Description

We’re basically going to go over how we make
(what we consider to be) good group decisions
in avalanche terrain when we set out for a day
trip of back country skiing. It starts with
pre-trip planning and making a set of goals
that suit the group’s ability level and the
hazards that are present that day and that are
flexible in case we make new observations in
the field.

But do we know what the group’s ability level
is like? Do we know what hazards we are going
to face? I certainly don’t at this point.

We’ll start with meeting in the Zephyr Cafe in
Squamish to have breakfast, meet eachother,
discuss group goals and talk about some
specific trip plans.

A few of the things we are going to sort out
with the trip plan in the morning is 1) Discuss
what hazards we are expecting to encounter and
how to avoid them or mitigate them 2) Identify
decision making points along our route 3) Pick
out goals or runs for the day that suit the
conditions and group 4) Conclude a schedule for
the day.

Once we get on our skis, we’re going to
practice conservative group management and
hopefully achieve our trip goals (presumably of
scoring sweet pow-pow).

I hope we end up doing a day trip where my trip
partner and I can share some of the ways we’ve
found fun skiing while keeping out of trouble
over the years.

Before signing up, Please have the full day
free and be comfortable skiing in back country
terrain 🙂 It will throw a wrench in the plan
here if someone tells me over breakfast they
have to be back in Vancouver for lunch. It will
also be really tough to work with if someone
can’t ski back country terrain. That being
said, you don’t need to have AST1 to join and
learn.