2 days
Cascade Range
3 people
Intermediate
Jan, Feb, Mar, Dec
Not specified
Today I will teach you avalanche terrain assessment and avalanche rescue drill while on a ski tour. We will make several runs of up to 300 metres. At the end of this first day you can choose either to snow camp overnight near the vehicles, or travel to a lodge hotel room.
We will start the day with an avalanche bulletin and a risk assessment meeting. You will be able to make decisions based on your own goals and outcomes. Our priority today will be touring, as well as skiiing/splitboarding. Throughout each day, we plan to ascend and descend up to 300 metres or more. We will make short stops for education in a cold environment. We will stand in the snow for up to 30 minutes at a time. Then, we will have long periods of physical movement.
Once registered, I will provide information regarding meeting times, locations and any required parking permits. If interested in carpooling, we will orchestrate a meeting place between participants.
The price also includes:
Group camping and cookware for overnight camping if desired
Group rescue equipment
Equipment
You will receive a full packing list upon registration. Contact me with specific gear questions. You will be responsible for the following:
Skis, boots, and bindings (Metal edge skis, plastic boots, and Randonee/alpine touring/downhill Telemark bindings). Cross-country skis will not work for backcountry tours.
Splitboard with adjustable bindings that move into “tour” mode efficiently (Soft boots are ok, and hard boots are preferred).
Personal avalanche safety gear: beacon, probe, and shovel.
Personal layers
If you need any gear, I offer full service rentals.
We will meet about 6.30 am on the first day. We plan to be back home by 9 pm on the second day.
Please note that chains for your vehicle will be required.
Mick has traveled the world over in search of the perfect mountain experience. After working for years under other companies’ ethos and philosophies, nothing quite fit with his personal convictions and passions. In 2006 he set out on his own to make his vision of the holistic mountain experience a reality for anyone who shared his passion for the outdoors.
Having traveled all over the U.S. as the son of a railroad employee, Mick is accustomed to movement and new views. Mexico, Canada, Thailand, Taiwan, Europe, South America, Tanzania are some of the places and cultures that have shaped and influenced Mick.
Currently, Mick resides in Seattle, WA managing Kaf Adventures and continuing to hold the vision of this ever evolving company. He works tirelessly to continue to provide world-class experiences that provide knowledge and a greater perspective of the great outdoors.
Mick’s true passion is education. He has found a unique passion for educating aspiring instructors and guides in the U.S. You will find him outside helping new leaders gain confidence in their ability to make decisions in complex environments.
When he is not in the field (where he spends over 100 days a year) you can find him creating electronic music and making people dance. Mick has a habit of making those around him smile, and you might just wonder when he sleeps!
Mick is an American Mountain Guide Association certified Rock and Alpine Guide, SPI Program Provider, AMGA Instructor Team Member, LNT Master trainer, a Wilderness First Responder, a certified Level 3 AIARE avalanche graduate, an instructor for the American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education, and speaks Spanish and a little Swahili.
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