Nine club members had a great time and learned lots in an AIARE I (Avy I) course.  The club commissioned Pro Guiding of North Bend for the class.

We had two evening classroom sessions - facilities graciously provided by Merrill Design - where we did our book learning. Then on the weekend of January 28-29, we headed for the hills of Snoqualmie Pass to put our knowledge to work.

On Day 1 it was up the Source Lake basin, which gave us a great chance to evaluate avalanche terrain in a popular backcountry destination. We skiied and snowshoed up to the Snow Lake divide at 4500', where we used our transceivers to rescue many a buried backpack. We did well, excavating all within the requisite 15 minutes that enables a high survival rate.

Day 2 took us to Hyak, as it turns out in the torrential rain, where we made snow pits to analyze the complex snowfall over the last few weeks. We took away the message that, while you can look at many details, it is the big picture you want to develop. It includes the NWAC forecast, the weather, the terrain, the snowpack, and the folks you are traveling with.

I think we all agreed we found the lessons valuable in making winter backcountry travel fun and safer. And we had some nice bonuses on our outings - beautiful scenery in the Source Lake basin and a great gear check while weathering the downpour at Hyak!

The course grads are:
Tomas M.
Robert M.
Philip S.
Lynne M.
Peter D.
Brandon H.
Dan S.
Celese S.
Patrick S.

Thanks to all for participating - it's great to have outing buds that are not only enjoyable but well-trained!

We will be heading out for an overnight trip where tents are not needed. We will practice building T-type snow caves or A-frame shelters and then to make it more fun we will sleep in what we build.  No experience needed but club membership is required.

The clinic will be Saturday Feb 25Th and Sunday Feb 26Th.

To sign up, email us at bwcc_information "at" bushwhackerclimbingclub.org.

Chris K

This past Thursday, the 19th was the official BWCC ski night for January.

Just in time for making some turns, Mother Nature slammed us with a couple feet of new snow on the hill. We braved the elements and were duly rewarded with piles and piles of fresh pow! We cranked tele-turns through the mildly heavy, but heavenly snow until our legs gave out, then caught up over beers back at Whiskey Pete's.

Thanks to those who made it, and almost made it!

Keep an eye on your email for the BWCC February Ski Night. - We're gonna go for it one more time!

Cheers,
-Philip

The snow is finally here, Fred R and I will be leading a ski tour on Saturday Jan 28th up at Stevens pass area.  The plan is to head up to Skyline Lake and drop off into the back country for a few laps but if conditions change the route might also.

Everyone on the trip will need a transceiver, probes, a shovel, skis and skins.

If you are interested let me know.

Chris K

Greetings Bushwhackers,
We're organizing an Avy 1 course that will be taught by a local well known guiding outfit in North Bend. The course will consist of 2 classroom evenings, then 2 days on the snow, most likely at Alpental. The snow travel can be done either on skis or snowshoes. You will be introduced to topics such as mountain weather, different snow packs, tour planning, hazard recognition and evaluation, snow pack analysis, transceiver search and more.

You will need a transceiver, probe and snow shovel. Often these items can be borrowed within the club, if you don't already have them. We're targeting Jan 28-29 for the snow session. 

Though there's a number of avalanche training courses out there, we know this one is well done, and you have the opportunity to have a private class with your outing buddies. Get in touch as soon as possible if you're interested, and we'll pin down the reservation.
 
In hopes of great snow!
Patrick S,
BWCC Board Member