The Backcountry Travel class focuses on safe backcountry travel. The class is divided into groups of snowshoers; snowboarders; and skiers, both Alpine Touring (AT) & telemark. The participants are then further divided up by ability. The class is limited to 25 students.

Each touring section will be 5 students with 2 instructors. The first third of the course focuses entirely on Basic Avalanche Avoidance and Assessment and involves little time sliding about. These skills are then applied on two backcountry tours (one day-trip and one overnight). While out touring, students will learn about snow stability analysis, route selection, avalanche rescue techniques, winter navigation and camping, how to ski varied snow conditions, look good and have fun.

2010 Backcountry Class

Feel free to contact the co-chairs at WAC-BC-CoChairs@yahoogroups.com if you have questions about the class.

Applications

Click here to sign-up for the Backcountry Travel Class! All applications postmarked no later than January 31st will be considered. Applicants will be contacted by February 8th as to whether they have been accepted or are on the waiting list for the class. 25 Students will be chosen from all the applications received with a postmark of 1/31/2010 or earlier. The cost of the course is $120.

The Class is available to skiers, both Alpine Touring (AT) and Telemark; Snowshoers; and Snowboarders using splitboards.

Skiers & snowboarders should be at least of intermediate ability. This means the ability to stop, turn, and get down blue runs in a reasonable amount of time.

2010 Class Schedule

• Tuesday, February 16th, 7-9 PM - Avalanche Lecture.
• Saturday - Sunday, February 20th – 21st, Guye Cabin: Avalanche Weekend.
• Tuesday, February 23rd, 7-9 PM - Routefinding Lecture.
• Saturday, February 27th, All-Day Field Trip, Location TBD: Field Work.
• Tuesday, March 2nd, 7-9 PM - Snow Camping Lecture.
• Saturday Morning - Sunday Night, March 6th - 7th, Location TBD: Field Work & Snowcamping.

Note: All Tuesday evening classes are held at Prospect Church on Capitol Hill in Seattle.

Admittance

You must be a member of the WAC to take this class and you can easily sign up for membership at the same time you apply for the class. Please note that WAC membership is not refundable; you will not be charged the $120 class fee if you do not get in to the class or if the course is cancelled due to lack of snow, but we cannot offer refunds on your WAC membership dues. Admittance is based on a lottery of reviewed applications and is not first come-first served. Applicants turned away from previous classes or who have volunteered as instructors in other WAC courses are given preference.

Travel Type

You can choose to Telemark or AT ski, use a split snowboard or snowshoe. Lightweight nordic equipment (such as touring skis and leather boots) is not appropriate for the class.

Trip Gear List

The gear required for the course is listed here.

A few local gear shops rent Telemark and AT ski gear, as well as avalanche beacons. The WAC has a few split boards for rent, so please note on your application if you are interested in using one for the course.

Application

Click here to sign-up for the Backcountry Travel Class!

Instructors

Want to improve your backcountry skills while teaching and having fun? Please help teach the class!

If you have at least a Level 1 Avalanche certification and a few years experience in the backcountry please contact the co-chairs at WAC-BC-CoChairs@yahoogroups.com to participate. Thanks for your help!