Level 2 Avy + Ski/Snowboard Mountaineering Course In Kyrgyzstan

Level 2 Avy + Ski/Snowboard Mountaineering Course In Kyrgyzstan – February 24-March 2, 2013

40 Tribes Backcountry announces an advanced-level avalanche and ski/snowboard mountaineering course in Kyrgyzstan, Central Asia. Designed for skiers and riders who are increasingly pushing limits in the backcountry, the course will teach critical skills for staying safe in remote, big mountain environments. The curriculum will focus on approaching and carrying out backcountry tours and mountaineering objectives where few, if any, avalanche forecasting and rescue resources are available. The course will be taught by Greg Johnson (ACMG Splitboard Guide and CAA Avalanche Instructor) and Ptor Spricenieks (Black Diamond Athlete and Ski Mountaineering Legend).

Course Specifics:
-Certifications Offered: CAC Level 2 Avalanche Certification (AST2) + Recreational Ski/Snowboard Mountaineering Skills Certification
-Dates: February 24-March 2, 2013
-Location: Tien Shan Mountains, Kyrgyzstan
-Size: Max 8 participants (1:4 guide to participant ratio)
-Instructors/Guides: Greg Johnson, Ptor Spricenieks
-Price: USD $1,975/person

The Scene:
40 Tribes operates a backcountry yurt in a remote sub-range of the Tien Shan Mountains in eastern Kyrgyzstan, in partnership with families from the rural village at the foot of the mountains. The yurt, located at 2,650m and accessed via a 6km skin track, is traditionally hand-felted and heated by a wood burning stove, offering an intimate and cozy basecamp environment. 40 Tribes' local partners work at the yurt, making sure our guests are always properly styled out and well fed. The yurt offers great access to backdoor tree skiing and is within 2-3 hours touring time from surrounding summits, which top out at 3,650-3,700m and offer up everything from open pow fields and cruiser ridgelines to couloirs and technical descents. The entire 7-day course will be based from the yurt, allowing us to cover essential material in a comfortable "classroom" setting, while spending most of each day learning and practicing in the mountains.

Course Goals:
The primary goal of the course is to teach and practice hard skills that will help you stay safer, be more efficient, get more done, and have more fun…while getting after it. Greg and Ptor will cover everything from tying knots and setting anchors, to crevasse and cliff rescues, to route finding and steep skiing and snowboarding techniques, and will offer up critical tips and tricks they have picked up over the years. Also integrated into the course is the CAC Level 2 Avalanche Skills Training curriculum, which provides an in-depth introduction to avalanche formation and release, addresses nuances in terrain and snowpack characteristics, and provides opportunities to practice trip planning and execution, and gain proficiency in carrying out a rescue. Participants will receive a CAC AST2 certificate as well as a basic ski/snowboard mountaineering skills certificate at the end of the course.

Prerequisites:
-Previous Level 1 Avalanche Certification via a recognized course provider
-Advanced ski/splitboard touring experience and skill level
-A good command of the English language

Perfect For:
Advanced-level skiers and riders who are:
-Looking for hard skills that will allow them to safely approach and carry out ski/snowboard mountaineering objectives
-Interested in obtaining their Level 2 Avalanche Certification and learning advanced skills required for climbing and skiing steeper terrain in the backcountry
-Seeking a basic training program that any reputable guiding organization like the AMGA, ACMG will recognize as a prerequisite to their programs

What It's All About:
The course will offer plenty of field time, a degree of intimacy that you won’t find with any other course offering, and a week of long and very fun days in the mountains!

Learn More:
http://40tribesbackcountry.com.....g-courses/ or write to info@40tribesbackcountry.com.