Avalanche Skills Training Programs for Safe Mountain Endeavours

The number of skiers, snowboarders, climbers and snowmobile riders venturing into the mountains are increasing every year. Unfortunately, every winter some accidents take place in the avalanches. The Canadian Avalanche Centre (CAC), which is Canada’s National Public Safety Organization, believes that Avalanche skills training programs are an essential first step to safe backcountry use in the winter. The CAC develops nationally recognized avalanche course standards and provides the instructional materials to independent instructors who in turn deliver Avalanche Skills Training (AST) programs to outdoor enthusiasts. The Avalanche courses are divided into two levels – AST Level 1 and AST Level 2.

Avalanche Skills Training (AST) Level 1

Avalanche Skills Training Level 1 course covers the fundamentals of backcountry avalanche awareness and companion rescue. The course provides the knowledge required for using appropriate travel techniques in avalanche terrain, carrying out companion rescue, identifying the avalanche terrain and forming the base for further avalanche training. A minimum of 7 hours classroom teaching and 1 day field training are required.

Avalanche Skills Training (AST) Level 2

Avalanche Skills Training Level 2 course provide a framework for intermediate level decision-making based on the most advanced knowledge available. The objectives of the course are: proficient companion rescue techniques, travel techniques in the avalanche terrain appropriate to the avalanche conditions, route finding to take advantages of nuances in the terrain and familiarity with the Avalanche Danger Ratings verification techniques for personal use on a local scale.  A minimum of 9.5 hours classroom teaching and 3 days field training are required.

The Avalanche skills training are an essential first step for safe Avalanche endeavors.  

Points to Consider for Beginner Rock Climbing Enthusiasts

People who want thrill and excitement don't want to sit at home. They would put on their trekking shoes and venture in the wild to get a feel of nature. In addition to trekking, you can also try out rock climbing and mountaineering. People who have never tried these outdoor activities before may be a bit skeptical about the strenuous activity. In fact, there is not much of strength needed for these activities. All you need is a bit of endurance, will and perfect guidance. There are age limits that are well defined by the rock climbing training institutes. So, there is no chance of any problems at all.

If you are suffering from any health related problems such as heart attacks or asthma, then you will have to consult your doctor before you start with the rock climbing training. There are several techniques and procedures that you will have to be trained on before you actually start to do the rock climbing. There are indoor training centres that will give you an opportunity to practice this adventure sport before you actually venture in the open.

There is a lot of thrill and excitement when you try to climb small rocks in the beginning. Most beginner rock climbing courses are very easy and you will get the best trainers to give you perfect guidance. When you try to climb small verticals for the first time, you may feel a bit afraid of the height. When you practice rock climbing for a few days, you will gain the confidence to climb higher heights.

If you are staying in Canada, you will find many rock climbing Canada services that are offering several courses for beginners, intermediates and even experts. If you are a beginner, then you will need to gain some physical fitness before you start the preliminary training. There are many beginners who are afraid of heights. This is quite normal and you don't need to be worried about it if you have just started to learn. If you have done previous indoor climbing, then it will be very helpful during the mountaineering training.

There are many climbing camps that you can join even if you are not totally familiar with the climbing basics. There is lot of fun and thrill when you go for the climbing camps to some of the most popular trekking or mountaineering destinations. When you get an opportunity to join a guided rock climbing session, then you should not miss out on that opportunity. There are many things that you can learn when you have proper guidance when you are climbing.  

There are some very good one-day guided rock climbing tours that will give you total rock climbing experience. There are some prerequisites that you will have to take care off before you enroll for the single day rock climbing adventures. You will start off probably at 8 in the morning and you will wind up by 5 in the evening. There may be an age limit set by the organizers, which needs to be checked during enrollment.