I am a NSP member, Cascade Backcountry Patrol, and used to patrol at Paradise on the Nordic Patrol- so can help clarify things. Oh yeah a TAY'er too- next month completes 5 years.
The Paradise Patrol has some skiers, mostly cross country with steel edges and snow shoers- mostly on snow shoe routes. From time to time I see them out around Paradise; but seldom in the areas that the TAY skiers are. I stopped Patroling their because of their leadership. I then went though the NSP training- it is first rate- especially the Cascade Backcountry classes: Avi and Mountain Travel and Rescue- I help with the classes. The OEC (first aid) is a commitment- 130 hours(?); but well worth it. The OEC is a regular NSP course and we need to take certification exams every fall- a one day, hands on, procedure.
The OEC class is for NSP members, of which Cascade is affialiated, the Avi and MTR are open to most any one- my wife has been through the Cascade classes- great for newer skiers. All the classes are minimal cost: books (NSP) and paperwork- all volunter instructors. They sponsored Marco and myself to attend the National Av School and some day the International Snow Science(?).
The Cascade guys are often around Hyak- so a laid back atmosphere and great training: the First Aid is first rate, the Av and MTR are great too- real backcountry terain- not ski area training. They typically patrol around the passes; but not at the areas. Hope this helps- oh yeah I do have a book that has instruction on snow bombs; but don't have access to the explosives.
