Avalanche Short Course – December 29

Course Description:

I’m glad to see this excellent short course being re-introduced by the American Avalanche Association.  Much knowledge and hands-on training gained in a one day on the snow course.

Full day of learning and we’ll travel by snowmobile or snow bike in class.  You’ll be learning a proven morning routine that works, group dynamics, transceiver and rescue skills, identifying avalanche terrain, signs of instability, terrain traps, stability tests and participate in a rescue scenario.

Who’s it for:  Anyone who hasn’t taken an on-snow avalanche class, those wanting to refresh skills after taking a level 1, and recreational riders.

Riding Ability:  Don’t worry about your riding skills.  The class is fun and we work as a team to get to the learning areas using groomed trails, single track and easy meadow riding.  If the entire group is more accomplished riders, we’ll ramp it up.  The snowmobiles and snowbikes are used to gain access to areas where we park and then teach.

Location: Yampa, CO Dunkley Pass Parking Area (Sheriffs Reservoir)

Class start:   8:30am – Be dressed to ride and spend the day outside.

Dates:.  December 29, 2024

Cost: $290

Refund policy:  No refunds will be given within 30 days of class start date.

Schedule:  8:30 am-5:00pm

• Group meeting/discussion outside:
  8:30am-9:30am.  Daily preparation-4 steps.  Waivers. Bring a lunch. Dress warm.
  9:30-5:00 Travel and learning in the Backcountry.

What to do for preparation: Read your transceiver manual. Practice using your transceiver and switching from transmit to search.  Make sure you have new batteries. Make sure all your gear is ready.  Bring notebook and pen to class.  Read the avalanche forecast.  Make notes on questions you have for class.

Have your machines in excellent working order, fueled and ready.

What to bring:  Snowmobile or Snow Bike. Transceiver (3 antenna), shovel, probe, tunnel bag, backpack or airbag pack, sunglasses, multiple pairs of gloves, sunscreen, face protection, survival and first aid gear, hat, food (lunch) and water for in the field, extra layers, head lamp, notebook, pens, pencil, camera.

 If you don’t have avalanche gear, please let me know and I can supply it.

Dress warmer than expected.  We are out in the elements for long periods of time at or above timberline.  You will be standing still at times, dress much warmer than you would for nonstop aggressive riding.    Bring a thermos with hot liquids if it is going to be cold.  We do not cancel for cold weather.

Instructor: Mike Duffy. Professional member and Certified instructor/school American Avalanche Association.  Teaching at American Avalanche Institute, Colorado Mountain College and Silverton Avalanche School. Rescue/avalanche team leader/ Vail Mountain Rescue Group. Graduate of National Avalanche School, National Academy of Winter Guiding, AVPRO & Professional Avalanche Search & Rescue. Mountain Snowmobiler for 25 years. Provided training for Arctic Cat, Polaris, Ski-Doo, Mountain Rescue Teams, FBI and Navy Seals. Backcountry Guide/riding instructor. 26 years experience in proven, effective avalanche education.

Any questions or running late, please contact Mike Duffy at (970) 390-9433 email [email protected]