Anthony Lakes Backcountry and AVI L1 course 12/17-18/2011

Last weekend was a hoot! What it lacked in snow it was more than compensated by great camaraderie.

Due to the low snow conditions at Boise, the 705 Backcountry Ski Patrol first AVI L1course for the 2011-2012 was conducted at Anthony Lakes Ski Resort Backcountry. We are grateful to the Anthony Lakes Mountain Management and its Local Ski Patrol for their enthusiastic support. Also, we will be negligent by not extending our thanks to the North Powder Cafe for allowing us to have AVI instructors morning meeting at 6AM, and for Cheryl that keep renting to us the fabulous accommodations at the Parker Cabin.

Brad leading the field transceiver talk Saturday 8 AM

As usual, the 705 BSP counts with several National Ski Patrol Avalanche Instructors and the instructor to student ratio was kept well below our preferred 1:4 ratio. All instructores are volunteers, and are exposed to the rigorous development program driven by John Taggart, the Eastern Oregon and Southwestern Idaho NSP Avalanche Advisor. In total we had one instructor of record (Chago), two other lead instructors, two assistant instructors. The 705 BSP AVI courses also include an outdoor medicine specialist (OEC and WFR Educator) to make certain that AVI victims medical care is appropriately covered during the course.

Anthony Lakes Lift

After spending the early hour of the morning at the base of the ski resort covering Avalanche and rescue skills we took the lift to the top of the resort, and left the ski boundaries to tour Poster Ridge. We were delighted by the clear skies, sunny, and calm wind ... we could spot Mount Hood as well as Mount Adams ... Great Views.

Absolutely FANTASTIC views! 

Some have a lot MORE fun than others! 

Going up!

After touring along the south west ridge of Lookout Peak we started the snow pit work with the students.

Kevin - Anthony Lakes Ski Patrol Director is leading a chat with the students after the morning snow-pit work concluded

It was notable to observe the preparedness of some of the students, with their stove at hand and preparing their warm lunch!

Lunch time! 

Hard to beat ... time in the outdoors!

 At the end of the day we congregated at the local and famous Baker City Barley Brown's brewery. It was perfect, good food and new friends all sharing the highlights of the day.

  

The next day started with the 8 AM tour planing session.

Anthony Lakes Lodge

Promptly before 9 AM we started the tour over to Angel Basin.

The day started overcast, and by mid-day snow was precipitating. There was a total of 2-3 cms of new snow by the end of Sunday that rested in many places above the surface hoar we observed Saturday.

Surface Hoar

Avi Students working in their snowpits while it started to snow.

The complex and organized rescue exercise scheduled for the afternoon was preceded by warm lunch in front of a fire in top of the snow - an important skill for backcountry ski tourers.

Once back at the ski resort, and as darkness and snow fall closed the day, we meet with the AVI L1 students to wrap the day. We reviewed the outcomes of the course and completed the day with a demonstration of Snow Pulse air bag.

Later in the week I will post a report about the snowpack, weather and avalanche observations for Anthony Lakes during the weekend of December 17th and 18th for those wanting to stay updated on the snowpack development in that area.

As a final note I want to express my deepest gratitude to all of the individuals and organizations that support the 705 BSP with their personal time and spirit of volunteerism so that we continue to provide Avalanche Level 1 courses to the public at no cost. These commitment to make the backcountry safe and accesible to the public is a pay it forward endeavor, and we are certain that the NEW graduates from this AVI L1 course will continue to spread the gospel of safe winter travel and pass forward their new skills.