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Hello, frequent perusers of the Slide Zone,
Where's the best place to do an Avy 1 class here in Californ-i-a? I don't really know what I'm looking for in an avy class, other than I'd like to be able to make some turns before, after, or during the class.
If you are looking to get ample ski time in a Level I, you'll be disappointed. The first two days are geared heavily towards classroom work, with the last day (or day and a half) geared towards field work and routefinding. But afterwards, you'll have enough knowledge to knowingly kill yourself!
As for suggestions, I have none.
No, I'm not expecting ample ski time. I'd just like to be someplace where I can maybe do a little pre-class dawn patrolling. I'm not a total snow science JONG, but I figure this would be a good thing to do so I can take more advanced classes later.
I actually thought of something- it'd be cool if the class was geared more specifically towards skiers/riders. Might make a difference, not sure though.
Mammoth?Quote:
Originally Posted by Steven S. Dallas
Stick to sucking cock in the alleywall for a quarter rontele.
http://www.sierramountaineering.com/avalanche.html
http://sierramtnguides.com/courses/C...ncheCourse.htm
http://www.bardini.org/bb_ski.htm
http://www.sierramountaincenter.com/..._courses1.html
Are 4 providers on the East Side (note Bardini & Sierra Mountain Center are combined this year so maybe it's 3). They all are based out of Bishop it looks like, and I've no personal experience with any of them.
Mountain Adventure Seminars
http://www.mtadventure.com/pages/ava...on.html#level1
out of Bear Valley (that's east of Stockton, south of Kirkwood) is closer to the snow, if farther away, and might allow for morning/evening turns.
Elsewhise, maybe Tahoe? Alpine Skills?
Thanks for the linkage- any experiences with any of them? I'd checked out SMI and SMC and both look solid; since pretty much all of them use the AIARE curriculum I was interested to know more about first-hand experience, the instructors, facilities, etc.
Alas, I'm of no help there. My only Avy Class in California was with ASI (North Lake Tahoe) 10 years ago and the instructor, Norm Wilson, has passed on.
Hey there- I have had Tim Villanueva of the Bardini foundation courses come shadow/ critique a couple of our classes here in the Tetons. He is a good teacher- knows his stuff- and sure did like to make some turns when he went out with us.
You might check to see which courses follow the new AAA guidelines (http://www.americanavalancheassociat...education.html Look in upper right corner for downloads of guidelines- they were revised this past summer and make a lot of sense.
Hope that helps.
salsa
I have heard nothing but good things about all three eastside avi classes. Of the three I would go with SMC. SP Parker, and Todd Vogel are solid peeps. I have met both at talks, and have been looking at the website for a few years. SP is on the board of ESAC, as are some of the guides at the other services. I planned to do avi last year, but the snow pack sucked so much. I may try and do the Feb. class with SMC.
Thanks Salsa and Hutash, I appreciate the help.
Hutash, I was planning on doing Feb. as well. Let me know what you decide, I'd like to meet some of the SoCal maggotry (other than comish, to whom I owe much beer).
Old thread bump. I was just thinking that it would be a good idea to (re)take one of these. I've taken an unofficial level 1 type thing in WY way back when through NOLS (?) but feel like I would benefit from a retake. Feb sounds like as good a time as any, and I'd be stoked to meet more SoCal maggots as well. Senores Dallas and Hutash, is this still on your radar?
I'm definitely down for a Level 1 course. SMC has classes Feb. 1-3 and 16-18. The 16-18 session looks good -- wouldn't have to take any time off from work and Mammoth would be a clusterfuck from the holiday weekend anyway. Plus there's the chance to witness the Patriots lose on the 3rd and I can't pass that up.:FIREdevil
Mrs. Comish and a crew did a class either last year or the year before, can't remember. I will find out who it was from. Everyone seemed to think it was pretty good. Ask Tarkman how finding the beacon went :fmicon: :cool: ;)
Search function JONG (actually, I used the secret google search)
http://www.tetongravity.com/forums/s...ad.php?t=37978
Quote:
Originally Posted by Joey Bag O' Donuts
MAS has a ski/snowboard specific Level I course. It's great because you utilize the help of the lifts at Bear Valley in order to get more looks at terrain both in and out of bounds.
The only thing that's on my radar is ACL surgery, man. No Avy 1 for me this year. That said, I'd decided on SMC before I fucked myself up, mostly because the guy I talked to there seemed cool.Quote:
Originally Posted by BigKuba
Thought for those considering a February session: given that you will be doing some standing around outside, it might not be a terrible idea to wait until it warms up a little bit. You never know what the weather's going to be doing, but something to consider I guess.
This was going to be a fun season. Fuck, I hate myself.