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I'm taking the level one course this weekend with Chauvin Guides International up at Mt. Washington. Aside from the potentially brutal weather, I was just wondering what to expect- if anyone has taken the course there and has words of wisdom that'd be great.
i just got home from night #1 of my level 1 avie course and our instructor said of any place he's been from alaska through the lower 48, and probly including the rest of the world...the most brutal cold he's encountered in a January was up on Mt Washington. :D which makes sense, as anyone who's hiked up there and done their homework knows how most storms tracks right across the peak.
sorry, i know that doesnt help. Though i can tell you we have another night of class, some more videos on sat. morning, pit digging, beacon searches, and i think sunday will see more route finding and the like.
but maybe someone who's actually finished with the course can advise.
Be ready to stand around in the cold for many hours. From my experience avi I just made me scared to ski stuff. It teaches the "red flags" and if you see these don't go. Avi II goes more into weighing data and making more complex decisions, the decisions you will have to make when actually skiing. Avi I is a good place to start, but I found the course very basic. I feel that the only way to become more knowledgeable is spending a lot of time in avi terrain with others who you trust and get first hand experience seeing what the snow does. The coolest part of my course was watching a bunch of TGR raw footage of the pros skiing out of slides.
I’m currently retaking Level I; it is basic, but most people in the class have little, if any, backcountry skiing experience. I'm finding the class interesting, but next year I'm taking Level II.
When i took my avi class on mt. wash I found that An extra base layer would have been a great addition in the pack to throw on after hikeing up to replace the drenched one i had on to be more comfortable for all the standing. Just extra cloths overall would have been nice. Most important ask a ton of questions, have fun and make friends. I miss vermont but I don't miss the weather. Im going for my second avi one class in SLC and can't wait.
a good post worth reading
http://tetongravity.com/forums/showthread.php?t=43656
happy and safe gnar riding
bumpers against bumper boat bump