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CAPOW - AVY PRO LEVEL 1

AVALANCHEPROCESS

3250 Airpor t Way, Revelstoke

Level 1

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COVID-19 is kind of like that moment where you throw yourself off a cliff and you aren’t totally sure of

the landing. You thought about it, planned it, scoped it. Maybe skied up to it a few times. In our minds,

we see that squeaky clean, squishy soft landing that results in high-fives and celebratory (socially-dis-

tanced) beers. We all know though, that kind of landing might require some

mid-air adjustments.

We won’t nail the jump every time. We will likely have to make some changes during the season to keep

staff and guests safe. There will be challenges, but lot’s of fun too, and we promise to communicative,

adaptive and supportive. We ask the same of our guests. Let’s have a great time and do so in a respectful

way. GOOD CLEAN FUN!

Our COVID-19 guidelines are based on recommendations from the Association of Canadian Mountain

Guides’ Covid-19 Recommended Best Practices, The Backcountry Lodge Association of BC and Worksafe

BC Covid-19 Management guidance.

Pre-Ride, Re-Ride, Free-Ride...

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Pre-Ride, Re-Ride, Free-Ride...

the process

Our objective for this course is to maximize your learning. To accomplish this goal, we will mirror the

structure of an operational day that manages avalanche risk (i.e. ski guiding, ski patrol, or transportation cor-

ridor control). This approach will help you develop a framework for decision-making in challenging and complex

avalanche terrain.

Our day will start with a

morning meeting that focuses

on data collection and weather

forecast analysis from a variety of

different sources. Using this infor-

mation, we will apply a systematic

approach to hazard forecasting,

and will establish a skiing objective

as a group based on conditions.

The days in the field will consist

of travelling through terrain while

collecting and recording pertinent

observations that we will apply to

our ongoing Hazard Assessment (Is

it good to go?). We will divide the

days into leads so that everyone

will have an opportunity to make

decisions and get direct feed-

back. Objectives in the mountains

need to be fluid and all decisions

throughout the day will be reached

through open communication and

group consensus.

We will have evening meetings

where we review what we saw

during the day and reflect on how

accurate our morning forecast was.

The evening meeting also allows

us time to consider our hazard

exposure for day and to share any

of our observations on information

sharing platforms.

There will be some short, after

dinner (1-2 hours), evening sessions

with a variety of topics pertaining

to decision-making in the moun-

tains.

OBJECTIVE

START FIELD DAYS EVENINGS

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DAY 1

AM Meeting

Day in the field consisting of shorter travel day with focus on advanced companion

rescue skills practice and snow profile skills

PM Session

Intro to mountain weather and snowpack

AM Meeting

Day in the field with insturctors switching leads and discussing decision points

Gathering baseline snowpack information

PM Session

8 Avalanche problems and avalanche size

AM Meeting

Day in the field with students switching leads and directing decision making

gathering baseline snowpack information

PM Session

Human factors affecting decision making

AM Meeting

Day in the field with students switching leads and directing decision making

PM Session

Case studies from insturctors

AM Meeting and check out

Day in the field with students switching leads and directing decision making

Depart from trail head for home

DAY 0VALLEY RETREAT

Check in to Valley Retreat after 4pm 3250 Airport Way, Revelstoke

6-9PM - Dinner. Sign waivers. Intro to the Avalanche PROcess... and set you up for

success for the trip.

Itinerary

Q: Where will we ski each day?A: All over! The advantage of being Revelstoke-based is we have the opportunity to travel to different variations of snowpack and mountain conditions

Q: Whats the deal with food and how many nights accomodation are included?A: 5 nights at Valley Retreat along with all meals starting with dinner the first night - breakfast, packed lunch, appies and dinner.

DAY 2

DAY 3

LAST DAY

DAY 4

● The PROcess- using a systematic framework for decision making

● Associate risk with our decisions

● Morning and evening meetings assessing hazard

● Understand the 8 avalanche problems

● Analyze avalanche terrain

● Interpret avalanche information

● Practice safe travel techniques

● Lead uphill and downhill with coaching

● Discuss human factors in decision making

● Understand Coastal, Interior, and Continental snowpack variations

● Intro to mountain weather

COURSE OUTLINE

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Valley Retreat as a base will provide

the best arena for learning. In

addition to being in the field

together. The morning and evening

sessions as a group allows for open

discussion, questions, and

establishing trust.

We’ll be using our phones quite a

bit for the whole process. From

the MIN report to the navigation

from GAIA. We expect that you’re

phone is in good working order and

charged each evening.

We plan on spending at least a

couple of days at Rogers Pass. You

will need both a National Park Pass

with a Winter Permit.

Q: Will I get my CAA Ops 1 Certificate after this?A: No. The Ops 1 course instructs on avalanche recording standards. This is a trip to focus on the process of decion making. You will leave with a higher level of decision making.

NAVIGATIONACCOMODATION ROGERS PASS

SKI CLOTHING PERSONALS

Long underwear/undershirt

Outer jacket/pants - Gore-tex style of shell,

light and has water proofing

Light down jacket/light primaloft for breaks

Thinner touring up jacket that protects from

some of the elements

Gloves - 2 sets - Thin pair for going up, thicker

for going down

Head Gear - Ball cap or headband for going

up, Toque/beanie for going down

Underwear and Ski Socks

Toiletries: toothbrush, toothpaste, floss,

soap, shampoo, conditioner

Medications, Advil (personal supply)

Towel

Bathing suit

Lounge clothes

Hut boots / slippers

Outdoor boots

DAY PACK

Day Pack (no larger than 40L and no smaller

than 20L)

Lunch Container

Water bottle/thermos (minimum of 1.5L com-

bined)

Sunglasses

Goggles

Toque

Sunscreen

Headlamp

Pocket knife/screwdriver/Leatherman - (One

tool to do it all!)

Personal first aid kit

Extra transceiver batteries

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SNOW STUDY SKIING

A “Write in the Rain” notebook

– “Level” pattern with pages made up of

little, rectangular boxes

Mechanical Pencils

Snow Saw (minimum of 30cm long blade) –

best if it cuts wood

Snow Screen

Magnifying Loop (for viewing snow grains) at

least a 10X

Skis or Snowboard

Poles

Skins

Boots

Avalanche Probe (300cm)

Shovel

Avalanche Transceiver **Modern 3 antennae

required

Helmet (recommended, don’t make us give

you a disappointed dad look)

Packing ListWhat to Bring

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HELI DROP

If we get the weather during

the trip we plan to do one

heli drop. Price for this drop

is already covered in the

camp cost.

HELI EVACCOVERAGE

Capow has a financial pool

to help cover the costs of a

heli evacuation should there

be an accident. We will not

hesitate to call a helicopter

if necessary. This coverage is

added to your bill unless you

choose to opt out.

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GROUPSAFETY

WINTER PERMIT

TRIPINSURANCE

All Guides are certified through the Associa-

tion of Canadian Mountain Guides (ACMG) or

AMGA (American System). They have extensive

training and many years of experience moving

through the mountains on snow. Guides will be

carrying safety gear for the group and will be in

charge of all safety-related items while skiing in

remote locations. There will be radios for mem-

bers in the group and often cell coverage.

Most winter travel in Glacier National Park

requires a Winter Permit. You can take a quiz

and obtain a Winter Permit for free. We want

everyone to have this to streamline our day.

PLUS you’ll have it for the season.

Follow link for Quiz

Cancellation insurance

provided through Lifestyle

Financial Services. Please

refer to CAPOW’s

cancellation and COVID

policies for more informa-

tion.

Custom Quote Here

QuestionsThe Chalet

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We can’t wait to see you.

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WAIVER

WINTER CAPOW Guiding Inc

RELEASE OF LIABILITY, WAIVER OF CLAIMS, ASSUMPTION OF RISKS AND INDEMNITY AGREEMENT

(hereinafter the “Release Agreement”) BY SIGNING THIS DOCUMENT YOU WILL WAIVE OR GIVE UP CERTAIN

LEGAL RIGHTS, INCLUDING THE RIGHT TO SUE FOR NEGLIGENCE, BREACH OF CONTRACT OR BREACH OF THE OCCUPIERS LIABILITY ACT OR CLAIM

COMPENSATION FOLLOWING AN ACCIDENT

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY ! Initial

 

Name Last

First

Middle Initial(s)

Address

Street

City Prov/State Postal/Zip Code

Email Address Telephone Home Work

Date of Birth Year Month Day Age

Trip Dates Year Month Day to

Year Month Day

 TO: CAPOW Guiding Inc and Nordic Ski & Kayak Institute ., carrying on business as Blanket Glacier

Chalet, CAPOW Guiding Inc and Nordic Ski Institute , Her Majesty the Queen in the Right of the Province of British Columbia , Blanket Glacier Chalet, Backcountry Lodges of BC Association, Selkirk Mountain Helicopters and their directors, officers, employees, guides, agents, independent contractors, subcontractors, representatives, successors, assigns and guests (all of whom are hereinafter collectively referred to as "the Releasees")

DEFINITION In this Release Agreement, the term "wilderness activities" shall include but is not limited to: alpine skiing, nordic skiing, telemark skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, hiking, touring, ski and snowboard touring, mountaineering, ski and snowboard mountaineering, rock climbing, ice climbing, expeditions, trekking, glacier travel, and all activities, services and use of facilities (including the lodge and all other buildings), either provided by or arranged by the Releasees including orientation and instructional sessions or classes, transportation, accommodation, food and beverage, water supply, and all travel by or movement around helicopters, other aircraft, snowcats, snowmobiles or other vehicles, and all other activities and services in any way connected with or related to wilderness activities.

ASSUMPTION OF RISKS – AVALANCHES, ALPINE TERRAIN, WILDERNESS TRAVEL WEATHER I am aware that participation in wilderness activities, involves many risks, dangers and hazards. Avalanches occur frequently in the terrain used for wilderness activities and may be caused by natural forces or by persons travelling through the terrain. I am aware that the Releasees may fail to predict whether the terrain is safe or whether an avalanche may occur. The terrain used for wilderness activities is uncontrolled, unmarked, not inspected, and involves many risks, dangers and hazards in addition to that of avalanche. These may include, but are not limited to: cornices; crevasses; cliffs; trees, tree wells; tree stumps; forest dead fall; creeks; rocks; rockfall; boulders; holes and depressions on or below the snow surface; variable and difficult snow conditions; hypothermia, snow immersion; slips trips and falls; effects of high altitude including pulmonary edema and cerebral edema; infectious disease contracted through viruses, bacteria, parasites, and fungi which may be transmitted through direct or indirect contact; equipment failure; encounters with domestic and wild animals; impact or collision with other persons including other guests; becoming lost or separated from one’s party or guide; negligence of other persons; and NEGLIGENCE ON THE PART OF THE RELEASEES. I UNDERSTAND THAT NEGLIGENCE INCLUDES FAILURE ON THE PART OF THE RELEASEES TO TAKE REASONABLE STEPS TO SAFEGUARD OR PROTECT ME FROM OR WARN ME OF THE RISKS, DANGERS AND HAZARDS OF WILDERNESS ACTIVITIES. Communication in the alpine terrain may be difficult, and in the event of an accident or illness, rescue, medical treatment and evacuation may not be available or may be delayed. Alpine weather conditions may be extreme and can change rapidly and without warning.

I AM AWARE OF THE RISKS, DANGERS AND HAZARDS ASSOCIATED WITH WILDERNESS ACTIVITIES AND I FREELY ACCEPT AND FULLY ASSUME ALL SUCH RISKS, DANGERS AND HAZARDS AND THE POSSIBILITY OF PERSONAL INJURY, DEATH, PROPERTY DAMAGE OR LOSS RESULTING THEREFROM. NOTICE TO SNOWBOARDERS, SNOWSHOERS AND TELEMARK SKIERS - INCREASED RISK Unlike alpine ski boot/binding systems, snowboard, snowshoe and some telemark boot/binding systems are not designed or intended to release and will not release under normal circumstances, thus increasing the risk of not surviving an avalanche.

NON-SCHEDULED OR EMERGENCY EVACUATION, RESCUE OR FIRST AID

I acknowledge and agree that all expenses associated with non-scheduled or emergency evacuation, rescue or first aid will be my responsibility and will not be covered by the Releasees.

5321852/ROBERT KENNEDY/FARRIS/0520  

**This is just for you to review and understand. We’ll have a fresh copy for you to sign in preson

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WINTER Page 2 OF 2

RELEASE OF LIABILITY, WAIVER OF CLAIMS,

ASSUMPTION OF RISKS AND INDEMNITY AGREEMENT BY SIGNING THIS DOCUMENT YOU WILL WAIVE OR GIVE UP CERTAIN LEGAL

RIGHTS, INCLUDING THE RIGHT TO SUE FOR NEGLIGENCE, BREACH OF CONTRACT OR BREACH OF THE OCCUPIERS LIABILITY ACT OR CLAIM

COMPENSATION FOLLOWING AN ACCIDENT PLEASE READ CAREFULLY !

Initial

RELEASE OF LIABILITY, WAIVER OF CLAIMS AND INDEMNITY AGREEMENT In consideration of the Releasees allowing me to participate in wilderness activities as defined in this Release Agreement, and for other good and valuable consideration, I hereby agree as follows:

1. TO WAIVE ANY AND ALL CLAIMS that I have or may in the future have against the Releasees and TO

RELEASE THE RELEASEES from any and all liability for any loss, damage, expense or injury including death that I may suffer, or that my next of kin may suffer as a result of my participation in wilderness activities, DUE TO ANY CAUSE WHATSOEVER, INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE, BREACH OF CONTRACT, OR BREACH OF ANY STATUTORY OR OTHER DUTY OF CARE, INCLUDING ANY DUTY OF CARE OWED UNDER THE OCCUPIERS LIABILITY ACT , R.S.B.C. 1996, c. 337, ON THE PART OF THE RELEASEES. I UNDERSTAND THAT NEGLIGENCE INCLUDES FAILURE ON THE PART OF THE RELEASEES TO TAKE REASONABLE STEPS TO SAFEGUARD OR PROTECT ME FROM OR WARN ME OF THE RISKS, DANGERS AND HAZARDS OF PARTICIPATING IN WILDERNESS ACTIVITIES;

2. TO HOLD HARMLESS AND INDEMNIFY THE RELEASEES from any and all liability for any property damage or personal injury to any third party resulting from my participation in wilderness activities;

3. This Release Agreement shall be effective and binding upon my heirs, next of kin, executors, administrators,

assigns and representatives, in the event of my death or incapacity; 4. This Release Agreement and any rights, duties and obligations as between the parties to this Release

Agreement shall be governed by and interpreted solely in accordance with the laws of British Columbia and no other jurisdiction; and

5. Any litigation involving the parties to this Release Agreement shall be brought solely within British Columbia

and shall be within the exclusive jurisdiction of the Courts of British Columbia. In entering into this Release Agreement I am not relying on any oral or written representations or statements made by the Releasees with respect to the safety of participating in wilderness activities, other than what is set forth in this Release Agreement.

I CONFIRM THAT I HAVE READ AND UNDERSTAND THIS RELEASE AGREEMENT AND I AM AWARE THAT BY SIGNING THIS RELEASE AGREEMENT I AM WAIVING CERTAIN LEGAL RIGHTS WHICH I OR MY HEIRS, NEXT OF KIN, EXECUTORS, ADMINISTRATORS, ASSIGNS AND REPRESENTATIVES MAY HAVE AGAINST THE RELEASEES.

Witness Signature

Guest Signature

Witness Printed Name

Guest Printed Name

Date

Signature of Parent or Guardian if guest is under age 19

5321852/ROBERT KENNEDY/FARRIS/0520