Cascade Backcountry Ski Patrol

Like tim_place said for 542...when you are ready for 410 and Paradise, we are ready for you.

Couple other questions...
1. Do we get to pull people's passes for ducking ropes?
2. Are we guaranteed first tracks before public?
3. Do we have to wear those awful red coats with the targets on the back?
4. And most exciting, do we get to throw bombs?

Hmm, that sounds like someone I know.

Thanks for the interest,


Tim_place –
- Good news, you don’t have to wear the patches and we only meet twice a year. Most all patrol functions are dealt with on the member’s page of our website and by emails. Probably much the same way you folks set up a tour. It would be great to have a presence at 542, but we don’t have the human resources yet ( hence this posting)


Snoslut –
1. Nope
2. See answer to number 4.
3. Only if you are in front of me and going to cut first tracks – see answer number 4.
4. I have been lobbying hard for a Grenade Launcher as standard issue dual purpose device. Unfortunately the powers to be have yet to see the beauty in my logic.


Blitz,

1. The MTR, AVI classes offered by CBSP have not been scheduled yet. . Last year the MTR 1 and Avy 1 class consisted of 3 weeks of classroom (Tuesday and Thursday evenings) in February and a weekend overnight practical in March.
The AVI / MTR instructor for our patrol was awarded Outstanding Instructor for the Region by the NSP. He worked at NOLS and also attended the National Avalanche School. But I digress, As an NSP member you can attended any course in the country put on by the NSP. So if you miss our AVI class ( or any other course) you can take one from any of the other NSP class locations.

2. Some training is done at Snoqualmie, The MTR and AVI field work is typically taught in the back country north east of Stevens Pass. Some training is done in town.
3. Training is up to you and can be taken at your own pace. Most candidates can finish their entire candidate training in a year. Some of us took a couple of years. To graduate from candidate to full patroller you need to complete the following: OEC, MTR I and AVY I, CPR/ AED (automatic external defibrillation) for the Profession Rescuer, and 10 duty days (ski days) with a CBSP patroller. When you do your duty days is up to you so long as you have a patroller with you.
4. All NSP course fees for members are minimal. It kind of gratifying to take a $400. AVY course for the price of the books. OEC is the most expensive course I have taken to date and its cost was a fraction the general public pays.
5. I just looked through our bylaws and it says that membership is open to 15 year olds and older. I am assuming this is a junior program, thus a parent must be a patroller/ candidate too. But that would be a good question for Scott. Regardless family is always welcome.

Ron, cutting those cornices is good for you.

Rusty, what about 410 and Paradise contingent???

Rusty,

Establishing bunkhouse access at Mt Rainier National Park similar to the National Forest Service perk would certainly trigger some interest among many people here.   

Blitz & Marco Angel,

I would very much like to see our patrol operations expand to 410. I tend to ski a lot in this area anyway, although it is not considered a duty day.


Since management at Crystal has decided to down size their Volunteer Ski Patrol in favor of a paid patrol staff (a knuckle head move in my humble opinion) we have sent a recruiting invitation to their Volunteer Patrol Director. He as offered to pass this invitation along to patrollers who need a new home. When we have sufficient personal to make a viable presence, TAYers included, it would then be possible for the patrol to decide to expand into this area.


Mt Rainer probably won’t happen; the Park Rangers have Rainer pretty much handled.


A general thought to all TAY folks. The real advantage of joining our patrol is the first aid skill sets, rescue, and avy techniques you will learn. Think of it this way, if your buddy busts a femur, dislocates a shoulder, or any other injury, you can get him splinted / immobilized and transported with less chance of him/ her bleeding out or suffering more damage. It’s definitely a plus if they can do the same for you. It beats the heck out of calling for help and just waiting…

Hi Rusty,

This group covers the Narada Falls to Paradise area with some nice support from the park:

www.wstc.org/patrol/patrol_info.htm

However, they're not a part of NSP so don't benefit from the training programs (OEC, MTR, AVI, etc.) nor do they venture as much into more adventurous areas as the greater TAY community does. Not to make enemies, but it'd be nice to have a real NSP group in the area...