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Avalanche Awareness Courses
Avalanche Awareness Course
Avalanche Awareness courses for skiers, snowboarders and climbers provide a first step to gaining an appreciation of the avalanche phenomenon and what is needed to make decisions about personal safety when travelling in avalanche terrain. It is a prerequisite to the Backcountry Avalanche course offered later in the year.
The course focuses on avoiding the need for avalanche related rescue, but also dedicates time to learning the technical skills required for rescuing a companion or small party.
Content
The Avalanche Awareness course involves both a lecture and a field day. The course covers:
- Mountain weather
- Identification of avalanche terrain
- Basic route finding and decision making
- Companion rescue
- Safety equipment (including use of transceivers).
Lecture
A lecture is held in the evening prior to the field day and lasts around two and a half hours. Attendance is a prerequisite for the field day and attendees are encouraged to bring a notepad.
Field day
The field day focuses on practical aspects and lasts all day. A "Certificate of Attendance" is issued at the end of the day.
Instructors
All instructors are qualified avalanche professionals who have been vetted and registered by MSC. Most work in the mountain environment as guides or ski patrollers and have valuable and extensive experience to share with course participants.
Safety
MSC courses are operated under specific operational procedures and safety plans. All participants are required to follow instructions to ensure safe practices are maintained.
What to bring
- Warm waterproof clothing
- Transceiver (457 kHz only)*
- Shovel (metal preferred)*
- Collapsible probe (180cm minimum)*
Transceiver, shovel and probe can be hired for $10 for the duration of the course. Please indicate on booking form if you wish to hire this equipment.
Course dates
| Date | Location |
|---|---|
| 21/22 July | Turoa |
| 28/29 July | Whakapapa |
| 5/6 August | Turoa |
| 27/28 August | Whakapapa |
| 10/11 September | Turoa |
| 17/18 September | Whakapapa |
Course fee
$75pp
Further info and registration
For further information on the Avalanche Awareness courses please contact bcguide@mtruapehu.com.
To register please print, fill out and fax the relevant form below:
 | Whakapapa Avalanche Awarenes Course Registration Adobe Acrobat Document: 44.1 KB, 6 seconds @ 56kbps |
| Turoa Avalanche Awareness Course Registration Adobe Acrobat Document: 40.3 KB, 6 seconds @ 56kbps |
