Are you a seasoned backcountry adventurer or just getting into the game? Take your skills to the next level by taking an
Avalanche Skills Training (AST) course! Ask any old crusty backcountry enthusiast and they will tell you that the
learning never ends, that’s a big part of what draws us to it.
Avalanche training is not only essential for your safety in the mountains, but it also enhances your overall
experience in the backcountry.
Here are 5 essential skills every backcountry adventurer will learn from avalanche training:
1. Identifying Avalanche Terrain
One of the first things you’ll learn in avalanche training is how to identify and assess avalanche terrain. This is a lifelong skill that takes years of practice and mentorship to dial in but the basics are essential to get you started. By understanding the factors that contribute to avalanches, such as slope angle, aspect, and snowpack stability, you
can make informed decisions about where to travel (and not to travel) in the backcountry. Where we place ourselves in the terrain is one of the few variables
that we have control over so this large nugget of knowledge is extremely important.
2. Companion Rescue Techniques
Choose your backcountry friends wisely as they are the ones who need to find you.
Avalanche training teaches you how to perform a companion rescue in the event of an avalanche burial. Learning how to use a transceiver, probe, and shovel effectively can make all the difference in a life-or-death situation. Practicing these skills with your partners can help build trust and dial in those communication skills within your group. The people you choose to go into the backcountry with might be one of the most important decisions you make. You have full trust in your friend’s ability to find you if you get buried, train together and continue to practice together to dial in those skills.
3. Snowpack Assessment
Snow nerds unite!
Avalanche training (AST courses) will teach you how to observe and assess the
stability of the snowpack by performing tests such as hand shear, compression test, and extended column test. We always want to pair these tests with our continuous observations, feeling the snow as we travel and noting important clues and changes throughout the day. Understanding the characteristics of the snowpack can help you avoid triggering avalanches and make safer route-finding decisions.
4. Decision Making
Get a toolbox full of decision making resources
Avalanche training emphasizes the importance of making informed decisions in the backcountry. You’ll learn how to assess risk, communicate effectively with your partners, and use tools like the avalanche forecast to plan your day in the mountains. Learning the important role human factors can play and how we can check ourselves and our group throughout the day can be the real deal life-saving technique. Developing good decision-making skills can help you stay safe and have fun in the backcountry.
5. Continuing Education
The learning never ends….ever
Avalanche training is not the old one-and-done. It’s important to continue learning and practicing your skills to stay current and build your knowledge in the backcountry. Taking refresher courses, attending workshops, and practicing rescue drills regularly can help you stay sharp and be prepared for whatever the mountains may throw your way.
So, whether you’re a seasoned backcountry shredder or just getting started, avalanche training can provide you with the skills and knowledge you need to stay safe and have a good time in the mountains. The mountains may be calling but so is your mother, make sure you stay safe and are around to answer that dang phone call.