Combined Avalanche/Mountaineering Course A Success!

 

For the first time ever, a combined fundamental Avalanche and MTR (Mountain Travel & Rescue) course was held in the South Central Region during January 2004. Instructors from both programs held 3 night classroom sessions at Little Switz Ski Area, Slinger, WI, along with a 1-day field trip at Northern Kettle Moraine State Forest, near Dundee, WI.

 

The course turned out to be a region affair, with patrollers and instructors from six different patrols. Eighteen participants, (17 patrollers & 1 friend) covered the fundamentals of each program in the 4 sessions.  Each participant then received certificates of completion for both fundamental courses. Patrollers receiving certificates were (Little Switzerland): Jeff Anderson, Brad Bailey, Jim Bourdon, John Botsford, Jeff Cain, Jeremy DeWall, Kevin Ketter, Keli Posser, Matt Poser, Brett Rindt, Don Rossow, and Larry Wiesner. (Sunburst): Jay Kristola, Gretchen Kristola. (Devil's Head): Bob Bratvold, Judy Hilgers. (Crystal Ridge): Robb Westphal. Non-Patroller: Ian Los, Milwaukee.
Avalanche Instructors: Bill Hunley, Dick Kornitz, and Scott Schafer. MTR Instructors: Ken Anderson, Darrell Higley, John Powalisz, George Sladky, Deb Stone, and Tim Troutt.

 

Avalanche topics included an introduction to avalanche terrain & snow conditions, avalanche control terminology, mountain route selection, avalanche beacons and avalanche rescue procedure including searching/probing for buried persons.  MTR topics included an introduction to working & living in the winter environment, clothing selection and the layering principle, navigation with map & compass, emergency shelters, basic search & rescue skills, and proper food preparation and hydration.

 

In the past two years each program has developed a 3-tiered system of course instruction. Each program has a fundamentals level which touches upon the basic concepts and knowledge's; a Level 1 course that emphasizes specific skills with more field work; and a Level 2 course that is an advanced, multi-day field exercise where skills are practiced in more intense outdoor environments. For example, the Avalanche Level 2 course is usually held each March in the mountains near Salt Lake City, Utah; while the MTR 2 course is usually held in northern WI or Upper Michigan in the Lake Superior snow belt.

 

The combined course idea developed last fall as the Little Switz Ski Patrol requested courses be held at their hill for their basic patrollers and senior candidates. With that type of interest from one patrol, the advisors for Avalanche & MTR decided to try the combined course concept. The ski patrol leadership and the hill management provided the classroom space to support the program. A big Thank You goes out to the Little Switz management and the Little Switz Ski Patrol.

 

If your ski patrol desires additional training  for your members and you can provide classroom accommodations, courses can be presented right at your ski hill. Please contact Avalanche & MTR region advisors listed below to discuss a program that fits your local needs. With advanced scheduling, everyone has more time to prepare for these courses; so don't wait to discuss your future training needs, act now.