POWDER CAT TOURS
Powder Cat Tours, California’s only resort based cat skiing operation, operates in two areas: Martin Point and Red Cliffs. Expedition Guides and Pro Patrollers lead groups on four runs of fresh turns. Avalanche beacons, probes and backpacks will be provided, guests are encouraged to bring own gear if they have it. Daily expeditions are weather dependent; the location will be determined by snow conditions. Open to skiers and riders, advanced and up. Guests will recieve four runs per session.
Powder Cat Tours operates when conditions permit as determined by guides and ski patrol; cat holds eleven guests. Tours fill up quickly, so guests are encouraged to book in advance. Groups of eight or more can reserve private cat trip seven days a week; advance reservations required. Best advice: keep an eye on the long range weather forecast and book accordingly!
2-DAY BACKCOUNTRY COURSE: TRAVELING IN AVALANCHE TERRAIN
Get all the information you need to have a safe, fun and quality experience in the backcountry. In this 2-Day Course we will cover all the basic information needed for a successful venture in the backcountry. Combining a small amount of classroom time with plenty of time in the field, the 2 Day Backcountry Course provides all the necessary knowledge for a productive and safe backcountry outing.
*Students must have an attended an AIARE Level 1 or equivalent avalanche course
Day 1:
Classroom – 1 -2 hours covering grouping and group dynamics, uphill/downhill travel techniques, field book use, accessing and understanding the avalanche reports and danger scales.
Field Time – The rest of the day will be spent in the field (within the mountain boundaries) practicing downhill travel techniques, recognizing safe zones and understanding how to travel to them as a group. Recognizing terrain traps and how to avoid and use to your advantage, different riding techniques, slope shapes and dangers. We will also cover different types of snow test, signals and communication; visuals (hand, poles) and audio (radio, voice) as well as understanding start zones, danger zones and runouts.
Day 2:
Classroom – 1-2 hours of info gathering, route planning, accessing and understanding how to read a map and a group gear check.
Filed Time – Prepare for a out of boundaries tour; gear /beacon check and practice, uphill track setting and skinning techniques, formal and in-formal snow tests, pacing and map checks. Each person will have a chance to lead the group and apply skills learned on day one. We will look at emergency shelters, rescue sleds and performing a companion rescue.
Required Gear List:
• Telemark Skis, randonee Skis or splitboard with skins to fit*
• Boots – Telemark, randonee or snowboard boots
• Poles (adjustable or alpine length)
• Backpack, shovel, probe and transceiver**
• Food and water for all day outing
• Personal gear / equipment
• Clothing for activities and standing in cold / snowy weather (No cotton)
• Long underwear and insulating layers (Polypro is great)
• Outer layers (Wind and waterproof)
• Warm gloves and beanie (Good to have ball cap and extra gloves as well)
• Sunglasses, goggles and sunscreen
*The Kirkwood demo center has a limited number of split boards and randonee skis with skins available for rent. Please contact Expedition Kirkwood for more details. Due to limited quantities, gear must be reserved a minimum of 48 hours prior to course starting.
**If you do not have a backpack, shovel, probe or beacon Expedition can provide you with a set up free of charge
BEACON BASIN
In partnership with Backcountry Access, the leader in transceiver technology, Kirkwood is pleased to offer Beacon Basin, a state-of-the-art avalanche transceiver training site that features 11 permanently buried transmitters wired to a central control panel; users can control the number of transmitters that are activated. Beacon Basin is open to guests every day, free of charge (guests must have their own transceivers). Stop by Expedition: Kirkwood Headquarters for details, located on the Village Plaza at Kirkwood Mountain Resort.
Beacon basin is located next to the Patrol Station at the top of Chair 2. Stop by and grab the control box from the Patrol station.
TRANSCEIVER CLINICS
Free Beacon Clinics will be held on the first Sunday of every month, during which we will offer free one and half hour beacon clinics and training sessions at the top of Chair 2. Guests are advised to pre-register. Our guide will have beacons available for demos and practice. Guests need to register with Expedition:Kirkwood. Free beacon clinics will meet in the Expedition Office at 10:00am.
PRICING AND DATES FOR 2010/11
Check back with us in September for dates and pricing for all Expedition:Kirkwood clinics and camps.
For more details or information please call the Expedition HQ at 209.258.7360 or email us at expedition@kirkwood.com
