This weekend I did the Avalanche Safety Training Level 1 course. I used snowshoes instead of skis so I wouldn't look like such a novice in a group of strangers. But holy - I am sore in the strangest places today! You have to walk so wide with snowshoes on, I felt like a cowboy all day. And my hands are super sore; it appears that in steep terrain I have a death-grip on my ski poles. However, all the soreness aside, I am very pleased that I can now identify suspicious terrain and know how to find someone using/wearing an avalanche transceiver (beacon). I bought my camera along but it was snowing pretty hard all day and was effectively white-out conditions for most of the day. In a few cases the instructor just had to describe to us what type of terrain we would be seeing if we could see more than 100 feet ahead. It was strange knowing that there was a large rock face and bowl very nearby but not be able to see it at all...
Avalanche beacons are pretty cool but expensive. I'll be renting one if I do any back country travel this season, but if anyone needs birthday or Christmas ideas for next year, keep it in mind :)
Next weekend I'm planning on heading to Fernie. It's the provincial Family Day next Monday, so the ski hill will be packed, but I'll brave it. And my friend who we will be staying with is eager to kick my butt on the hill. The learning curve just never stops...
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