is that most challenging and complex avalanche terrain has exposure to upper elevations.
Next we need the Terrain Ratings for the areas that we plan to ride. Some of the snowmobile areas have been professionally rated. This means that pockets of some riding areas have been labeled as Simple, Challenging, or Complex Avalanche Hazard.
Click HERE to go to the On-Line Trip Planning Tool. If you indicate that your activity is ‘snowmobile riding’ the chart below will open up with all the riding areas that have been rated for the Bulletin Region that you have selected.
BE SURE TO CLICK ON THE SUB-REGION AS IT WILL ‘UNLOCK’ THE TERRAIN RATINGS
I cut and pasted all these terrain ratings to create an Excel spreadsheet. Click HERE to download this file.
Click HERE for more info and to be redirected to the Canadian Avalanche Centre website.
Emergency Communication Tools
Communication simplifies many problems.
Satellite phones can be great tools….when they have service!
Do a little research before you buy or rent. Here are a couple of links to get you started.
Globalstar at www.globalstar.ca is in the process of bringing on-line a few satellites that were launched in the fall of 2007. Hopefully this makes a difference in their service. You can click on the links below to learn more about their current coverage and as well as their expected services in 2009.
Voice and Data Coverage
Constellation Update and Advisory
In the meantime, Globalstar recommends that you check the ‘Globalstar Optimum Availability Tool’ to track which times of the day you will have the most luck maintaining a signal.
Click HERE for an example of a Globalstar Optimum Availability Tool report.
Another satellite phone service provider is Iridium with a web address of www.iridium.com.
Currently Iridium phone users are confirming better coverage.
If you would like to rent an Iridium sat phone for your recreation or business needs consider contacting Corey Kusch in Calgary, AB at 403-875-5346 or email coreyk@landsolutions.ca
Click HERE to download the details and rate plans.
Rent an Iridium sat phone for $20/day! Very cheap insurance, especially when shared by the members of your riding group.
The Spot Messenger System at www.findmespot.com
is a lower cost system to keep in touch and send out basic emergency messages.
Check out the link above to learn more about this relatively new method of emergency location.
Voice activated radios are not really popular in the mountains, however the Chatterbox GMRS-X1 radio helped Bob and Duane avoid a serious avalanche involvement.
Click HERE to read their experience – ‘Close Call’
What do we need to bring on the field day?
Field days in the mountains will require a snowmobile. We do not provide.
Here are a couple of options for rental sleds.
Golden Snowmobile Rentals – Golden, BC
Phone: (250) 344-8175
www.goldensnowmobilerentals.com
info@goldensnowmobilerentals.com
Alpine Country Sales and Rentals – Valemount, BC
Phone: (250) 566-9774
www.alpinecountryrentals.com
Although the comfort is dependent on the state of trail grooming… traveling with a passenger is welcome. AST1 courses are completed on forest service roads/main snowmobile trails.
All participants need an avalanche beacon, probe and shovel.
Always check that you have fresh batteries.
Consider labeling your gear. Probes and shovels can sometimes be hard to identify following the rescue scenarios!
If you do not yet own avalanche rescue gear, we often encourage you not to buy. We have demo models from each of the manufacturers available for student use. Learn how they work and test them out before you buy.
Don’t forget:
- your AVALUATOR card
- lunch, snacks and water/juice/hot drinks
We will have a ‘walking lunch’.
Please bring a lunch that does not require a fire or the cabin. - OVERDRESS for the weather (warm hat, extra gloves, etc.)
Please wear at least one extra layer of clothing compared to a normal riding day. - headlamp for you modified guys with no headlights!
- cash to purchase a trail pass, usually $10-20/sled
Zac’s will provide snowstudy gear for use in the snowpits.
What do I need to know to HOST a course?
“Course Hosts” will help Zac’s with details to register participants, promote the class, choose classroom facilities and field locations, recommend community services, hotels and help with other local details.
Classroom Details
The classroom exercises require:
- 3-4 large tables for the instructor and display materials
- a lockable room
- access to washroom facilities
- blinds or curtains to darken the room for slide shows
- 1 registration table/area
- tables and chairs for the students
If possible, we prefer to set up the evening prior to the class. We budget 1 hour for set up plus any time necessary to arrange tables & chairs.
Zac’s will supply a projector, 100” screen, and other audio-visual needs.
8:30 am Registration & Waivers
9:00 am Start
12:30 – 1:00 pm lunch- a course video will play over the lunch hour
5:30 Finish
7:30 – 9:30 pm Gear talk & video*
*This evening session is recommended although not required. There is NO EXTRA COST for the evening program.
Lunch
Lunch is typically ordered in (Pizza, Chinese…) or large pot of chili. The cost for lunch can be paid by the participant or factored into the course cost. If the group would prefer an extended lunch-hour, the classroom finish time can be moved to 6:00pm.
Coffee, water, juice, pop, muffins, donuts, etc. can be factored into the quote as well or arranged by the host.
Field Details
The ‘host’ will choose the field location and needs to be very familiar with it. We will arrive prior to the course to scout the riding area in order to prepare for the practical exercises.
To fulfill the AST course objectives it is important that we can view a variety of slopes and avalanche terrain, however, our working areas must be on low angle slopes, well away from avalanche path runouts… you don’t know how to dig us out yet!
Snow depth is important for pits but also makes the beacon searches and group rescue scenarios more realistic. The depth of burial and the angle of the beacon really impacts the pinpoint search. We have backpacks and dummies that are buried for the rescue exercises and it is alway good if we don’t find them by stepping on them!
Depending on the year and the location, a snowpit in November will likely not have many interesting layers. It is just a little too early to have built much of a history.
All participants must have beacons, probes, and shovels for the field work. We have a variety of equipment from different manufacturers that may be borrowed for the day.
Please arrange this ahead of time in order that all requests are filled.
8:00 am Meet at staging area
8:30 am Registered, student equipment signed out, ready to ride
12:30 – 1:00 pm lunch
5:30 Finish
*Goal – To arrive at the trucks before dark. A little more difficult to do in the early season!
When Choosing a Staging Area
To maximize teaching time and effectiveness a field location should be:
- close to town
- less than ½ hr sled ride from staging area to the work areas
- groomed trails are always appreciated!
- adequate parking for group
Snow Study Site
- short safe slope (just off groomed trail is fine)
- undisturbed by sled tracks
- snow depth over 1m or 4’
- free from all avalanche hazards
The Snow Study Site can be an area with wind blown snow. We have done a snowpit in only 10 inches of snow before! If the site allows, it is best to fit the entire group in one long pit across a single slope.
Rescue Scenarios and Beacon Exercise Site
During the beacon exercises it is necessary that the group is well spaced out, yet within visual distance of each other.
- wide open meadows (size of a football field)
- free from all avalanche hazards
- free from electrical interference
Lunch
Students are responsible to supply their own lunch during the field day. Do not depend on a fire. We often do not have time for this luxury. Yes….you did just hear a whip crack. ;-)
What can I expect in the AST 2 advanced class?
AST 2 (Advanced Recreational Avalanche Class)
NOTE It is hoped to split the course and run:
- a 2-3 day terrain module in April 2008 (Apr 11-13 or Apr 25-27)
There are weekday options as well. - a 2-3 day snow stability module in January 2009
This schedule should have lots of advantages.
Spring typically means long days and ‘go-anywhere’ snow. A great time for learning route selection and group management & leadership skill building.
Mid-winter often delivers a more interesting snowpack to enhance stability evaluation skills. The 2nd module may take place in a different location, further enhancing the terrain evaluation exercises.
By splitting up the course over 2 weekends it may also make the program easier for more people to fit into their winter schedules.
8 people are needed to run this course. Please contact Zac’s if you would like to be added to the wait list. Once the numbers are confirmed a schedule will be customized to suit the group.
J. Kwan (tentative)
R. Hiebner (tentative)
T. Henkel (tentative)
S. Pigeon + 3
Meeting Time – 8:00am each day.
Be prepared to sled each day.
Course Fees – $450-650/pp for 4-5 days.
(Once the an instructor is booked, appropriate rates for each module will be confirmed. Rates are based on instructor fees, expenses, and materials.
Highly field based. Very small groups.
Follow this link for the course outline set by the Canadian Avalanche Centre.
Recommended field equipment (some of this can be purchased or borrowed from the instructor if necessary)
- Inclinometer card ~ $10-$20
(or a compass with an inclinometer feature ~$60) - Snow screen ~ $12-$20
- Loupe (magnifier) ~$10-15
- Folding Ruler – 2 m ~$20
- field book (write in the rain paper) ~$15-$30
- snow density kit $45
- pencils
- FULL SNOWSTUDY KIT ~ $130 (SEAR pricing, see link below)
Follow this link to the website for SEAR Search & Rescue Equipment.
www3.telus.net/sear Call Garry Walton for info & to order 250-707-0063
MEC and other mountain shops may carry this equipment also.
Recommended Preparation
Ask yourself a few questions:
Did your previous avalanche training include a hands-on component? AST1 or RAC ?
How long ago? The research, curriculum and avalanche equipment is constantly changing. Is your introductory training up to date?
How much have you ‘used’ your avy training since?
What I mean is have you ever dug a pit outside of the course?
Do you make conscious decisions related to route finding?
Do you use the CAC Avalanche Bulletin and do you understand the majority of it?
Have you ever heard of the AVALUATOR? This is a new decision making tool that is endorsed by the CAC for recreational backcountry use. You must have working knowledge of the PAB scale and the ATES scale (Avalanche Terrain Exposure Scale).
It is recommended that interested participants feel confident about the material in the ‘Sledding in Avalanche Terrain’ AST1 course manual.
It is recommended to read ‘Staying Alive in Avalanche Terrain’ by Bruce Tremper.
Personal experience digging snowpits (other than in your AST1 course) will allow you to take your introductory skills to a new level.
I have included all of these questions to help you determine the best investment: a refresher of an AST1 or to move up to the AST2.
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Please CLICK HERE to download the registration form.
07-08 AST2 RegistrationForm.pdf
Host Hotel – Comfort Inn
301 Wright Street,
Box 421
Revelstoke, BC V0E 2S0
(250) 837-2191
revelstokecomfortinn@telus.net
