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| © Bill Glude 2007
Field Course Information
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Travel Procedures
The risk management for our group is a primary concern, so we must strictly observe the following rules for our field trips:
* We go out as a group and we return as a group - no exceptions! If you arrive late, after we have left the trailhead, you will not be allowed to join the group. No early departures are allowed, either. If anyone has trouble in the field, we must all be prepared to stick together and stay to help for as long as it takes.
* We function as a group in the field. No one goes ahead of the instructor without specific permission, and we must stay within sight distance of each other. This rule does not change when we heading in at the end of the day. Anyone who disregards instructions for safety and conduct of the class, or engages in activity that puts any or all of us at risk will not be allowed on further field trips.
* The courses require the gear and skills to stay comfortable and warm outdoors for long periods in sometimes-terrible weather. If you show up without the proper equipment, food, fluids, and clothing, you put all of us at risk and we cannot allow you to go with us into the field. Review the equipment list and be sure you bring everything on it.
* We love dogs, but ski area policies prohibit dogs from accompanying us on field trips out of Eaglecrest, unless they are trained rescue or guide dogs.
* If you have a disability or any medical conditions, let us know beforehand.
* Any injuries on field trips must be reported promptly to the instructor.
* No one leaves the parking lot at the end of the day without checking with the instructors. We must confirm that everyone is back safely.
* If we are out several days in a row, you may keep gear that has been checked out to you until the end of that session but must turn it in before you leave on the final day. We must confirm that your gear is checked in before you leave the parking lot.
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Fitness
* These are intensive courses. You will get a lot out of our field workshops, but you should expect to be run into the ground. Our days will be long, even in courses spread over more time than one weekend. We have boiled the courses down to eliminate excess material and teach only the key points, and we make the learning fun, but the world of snow and mountains is complex, and we must cover a tremendous amount of material.
Our shortest field course, the Awareness and Rescue, requires about 11 hours of classroom and field time, one full classroom evening and one long field day. The Level 1 course requires a minimum of 33 hours, which we prefer to spread out over six 2 1/4 hour classroom evenings and three long field days spread over two consecutive weekends. The Level 2 requires about 45 hours, with four full classroom evenings and four long field days spread over two consecutive weekends.
Be well-rested before the course, and plan your weekend so you can focus. Have your gear ready ahead of time, and make rest a priority each night.
* Juneau Backcountry Awareness and Rescue and Level 1 require a moderately high level of physical fitness to reach suitable areas. Awareness and Rescue groups travel much less than Level 1 groups. If suitable snow exists where it is accessible by road or snowmachine, we will work there for the Awareness and Rescue courses. If not, we may have to hike up to the lower Level 1 field areas. We are out for day trips only, no camping.
Level 1 courses climb a short distance up the lower Eaglecrest ski runs to the upper nordic loop, then depart into trailless backcountry. Conditions may include mud, swamp, and bushwhacking, as well as deep or wet snow. We climb a total of anywhere from 280-710m (900-2,300 feet) and travel 2- 5 km (1-3 miles) each day.
* In all course locations, Level 2 groups travel much more and involve much more challenging terrain and snow conditions.
* Juneau Snowmachine Awareness and Rescue courses travel up to field areas in the popular mountain riding areas.
* In all course locations, Snowmachine Level 1 field groups range much farther than the nonmotorized backcountry courses. Conditions permitting, we capitalize on the mobility we have with our sleds.
* In Haines, backcountry groups should expect to climb about 460m (1500') and 2.5 - 3.5 km(1.5-2 miles) to get to our field areas. Snowmobile field groups range much farther, conditions permitting.
* In Petersburg, backcountry groups have to climb roughly 460m(1500') and 3.5 km (2 miles) distance to get to suitable field areas, depending on snow conditions and availability of a snowmachine shuttle. Snowmobile field groups range much farther, conditions permitting.
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Travel Ability
* If you are not already an experienced winter traveler, a winter travel course is highly recommended prior to your field avalanche course. You should also get at least first aid training, and we strongly recommend Wilderness First Responder or higher training for all backcountry travelers.
* For Level 1 courses, you must be comfortable with whatever you will have on or under your feet on 20º-25º slopes (like Hooter lift at Eaglecrest) in good snow, and be able to travel effectively when the snow is bad or the slope is 35-45+º (like the advanced runs at Eaglecrest).
You need not be an expert skier, boarder, snowmachiner, or winter mountaineer by any means, but you must have the physical conditioning and winter travel skills necessary for safety in our field conditions and for keeping to our schedule. The Level 1 course is not for outdoor novices. If you do not have the necessary basic fitness and winter travel ability, we cannot allow you to participate in the field trips.
* Advanced Level 1 groups, and all Level 2 groups require a high level of physical fitness to reach suitable areas. We will not be camping, but even for a Level 1 course, we climb anywhere from 280-710m (900-2,300 feet) and travel 2- 5 km (1-3 miles) through trailless country each field day. An average Level 2 day involves about as much travel as the high end of the Level I range. For the Level II course, you will need to be comfortable on 30º-45º+ slopes (like the East Bowl Chutes or most West Bowl runs) in good snow, be able to survive them in variable snow, and be fit for field days involving more travel than in the Level I course. Conditions may include mud, swamp, and bushwhacking as well as deep or wet snow.
* For snowmobile field groups, you should bring a machine that can get around in deep snow and steeper terrain, have it well maintained and set up, and be comfortable and fit for riding it in the mountains. Carry spare belt, tools, plugs, and a tow strap. Traveling as a group, we will be able to help each other break trail, so less skilled riders or those with less capable machines can reach our field areas.
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Personal Field Gear
Clothing
You must have enough clothing to be out in the field all day, regardless of the weather. Our studies require us to stand around and be in contact with the snow far more than you do on a typical recreational day. Bring at least two layers more than you usually wear. Bring chemical heat packs if you have chronically frosty fingers or toes or if it's a cold day. If you have chronically cold toes, hiking boots are not warm enough for cold days. Wear insulated boots like Sorels or a warm pair of snowboard boots, big enough for two pairs of socks without being too tight, and keep the laces loose. Wear extra-warm layers on your legs and torso, too.
Do not rely on movement for warmth. We must be able to stop for variable and often long periods in order to teach the course. We cannot move just because you are cold. Your warmth is your responsibility.
Similarly, we cannot move because you are impatient. We must pace ourselves to slower group members and will spend far more time talking, observing, and practicing skills than you do on a recreational day. This is a course, we are here to learn. You can travel fast and ride hard on other days.
Required Clothing
long underwear - synthetic, silk, or wool; NOT cotton
shirt or turtleneck - synthetic, silk, or wool; or heavy long underwear
at least three warm insulating layers, such as: fleece vest, fleece jacket, wool sweater, fiberfill coat or vest, or pile coat or vest
shell parka - waterproof breathable preferred
pants - shell and insulation, such as: wool pants, warmup bibs, or fleece pants plus waterproof breathable bibs
gaiters - if they are not built into your pants
warm boots and socks
warm hat - like a stocking cap or beanie
mitts or gloves
Recommended Clothing
neck gaiter or scarf
baseball hat for warm, sunny days
extra set of mitts or gloves
Required Field Gear
* beacon - 457 kHz or dual 457 kHz/2275 Hz frequencies
* probe
shovel - sturdy, lightweight avalanche shovel - NOT a discount store shovel!
day pack - a good rucksack with straps or pockets for gear, including shovel and boards;
snowmachiners will be okay carrying gear on their machines.
A way to get around efficiently in the snow - no postholing!
1.) Mountain skis, telemark, alpine touring, or alpine with Alpine Trekker adapters, with skins and poles.
2.) OR snowboard with snowshoes or approach skis and poles for uphill travel.
3.) OR splitboard with skins and poles.
4.) OR good mountain snowshoes. (Will be fine for both uphill and downhill; ski poles strongly recommended.)
5.) OR a mountain snowmachine, for snowmachine courses; snowshoes strongly recommended for off-sled rescue practice.
head lamp
pocket knife
lunch
insulated water bottle or thermos - at least one liter of fluids
sun glasses - required after mid-February; optional early season
sun screen and lip protection - required after mid-February; optional early season
toilet paper and lighter
blister kit and band aids
Recommended Field Gear
map and compass
first aid kit - strongly recommended
camera and film or memory cards; spare batteries and a handwarmer to keep them going
spare headlamp and beacon batteries
ski poles - essential for ski travel; strongly recommended for snowshoers
goggles - strongly recommended for skiers, snowmachiners, and snowboarders
helmet - strongly recommended for skiers, snowmachiners, and snowboarders
fieldbook - Our looseleaf avalanche fieldbooks will be available for purchase at the course, or you can use the Rite in the Rain Level Notebook #311, in the 4 5/8” x 7” size.
pencil - for taking notes and observations
clinometer - We include a combination crystal card/clinometer with the course fee.
10x hand lens - for snow study.
snow saw
binoculars
* We have a limited supply of beacons and probes available free of charge to course participants. You must reserve them in advance, though.
TEST NEW OR BORROWED GEAR BEFORE THE COURSE!
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Group Field Gear
Required Group Gear
group first aid kit
snow study kit
maps
fire starters
radio or phone
Optional Group Gear
foam pad
bivvy sack or tarp
wax
bush saw
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