Have you considered entering the backcountry toward Table Mountain or hiking up Hemispheres from the ski area? Are you considering buying a beacon and riding with a pack? Do you just want to know more about when, where and why avalanches happen?
Our first step to avalanche safety will introduce you to these topics by conveying the most important basics you need to know about backcounty decision making and safety practices as you start becoming more educated about the backcounty.
By the end of this single day session you will be able to identify avalanche terrain, learn generally why avalanches happen, read NWAC’s local Mt Baker avalanche forecast and understand some of the red flags that indicate dangerous backcountry conditions. You will also learn basics avalanche beacon techniques and the essential items to carry in the backcountry. You will also learn the basic rules, etiquette and guidelines of entering the backcountry—including an intro to safe travel, group decision-making and beacon rescue techniques.
COURSE FEATURES
- Beginning Avalanche Awareness
- Risk Management & Decision Making
- Ski Area Policies & Signage
- Avalanche Rescue: Principles & Practice
FIELD COMPONENTS
Designed for new transceiver users, the field exercises provide basic orientation to transceiver use and rescue equipment in scenarios that build rescue skills.
- Search Principles
- Transceiver Operation
- Companion Rescue
MATERIALS REQUIRED/PROVIDED
Please bring your backcountry rescue gear and outerwear appropriate for the afternoon field session. Skis/Snowboards will not be used.
A limited number of transceivers, probes and shovels are provided for student use courtesy of Backcountry Access and Ortovox. Please note on enrollment if you need use of these.
LOCATION
For winter 2020-21, all in-person sessions will be conducted outdoors in the field with masks and distancing protocols in place. Afternoon field sessions meet outside at the Heather Meadows Base Area at 11:00 am and end at 4:00 pm. Exact locations and times will be staggered to facilitate physical distancing. Information about meeting location, additional virtual sessions and e-learning will be provided after course registration.
REGISTRATION
For the winter of 2020-21 we request that all registration be completed by calling the office at 360-734-6771 to minimize traffic to our Bellingham Business Office.
- Enroll in MEC courses by calling 360-734-6771 Monday-Friday 9am-430pm
- Online enrollment is not available at this time
- On-mountain enrollment is not available at this time
2020-21 MEC Adult Release Agreement
2020-21 MEC Minor Release Agreement
MEC Intro to Avalanche Safety • Course Info |
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| SESSION | DAY | DATE |
| A | Saturday |
Jan 9 |
| B | Sunday |
Jan 10 |
| C |
Saturday |
Feb 6 |
| D | Sunday |
Feb 7 |
| Session Duration |
5 Hours • 11:00AM to 4:00PM
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| Session Cost |
$48 |
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| Class Size | min. 8 / max. 16
(4 students/1 instructor per field group) |
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