Preparation
The Avalanche Skills Training Level 2+ Course will provide an intermediate to advanced level decision-making framework that includes multiple days in the field. Keith screens all applicants for Lodge Based AST2+ courses to make sure each student has the ability to handle the vertical ups and downhill terrain for each specific lodge. Prior to the course start, please:
- Check out the Trip Planner and Slope Specific Decision Tool along with the discussion paper. It is an older article I wrote several years ago, but I think you will get much more out of the course if you have read this in advance of the classroom session.
- Make yourself familiar with the Avalanche Canada Website. (In particular, please check the latest Bulletin for our region. In addition you might be interested in the “Learn” tab of the website which includes an Online Avalanche Tutorial.)
- All students are required to sign a waiver at the beginning of the course. See a copy of the Waiver under Student Resources.
- Trip Cancellation/Interruption: We understand that the AST2+ week at a lodge is a big financial commitment. Occasionally events occur that may prevent you from joining us due to missed flight connection, job loss, death of a family member or your own illness or injury. When an unexpected event prevents you from travelling, Trip Cancellation/Trip Interruption reimburses travel costs if your trip is cancelled before you leave or disrupted after it has begun. To avoid any financial hardship that an unexpected cancellation or interruption could cause, we recommend purchasing Trip Cancellation/Interruption to protect your trip investment. Trip Cancellation/Interruption costs about 5% of your trip cost. Contact our preferred provider Lifestyle Financial and they can provide you with a quote for both Trip Cancellation/Interruption insurance and Emergency Medical Insurance (if needed). Travel Insurance Link for Guests
Equipment:
Here is a suggested list of gear and food: Lodge Based AST2 Suggested Packing List
Required reading from Valkyr Adventures:
This is hut information for both Hilda and Lequereux Outpost: Guidelines for self-catered groups
This is the Helicopter information for Hilda and Lequereux Outpost: helicopter-and-staging-area
This is an additional Hilda Lodge Information Sheet: hilda-hut-info-sheet
This is an additional Lequereux Outpost Information Sheet: lq-outpost-info-sheet
Navigation:
Each student will bring a device with the surrounding terrain downloaded for offline use. On the map image below, Hilda lodge is located to the right of the 1st lake which is NE of Hilda Peak at elevation 1940m. Lequereux Outpost is located just above the lake which is NNW of Mount Lequereux at 2200m:
