This 3-day workshop is being held at the Williams Peak Hut in the Sawtooth Mountains where prime backcountry terrain is at our doorstep. The Camp is focused to provide experience and skills for more safely traveling in a variety of terrain settings with a group. Participants will be exposed to techniques and skills, which are necessary to be a competent member of a backcountry party with a particular focus toward Avalanche Awareness while enjoying backcountry skiing and riding. During the 3 days we will consider the weather and Snowpack stability, the skills and interests of the group and develop a tour plan each day. While out in the field we will continue to assess avalanche hazard, practice route selection uphill and downhill while managing the terrain with safe backcountry travel and skiing protocols. Learning to use your gear, develop navigational skills and assess the terrain for snow quality and stability will also be an emphasis.

Daily Tour prep and planning/ Basic map reading/intro compass use; Efficient use and care of equipment, avalanche beacon use skills; mountain weather & Snowpack, slab avalanche mechanics, basic avalanche hazard evaluation; Relating snow qualities to slope aspect and terrain shape; Group management in alpine terrain while skiing; Route selection and trail setting uphill/downhill; Decision-making/ human factors; Backcountry mis-haps/ avalanche accidents Companion Search & Rescue. Considerations for bivouac.

TBA: Various SMG staff.

$375.00 (Includes instruction, food, hut use, and course materials)

Winter

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