Avalanche
Training Day
2024
Lake
District based avalanche awareness
courses 
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Course
overview
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Can
you ever put a price on safety? No you can't,
but these courses are run at a fixed low price
to minimise the risks of people putting off
getting these key safety skills. The courses
take place in the Lake District. They are
a mixture of classroom sessions, and outside
practical sessions, to teach you as much as
possible. Many use these courses as pre-season
training. |
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You
are taught the use of avalanche transceivers,
shovels, and probes. You also focus on avalanche
prediction, how to construct snow pits and
to do Rutschblock tests to assess a snowpack. |
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We
can loan avalanche transceivers, snow shovels
and probes for the day, but if you have your
own you are recommended to bring them to learn
how to use them better. We only schedule the
courses when there is normally snow on the
fells, but can run the courses without snow
anyway. |
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The days are led by qualified Guides or International
Mountain Leaders, who are part of our regular
Alpine guiding team. Due to the huge instructional
element, we ensure that the leader is British
so that they can explain all the essential
safety information really informatively. |
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On
demand: Scheduled
dates are guaranteed to go ahead,
and is a total price for private guiding for
1-4 people. For larger groups, or for extra
dates, please contact us to check availability. |
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Dates:
these
are listed in the column on the right, and
they show the live availability from our secure
online booking system. When you book online,
you receive immediate confirmation, your Course
Information Booklet, course specific kit list
and invoice. |
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Course
Itinerary
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Key
learning points
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In
the morning at
09:30 you meet
up with your instructor who will be an expert
in backcountry and snow safety. They talk
through the plans for the day, and the latest
conditions. Then it's time for a route safety
plan, and sorting out any safety kit that
is needed. |
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There
is a great choice of locations to operate
these courses, depending on the amount (or
even a lack) of snow in the Lake District.
We can always find a suitable and safe location
to react to the avalanche forecast. |
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The
day is conducted in the mountains where
you can study the snow pack safely, and
a classroom session with
a presentation about avalanche awareness.
The course is of equal use to winter walkers
/ climbers, as it is to skiers or boarders. |
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This
course should give you a greater level of
autonomy for your off piste days or winter
walking. If you would like to read a bit about
avalanche avoidance skills before your course,
read this article written by one of our instructors:
click
here to view article. |
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The
syllabus of the course goes into great detail,
in terms of route choice, avalanche safety
and crystal analysis. Some of the key learning
points for the day are detailed on the right. |
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ITINERARY
NOTES: Where possible we follow itineraries.
Mountain adventures are weather and conditions
dependant, so occasionally we are forced to
alter the plans. If this is the case, suitable
alternatives are offered. Please use this
outline itinerary as a guide to the types
of route / activity that you will attempt. |
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Evolution of the snow
pack |
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Avalanche
transceiver searches |
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Rutschblock
stability tests |
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Transceiver
detection fields |
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Trip
planning and preparation |
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Avalanche
form / release patterns |
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Different
types of avalanches |
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Crystal
metamorphasis |
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Slab
formation and layering |
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Victim
recovery methods |
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Travel
techniques on snowpacks |
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Assessing
different snow profiles |
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Decision
making processes |
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Weather
& climatic influences |
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Identifying
islands of safety |
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| Course
Prices |
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Standard
course
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1
full day guiding, 1:4 max ratio
1 day holiday in total, usually Fridays |
£180 |
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Live
availability
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Click
on the planner logo to the right to
see the real time live course availability
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Secure
online booking system |
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Course Inclusions: 1) IFMGA Mountain Guide
or UIMLA International Mountain Leader for 1 day, 2) Resort
course hosts for logistics & briefings, 3) Pre course
information booklet, 4) Equipment discount voucher for
UK shops, 5) Loan of avalanche safety gear during the
course, if required. |
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| Exclusions:
1)
Travel to & from the national park for the course,
2) Equipment hire such as boots or waterproofs, 3) Bar
/ food bills & tips, laundry, telephone calls, 4)
Accommodation (if required). |
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| Notes:
The
loan of avalanche safety kit is included (tranceiver,
avalanche probe and shovel) if required. |
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Current course
availability
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| Location data
for this trip |
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| The meeting point for these courses is at
our office in Windermere in the Lake District National
Park. There is easy access by car, and the train station
is just 150m from the office door. From here there are
a huge variety of mountain terrain to opt for, so we can
cater for all weather and conditions. We genuinely believe
that the Lake District is second to none with the quality
and quantity of mountain training opportunities. |
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| Why choose our
trips? |
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The photo above
sums it up. All our guiding team for this trip are
locally based, and the Lake District is their home.
They know the mountains like the back of their hand. |
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Our office
base in Windermere is essential for organising local
pre trip logistics and backup support whilst we
are out in the hills. You're looked after on and
off the hill. |
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If you still
have any queries, give us a call on 01539 44 22
17. |
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