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MOUNTAINEERING 303- Avalanche Refresher and Transceiver Clinic
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Terrain assessment—what is “avalanche terrain?”
Route selection and gear selection for travel in avalanche terrain
Introduction to the use of avalanche transceivers and search techniques
If it has been awhile since your last AIARE avalanche course and you need to brush up and practice – or if you’re looking for a quick intro to the whole topic – this course will serve as a quick overview. We’ll review typical terrain features and their influence on avalanche activity, human factors and route selection, and proper gear selection for travel in avalanche terrain. Out in the field we’ll practice digging test pits and other snowpack assessment techniques, then we’ll bring out the transceivers for some burial drills.
Don’t kid yourself about this stuff – you have the responsibility to yourself and your partners to be fluent on this subject and practice, practice, practice. Our AIARE Level 1 certification courses are much more thorough and comprehensive – this refresher is not meant to be the final word on the topic.
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Course offered 7 days a week:
$275 + $100 each additional person
Special Group Rate:
$150 per person on these dates
2011 dates coming soon!
Start/ End: 9am to approximately 4pm. Groups will meet at the North Conway EMS
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Includes: ice axes, plastic double boots, crampons, probe, shovel, beacon, professional instruction
Does Not Include: lodging, transportation, meals, personal gear and clothing
Prerequisite: none
Driving Directions
Local Information Guide
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Equipment List for Mountaineering 303- Avalanche Refresher
EMS Climbing School Provides: All technical equipment including, plastic double boots, harness, helmet, crampons, ice axes, and snowshoes.
You Provide: (Required) Clothing is as important a piece of equipment as your boots and ice axe. Being properly dressed is essential to enjoying your outdoor adventures. Cotton has no place in your winter layering system: it keeps you cold if you sweat and it takes a long time to dry out. Synthetic fabrics or wool keep you warmer when they become wet with sweat and certain synthetic base layers are designed to wick the sweat away from your skin to keep you drier and warmer. In order to make your experience more enjoyable, please do not wear any cotton as layering pieces. Also, remember, you have to carry all your clothing with you, so packing efficiently is important. If you can't wear it all at once, you don’t need to bring it. If you have questions about how many or which items to bring, please call 800-310-4504. We expect that you will be dressed and ready to go upon arrival for your lesson. Land Navigation participants will be indoors for the first half of the day and then outside, so dress accordingly.
* indicates rental item from the climbing school or retail store. Call 800-310-4504 to discuss rental needs. Not all EMSCS locations are equipped with rental gear. Please inquire at the time of your reservation.
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Base Layer
(top and bottom)
Light to mid-weight synthetics, snug fit and close to skin, eg. EMS® Techwick®.
Over-Base Layer
(top and bottom)
Light-weight fleece or heavy-weight EMS® Techwick®. Power-Stretch and micro-fleece are ideal materials for this layer. No heavy, 300 weight fleece trousers—you will be over-dressed.
Insulation Layer
(jacket only)
200 to 300 weight fleece, heavy weight soft shell or Prima-Loft sweater
Uninsulated Waterproof/breathable Shell
(jacket and pants)
EMS System III, Gortex®, or similar waterproof/breathable material. Jacket MUST have an integrated hood. Flimsy “stow-away” nylon hoods are not adequate. Full side zip pants are helpful.
"Over-It-All"
(jacket)
A.K.A. "Puffy" --Hooded, Down or Prima-Loft Jacket.
Gloves/Mittens
(1 pair)
Either warm gloves or mittens.
Fleece Hat
*Daypack
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Wool/Synthetic Socks
(1 pair)
*Gaiters
These should fit around your entire calf as well as fit over your pant layering system and a plastic ice climbing boot. Summer hiking gaiters will not fit over plastic boots and leg layers.
Lunch
Peanut butter and jelly, cheese and pepperoni…whatever you normally eat on the trail. Temps may be well below freezing, so choose food accordingly, and make sure you can open it and eat it with gloves on.
Snacks
Trail mix and energy bars
Water 1-2 liters
Use a wide-mouth Nalgene plastic bottle. No thin plastic Poland Spring bottles, water bladder hydration systems, or metal water bottles.
Sunwear
Sunglasses and Sun-block
Optional Items
Camera
Light-weight thermos (1 liter max, with a hot drink in it)
Water Bottle Insulator (old "clean" socks work well)
Hand/Foot Warmers
Trekking Poles
Money for Souvenirs! (Climbing School t-shirts, travel mugs, ceramic mugs and water bottles available)
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Missing anything on this list?
Don't forget your 20% discount EMS coupon that comes with your Climbing School confirmation letter!
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