avalache awareness- for snowshoers

Recon,

You might consider taking an avalanche course from a course provider that teaches the AIARE (American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education) curriculum.  Human factors is taught right up front and early in their courses.

www.avtraining.org

I agree, my next course is with AIARE provider Mountain Madness. I did benefit very much from the Gary Brill and Tacoma courses though.

each one teach one.....

I've had 2 conversations with snowshoers in the last week, one with a random chick at the dog park and one with a co-worker who is a experienced hiker/backpacker who just got some snow shoes for Xmas, both of which I think made a impression.

Both were talking about snowshoeing in the same terms you'd discuss a summer hike, w/o any apparent thought of avy danger.

I let them both know that things can change dramatically and quickly in the winter, directed them to Gary Brill's post re remaining classes, and am keeping my fingers crossed that I made a impression.

Bottom line, and what I seek to articulate here, is that as more experienced BC users we should be seeking to do firm and factual outreach when we see someone whose understanding of their risk profile could be further expanded.

Now go tell it on the mountain