Backcountry Skills Course

Overview

This 3-day workshop is being held at the Williams Peak Hut in the Sawtooth Mountains, where prime backcountry terrain is at our doorstep.  Participants will be exposed to techniques and skills, which are necessary to be a competent member of a backcountry party.  This includes a particular focus toward Avalanche Awareness while enjoying backcountry skiing and splitboarding.  Learning to use your gear, develop navigational skills and assess the terrain for snow quality and stability will also be an emphasis.

Schedule/Topics

  • Daily Tour prep and planning/ Basic map reading/intro compass use
  • Efficient use and care of equipment (AT, Telemark, Splitboard)
  • Avalanche beacon use skills and Companion Search & Rescue
  • Mountain weather & Snowpack
  • Basic avalanche hazard evaluation
  • Relating snow qualities to slope aspect and terrain shape
  • Group management in alpine terrain while skiing, including route selection and trail setting uphill/downhill
  • Decision-making/human factors, Backcountry mis-haps/ avalanche accidents

More Info