avalache awareness- for snowshoers

At this point, it really is necessary for that person to seek out actual education. Instructions on your equipment will not save lives. I do agree there should be an easier way to find courses but DVDs and diagrams are not the solution. From Siberia to Tierra Del Fuego avalanches are a problem and without proper instruction, i.e. a 24 hour level one course, people will continue not to recognize when they are in avalanche terrain and get in trouble.

Below is Mountain Madness's avalanche level1 schedule, there are other course providers but none with the amount of dates and instructors who can work with snowshoers.

Mountain Madness Avalanche Level 1 course schedule
Seattle: 2008 January 25-27, February 8-10, 22-24
Friday Night Lecture at Second Ascent in Ballard. Field Days at Stevens Pass.

Wenatchee:2008 February 8-10
Friday Night Lecture at Tune-A-Sport in Wenatchee. Field Days at Stevens Pass.

Cost: $240.00

I agree actually.

Another question then: WILL my unknowing, unsuspecting, un-educated friend seek out such an education? in my experience many don't even know there is such a thing as avalanche education. and thus they don't seek it out.

how 'bout something simple on the DVD/snowshoe: "Educate yourself on avalanches or DIE!"

call me pessimistic, but only in your face, easy to access, on-demand information (not $240 class) is likely to get to the most people possible. either that or some law that regulates bc access. For my part, I try my best to get the word out to everyone I know going out about educational oppotunities such as you referenced. only after teaching my best bc buddy in avi awareness and bc travel is he now really invested and planning to take this very class. but again, i don't think most newbies are lucky enough to have mentors.

Thanks for the info!

At this point, it really is necessary for that person to seek out actual education. Instructions on your equipment will not save lives. I do agree there should be an easier way to find courses but DVDs and diagrams are not the solution. From Siberia to Tierra Del Fuego avalanches are a problem and without proper instruction, i.e. a 24 hour level one course, people will continue not to recognize when they are in avalanche terrain and get in trouble.

Below is Mountain Madness's avalanche level1 schedule, there are other course providers but none with the amount of dates and instructors who can work with snowshoers.

Mountain Madness Avalanche Level 1 course schedule
Seattle: 2008 January 25-27, February 8-10, 22-24
Friday Night Lecture at Second Ascent in Ballard. Field Days at Stevens Pass.

Wenatchee:2008 February 8-10
Friday Night Lecture at Tune-A-Sport in Wenatchee. Field Days at Stevens Pass.

Cost: $240.00

some far flung ideas:

Organize an awareness campaign complete with sign-ups for more formal educational activities at all the regions ski-swaps and film festivals. If it was a central theme of the events themselves with some multi-media we could begin to affect the culture to be more aware of their dangerous mountain enviornments. It could pitch the beauty and benefits of getting out there, with the sobering reality of doing so.

How about a film festival with these themes headlining the whole event. How about Banff Film Festival leading the way. Warren Miller taking up the cause.

The State of Washington and the NWFS should be sponsors and very visible.

The free online film "A Dozen More Turns" is a good one to forward to people. IMO, it highlights the dangers well and shows how group dynamics come into play. It is about skiers, but should apply to snowshoers as well.

www.lifeonterra.com/episode.php?id=79

Our courses have always accomodated snowshoers (for 20 years or so) at the AA Level. At LI, we divide the groups by travel abilities; i.e. advanced skiers and snowboarders, or intermediate skiers and snowshoers. LI just means taking a travel oriented field day in addition to the first introductory and rescue field day.

Here are the remaining courses to be offered this year: All are open for sign-up.

Marmot: Avalanche Awareness/LI. Lectures January 8, 15 & 22, evening lectures (attend all 3). Check-in first night at 6:45 pm. Lectures begin at 7:00pm
Field choice of January 12, 19 or 20. Cost 3 2-1/2 hour lectures and 1 field day $185,
Marmot 425-453-1515 and the Vertical World 206-283-4497 will take sign-ups
Optional Additional field day for LI: Choice of January 13, 26, 27, February 10 or 23. Cost for Additional LI field day $110
Sign-up at Vertical World 206-283-4497

Backpacker supply Avalanche Awareness/LI, contact at 253-472-4402 for schedule $185
Backpacker 253-472-4402 and the Vertical World 206-283-4497 will take sign-ups
Optional Additional field day for LI: Schedule TBD. Cost for Additional LI field day $110
Sign-up at Vertical World 206-283-4497

REI Redmond: Avalanche Awareness/LI Lectures: January 28, February 4 &11, evening lectures (attend all 3). Check-in first night at 6:00 pm Lectures begin at 6:15pm. Cost 3 2-1/2 hour lectures and 1 field day $185
Field: choice of February 2, 3, 9, or 10
Sign-up at Vertical World 206-283-4497
Optional Additional field day for LI: Choice of February 10 or 23. Cost for Additional LI field day $110
Sign-up at Vertical World 206-283-4497

REI Seattle: Avalanche Awareness/LI Lectures: January 29, February 5 & 12, evening lectures (attend all 3). Check-in first night at 6:00 pm. Lectures begin at 6:15pm. Cost 3 2-1/2 hour lectures and 1 field day $185
Field: choice of February 2, 3, 9, or 10
Sign-up at Vertical World 206-283-4497
Optional Additional field day for LI: Choice of February 10 or 23. Cost for Additional LI field day $110
Sign-up at Vertical World 206-283-4497


Free Avalanche Awareness lectures: Seattle REI, January 16, Tacoma REI, January 23, 7:00pm

I tried to get REI (working with friends) to put out bundled literature including avy course lectures and literature a number of years ago. I think snowshoeing has the same problem as snowmobiling - basically it is easy to do and so people without avy savvy can get into trouble without realizing it.

I started my education about backcountry travel in snow last year.  I took Gary's recreational avalanche course with the one field day and I also took an Avy 1 class with the Tacoma Mountaineers based on Bruce T's book.  I joined Tacoma Mountain Rescue, going on three missions to date.  I've continued building my, so far, basic alpine climbing skills and I am taking advantage of my AT setup.  I am signed up for an Avy II class in Feb.  Call me crazy or ignorant, whatever; this subject isn't about avalanche awareness as much as it is about making more sound travel decisions.  The human factor portion of the discussion ought to be more in the forefront and not after, or even within the discussion of terrain, snowpack, and weather.  Risk management and human factors is the name of the game.  My RM equation goes like this.  Weaknesses or vulnerabilities and threat rating factored against probability equals consequences.

A short story to end my post.  In 1988 I attained a Commercial Airman Certificate with Instrument Rating in the relatively short time frame of 8 months.  What a hot shot I thought I was!  We were living in Vista, CA and I would fly my wife and friends to lunch in Santa Barbara and to dinner in Palm Springs.  One flight I spread my instrument rating wings and flew an instrument flight plan from Oceanside, CA to Tucson, AZ at night.  The conditions however were KAVU.  Feeling more bold I later flew an instrument flight plan from Oceanside to Santa Barbara in full on instrument conditions; low vis, low ceiling, in the clouds from 500' agl in Oceanside to 200' agl at Santa Barbara.  I am here to tell the story, but the approach to final and the final instrument approach were ugly at best.  I am sure it matches the suffering and terror many climbers have experienced.  I made it back to Oceanside OK although I didn't have much of a lunch at the Elephant Bar at the airfield.  My instrument instructor was at Oceanside when I returned and we chatted a bit and he noticed what a nervous sweaty wreck I was.  So he says, whered ya go?  I said Santa Barbara.  He said, howd it go?  I said, damm near killed myself.  He said, well that's all your rating is good for.  I said, is what?  He said, a license to go kill yourself thats what.  Point is the education on the science is crucial, but how to use the information is getting lost somehow.