PDX Splitters unite!

nwboarder82 · **Posted:** Fri Dec 09, 2011 1:34 pm

My class was classroom in the morning and field work in the afternoon. First day in the field consisted of terrain analysis, second day was snow pit analysis, and the last day was buddy rescue. I would ask to see what else you get out of the 3rd day beside a certificate before you shell out a $100.

christoph benells · **Posted:** Fri Dec 09, 2011 4:25 pm

just wanted to let everyone to know Next Adventure now has a 158 venure helix with spark blazes and g3 skins for rent. all brand new.

only 40$ for the day.

Thanks Bcrider and sorry all for the shameless plug.

radam · **Posted:** Sat Dec 10, 2011 1:30 am

nwboarder82 wrote:

Mushi wrote:

Has anyone done the MountainSavvy Level 1 class? I'm signed up for the January 21-22 session. Not sure if anyone else is signed up for that particular session. I'm assuming some folks here have gone through the program too.

Is there anything to do to help make the most of my time in the class? I have the Bruce Tremper book and have read it pretty thoroughly. Other than that, just some basic knowledge gained from touring with some buddies who have taken the class.

Finally, is the third day for $100 worth it? I guess you get an additional certification, which, seems like I might as well go ahead and do it, plus get an extra day playing in the snow.

Ceritification is overrated. I paid $170 for a 3 day avy course at Mt Baker, which was taught by the same guy who does avalanche control for the resorts for over 7 years. He was saying althought you can gain some great knowledge from the cert classes, you are pretty much covering the cost for each aai certified instructor involved in the course. Certification is only good if you plan on getting into the business such as guide service. I received just as good of a course as the folks who shell out over $300. I'm not too familiar with the course you are planning to take, but I know the folks at Mt bakers had a wealth of knowledge and were willing to spend time explaining snow pits, terrain analysis, and rescue scenarios.

I took a 'Level 1' from Mountain Savvy/ Glenn Kessler in 2006 as a 2 day course in Bend. At the time it was the only course offered in Oregon period. An extra day was not an option at that time. There was really cold temps at the time so we got to see some great crystal growth. Also the books 'Snow Sense' ($10 on Amazon) and also Backcountry Awareness by Bruce Jamieson were recommended at an Avy Safety course I audited at UO last winter as a refresher. The Bruce Jamieson book came with the Mountain Savvy course at the time. The best thing you can do is read the books ahead and you'll not be as lost in the course since it covers a lot of ground in the one class day. The refresher course I took had 2.5 field days with a lot of practice and rescue scenarios which helps drill the information home.

One thing I will note is there is some really weird 'ethical' stuff about Mountain Savvy/ Glenn Kessler I found when researching the class a bit before signing up. It appears to still be posted on an unmaintained website if you are interested... http://www.mountain-savvy.com/ Not sure if it was true or just some type of personal issue from someone in the mountaineering community. I believe there was a rebuff by others on Cascade Climbers.

There are a number of other courses in Oregon also I found for a friend earlier this year:
http://oregonskiguides.com/avalanche-ed ... he-course/
http://www.timberlinemtguides.com/Avala ... urses.aspx
http://oravalanche.org/

The Canadian courses are tops also. Great reason to take a winter vacation to the north...
http://www.avalanche.ca/cac/training/overview

Cheers.

acmcmurray · **Posted:** Thu Dec 15, 2011 1:23 pm

Shit's pretty greasy up on Meadows right meow. Anyone heading out this weekend: Clark? Newton, etc.?

Jefe009 · **Posted:** Thu Dec 15, 2011 2:33 pm

^^^

...if there was 6-8 new inches I'd hit it, but with the 3-4 they got I don't think it's gonna be worth it to go this weekend after it sits for a few days. My friend who was up at Meadows today said it's pretty meh and they left early.

I see snow in the extended forecast for next week, and it looks more substantial... let us know if you go this weekend tho.

christoph benells · **Posted:** Thu Dec 15, 2011 2:59 pm

i went to zig zag canyon yesterday under mississippi head and found semi soft and fun snow conditions.

there is great terrain over there by the way and it is incredibly close to t-line.

Mushi · **Joined:** Thu Oct 13, 2011 10:05 am **Posts:** 21

radam wrote:

I took a 'Level 1' from Mountain Savvy/ Glenn Kessler in 2006 as a 2 day course in Bend. At the time it was the only course offered in Oregon period. An extra day was not an option at that time. There was really cold temps at the time so we got to see some great crystal growth. Also the books 'Snow Sense' ($10 on Amazon) and also Backcountry Awareness by Bruce Jamieson were recommended at an Avy Safety course I audited at UO last winter as a refresher. The Bruce Jamieson book came with the Mountain Savvy course at the time. The best thing you can do is read the books ahead and you'll not be as lost in the course since it covers a lot of ground in the one class day. The refresher course I took had 2.5 field days with a lot of practice and rescue scenarios which helps drill the information home.

One thing I will note is there is some really weird 'ethical' stuff about Mountain Savvy/ Glenn Kessler I found when researching the class a bit before signing up. It appears to still be posted on an unmaintained website if you are interested... http://www.mountain-savvy.com/ Not sure if it was true or just some type of personal issue from someone in the mountaineering community. I believe there was a rebuff by others on Cascade Climbers.

There are a number of other courses in Oregon also I found for a friend earlier this year:
http://oregonskiguides.com/avalanche-ed ... he-course/
http://www.timberlinemtguides.com/Avala ... urses.aspx
http://oravalanche.org/

The Canadian courses are tops also. Great reason to take a winter vacation to the north...
http://www.avalanche.ca/cac/training/overview

Cheers.

Thanks everyone for the feedback! I was chatting with a ski patroller on the lift the other day - he mentioned going up to Washington to do a yurt type trip where it's practically a 3 day guided trip with class at night. Sounded like a blast, but a bit more of a time commitment and resources to make happen.

I remember reading that webpage about complaints - I remember that it came across as the author having a grudge and not really based in reality. I seem to recall it looking like an organization, but upon closer inspection really it was one guy who would just post a bunch of random garbage.

Still, I'll keep an eye out and give a review when the class rolls around in January.

imitationfunk · **Posted:** Thu Dec 22, 2011 1:54 pm

Anybody planning on getting out this holiday weekend? I know it's bare up there but I'm anxious to get out! So if anybody wants to roll out Friday thru Monday please get in touch. Thanks.

Mark

Jefe009 · **Posted:** Thu Dec 22, 2011 3:55 pm

I'm thinking about heading up next Wednesday if the forecast holds... Anyone down for some midweek action if there's new snow?

christoph benells · **Posted:** Fri Dec 23, 2011 10:16 pm

jefe i am off wednesday dude!

Jefe009 · **Posted:** Sat Dec 24, 2011 5:47 pm

christoph benells wrote:

jefe i am off wednesday dude!

Nice Chris, actually something came up on Wednesday can you do Tuesday or Thursday?

chronicracing · **Posted:** Sat Dec 24, 2011 6:28 pm

I'm down for Tuesday.

christoph benells · **Posted:** Sat Dec 24, 2011 6:43 pm

i am also down for thursday

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