Mountain Travel and Rescue course

This past weekend I participated in the Mountain Travel and Rescue course, organized by the National Ski Patrol. The course began last month and included five three hour classes at the local REI. The course culminated this weekend with a three day backpacking trip to Albion Basin, which is just outside Alta Ski Resort. We began with a short but demanding two and one half mile hike into the basin. The objective of the course is to enhance a ski patrolers knowledge, as well as learn outdoor survival skills. Once we were at our destination, the first order of business was to build snow caves. After only three hours of grueling digging, our shelters were complete. We cooked dinner and promptly crashed in our ice dwellings. The caves were actually quite warm. If the caves are built properly, air that is warmed by respiration's and body heat are trapped in the upper part of the cave where you sleep. Cold air settles in the bottom of the cave and is carried out by gravity. The next few days were filled with mock searches, map and compass exercises and and a pretty cool rescue course. Anyway, great times!!



Matt, a fellow patroler, heads up a fixed line



Amazing amount of snow! Amy, on a compass heading



The spot we made camp was in a little mini cirque, as you can see in the background. Perfect for the high angle rescue scenarios



The last night we had an insane bon fire that left a fifteen foot wide by six foot deep crater in the snow, (we had to fill before departing the next day).