Avalanche Skills Training Level 2 – Avalanche Canada
This 4 day Avalanche Skills Training Level 2 course is an active FIELD BASED course designed for AST 1 graduates. It will test your ability to gather quality data, improve your interpretation skills and highlight opportunities to make better choices regarding route selection and group management in avalanche terrain. Learn to manage terrain in response to changing avalanche conditions.
Rescue skills will be honed through multiple scenarios and a stronger emphasis on teamwork and the fundamental search techniques than in the AST1. Prepare to be challenged!
Knowledge and skills creating a foundation for safe winter travel.
Follow this link for the AST2 course outline set by Avalanche Canada.
Objectives
At the end of the course, students should be able to:
• Be familiar with Avalanche Danger Ratings and verification techniques for personal use on a local scale.
• Be familiar with the Avalanche Terrain Exposure Scale technical model, as a means to develop personal, local terrain ratings.
• Use / demonstrate snowmobile terrain route finding to manage personal risk.
• Use travel techniques in avalanche terrain appropriate to the avalanche conditions.
• Proficiently carry out companion rescue.
Prerequisites – Avalanche Skills Training Level 2
• Participants must have completed an Avalanche Skills Training Level 1 within the last 3 years.
• Participants must be at least 19 years of age or be accompanied by a parent/guardian.
• Participants must have Intermediate to Advanced backcountry snowmobile riding ability
• Participants must have your own mountain capable snowmobile and related transportation, safety and maintenance equipment – rental equipment may be available
• You must be proficient & consistent with your transceiver skills (there will not be a lot of time spent on teaching you how to use your beacon in this course – you are expected to come with those skills)
BOOKING
This course will be limited to 12 students in each class! Pre-screening is required – APPLICANTS please contact AMBER at TRIGGER POINT – online registration is not available until after Pre-screening.
Phone or email to register: 250-814-7210 amberwood@trigger-point.ca
COST:
$700 / student + GST (Plus Trail Fees)
8 students minimum
12 students maximum
2021 – 2022 DATES:
Option #1 – Four days split over 2 weekends
Jan 8-9 – Golden, BC (2 days – Part 1)
Feb 19-20 – Golden, BC (2 days – Part 2)
Option #2 – Four consecutive days
Feb 17-20 – Golden, BC (4 days – Part 1&2)
Equipment needed to be AST 2 ready! The following equipment may be purchased online or at a mountain shop.
Equipment required (materials from AST 1)
• Transceiver, Probe, Shovel, Backpack
• Sledding in Avalanche Terrain (AST 1 Manual) ($10)
• AVALUATOR (booklet and card) ($15)
• Snow Saw or folding bush saw (greater than 30cm)
• Snowmobile in good working order with tools and backcountry gear
• Trail fees ($25/riding day)
• Bag lunches
• Clothes for all weather, including dry clothing for indoor evening sessions
Equipment to be supplied by course leader
• Decision Making in Avalanche Terrain (Field Book)
Equipment Recommended
• Digital beacon
• Probe with measurement increments (min 3 meters)
• PRE–READ – Staying Alive in Avalanche Terrain – Book – Bruce Tremper ($30)
• Digital thermometer (a meat thermometer from the grocery store will work)
• Snow Saw or folding bush saw (greater than 30 cm)
• Snow Crystal Screen
• Loupe (8-10x magnification)
• Rustchblock cord or thin diameter rope (3^+ m length)
• Compass with an inclinometer feature
• First Aid Kit