NSAS coming up this weekend

NSAS is coming this weekend and there are still spaces open. This is a really valuable way to glean the experience of those who make it their profession to study or control avalanches, and to start the season with awareness of danger and how to deal with it.



Northwest Snow & Avalanche Summit- Oct 24th

Northwest Snow & Avalanche Summit 2009
Host: Michael Jackson, Executive Director of the Alpine Safety Awareness Program
Type: Education - Workshop
Price: $40.00 online, $50.00 at the door- Checks or Cash ONLY on the day of the event. www.brownpapertickets.com/event/78728
Date: Saturday, October 24, 2009
Time: 8:30am - 5:00pm
Location: REI Flagship Store
Street: 222 Yale Avenue
City/Town: Seattle, WA

The Northwest Snow and Avalanche Summit (NSAS) is a professional development seminar for avalanche workers, and a continuing education opportunity for recreationalists. NSAS is intended for ski patrollers, forecasters, ski guides, search and rescue teams, as well as any number of other occupations that occur on and around snow. The content of NSAS is relevant to professionals and recreationalists alike.

All Ortovox S1 owners can bring their transceivers to NSAS for a free software upgrade.

Tickets can be purchased at: www.brownpapertickets.com/event/78728
Please note that NSAS will be limited to the first 300 participants to sign up. This event has sold out the previous two years.

Your host, Michael "MJ" Jackson, is the Executive Director of ASAP. www.alpinesafety.org/
"The Alpine Safety Awareness Program (ASAP) is a community-based effort that uses local resources to teach alpine safety skills to children and adults throughout the Pacific Northwest. We aim to save lives and reduce injuries by proactively increasing alpine safety awareness. Since 1999, we have reached more than 30,000 students and adults through our programs. Our goal is to make safety a habit among all winter outdoor enthusiasts."

Assisting him as the 2009 NSAS Coordinator is Sarah Stewart.

Updated Schedule:
THEME: “Risk Management in the Avalanche Industry”
8:00-8:30~ Registration
8:30-8:45~ Welcome (Steve Christie, Host)
8:45-9:30~ Kenny Kramer (NWAC Forecaster), “Dangers in Interpreting Danger Level: A Matter of Scale”
9:30-10:15~ Colin Zacharias (ACMG/AMGA Guides Examiner, AIARE Technical Director), "Snowpack Tests: Recent Research and a Guide's Practical Approach"
10:15-10:45~ BREAK
10:45-11:30~ Simon Trautman (CAIC Forecaster), “Wet Snow Characteristics”
11:30-12:15~ Thomas Exner (ACMG Mountain Guide, Researcher), “Deep Slab Instabilities”
12:15-13:45~ LUNCH
13:45-14:30~ Greg Johnson (CAA Forecaster), “The Avalanche Terrain Exposure Scale - An Introduction”
14:30-15:15~ Ted Steiner (BNSF Railroad Avalanche Safety Consultant),“ Complexities of a Modern Forecasting Program”
15:15-15:45~ BREAK
15:45-16:30~ Mike Stanford (WSDOT Avalanche Supervisor), “Management of an Auto-Feed”
16:30- 1700~ Rob Gibson (Snoqualmie Pass Patrol Director), “Lines in the Snow: Communication Between Backcountry Enthusiasts and Regional Avalanche Control Programs"
1700-20:00~ No Host Beer Garden

For FBers:
NSAS 2009: www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=125680529406
ASAP Dinner & Fundraiser: www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=141672052489

almost sounds like NASA ! livin' in the Tahoe area I always wait in the morn' for the 7 am report to come out. I use the phone report at home, and then I look on the net at the library that day or the next, just to review the details. Our Avalanche Center is called Sierra Avalanche Center. It is also real good to check the archives, for the ratings, and snowfall amounts.
They offer resort "ski days" to benefit the Center. You can meet the forecasters and buy a t-shirt to.
One of the good things I've learned is you can still go out during "dumping conditions" if so inclined. My main spot has some [low angled], gladed pitches to play on, during Considerable to High ratings.
I saw in the Back Country mag that the Forest Service has an avalanche 'tutorial' available. The basics and skills sections are very user-friendly. fsavalanche