Avalanche 2013 Succcess

We did a heck of a job this weekend assembling a stellar avalanche program.

Hat tips to Thijs, JK, Mike Nealon, Bill Keegan, Bill Lowell, Joe McPhearson, Jim Quinley, student/patroller Wade, Dave Kelly (AV support) and the irrepressible Larry Crawford (the most respected Reporting Party in the NSP-land) for all their incredible work. You had to see the avalanche scenario field to believe it-no photo will be able to capture the amount of work to complete the mock-rescue.

We had ten students with 3 paid (maybe 5) converts to our patrol.

The snow, though well consolidated (ECTN 30), Rutchscblock 7, did have some layers to observe. The quick tests were less interesting, but yielded good practice. Glad we did not have to patrol, as the snow surface was bomber crust (4 deg F gradient).

We were able to keep the audience from sleeping through 9.5 hours of lecture-in itself an amazing feat. Mike Nealon did a very nice job on the Tunnel Creek case study. JK worked his ICS magic. Thijs lead the beacon component. And Bill/Joe led in the probe techniques. Wade conducted recon the week before and was an excellent Accident Site Commander. Bill Lowell lent his able hand in the scenario. Dave overcame my technical challenges with google drive and youtube downloads to get a stable of videos prepared. The most compelling was this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B0RWLxOFGLY

Weather was mixed, but actually, just right if I was Goldilocks, with a bit of precipitation, sun and chill.

Thanks to everyone who participated. 

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