the professional camp for the unprofessional champ

We’ve created the next level intensive Backcountry and Avalanche Skills training camp, because after an AST 1 & 2 nothing exists to further the learning process.  Often people seek the CAA Ops level 1 course as the next step, but that’s not for everyone. That curriculum has a focus on recording standards to work as an avalanche professional not the actual decision making process.  Enter the caPROcess. (CAPOW plus Process)

Apply curriculum in complex big mountain terrain and learn the process how to put it all together. 

Learn from top certified guides a professional way to gather information, ground truth in the field, stimulate the conversation in a group and formulate a decision. 

We understand that not everyone wants to work as a professional in the Avalanche industry, but are still looking for professional decision-making, communication and terrain movement skills. The curriculum is intensive, mirroring something like a CAA professional Operations Level 1. In other words, days are spent accessing the best possible shredding. However, the focus will be on learning the steps it takes to get there.

The course comes with our very own PROcess field book, a curriculum we created to develop a systematic approach to decision making.  “Over-a-cold-one(s)” evening sessions, we will build on the day’s curriculum, with the intention of developing personal decision-making and thought analyzing frameworks to take forward as a leader. We will cover how a professional conducts AM/PM meetings with daily Avalanche Canada Mountain Information Network posts.  You will be coached to communicate to a professional standard.  Sessions will include comprehensive avalanche theory, and relate from our previous experiences through case studies.  Hands on scenarios will cover rescue with advanced extraction techniques and improvised toboggan building.

We will be based out of Revelstoke, BC – setting us up for a different location each day.  From Rogers Pass, Revy area backcountry and if the weather and group interest are keen we can add a heli drop in the surrounding area.  Our goal is to drop you into unfamiliar and big terrain.  Big decisions start right away and keep happening all day. Class size will be small 4-6 students. It will be up to us as a group to decide where to go and what to do. Expect to set the up-track, get coached along the way and learn how to stimulate the conversation in a group to get the best out of the day.

There is no substitute for experience when it comes to backcountry and avalanche terrain decision-making and movement – but this is a course to expedite that learning and experience process. We’ve got high expectations for the course, and we have the same expectations for those that sign up. We’re looking for physically fit students with previous touring experience. An AST 2 or summary of equivalent experience is required.