April 2013 WinterSAR Training:

This months training was to test our skills in travelling in varied terrain and unknown conditions. The team was asked to not research the conditions for the area in advance and was advised to arrive at the determined meeting spot with their full 3-day SAR packs along with skis. The training coordinator had researched conditions in advance with multiple sources and advised the members upon arrival of the target destination. Maps were reviewed, coordinates plotted and an agreement was reached as to our route. Next, all donned their plastic ski boots, mounted skins on skis and skis on packs—we were ready for any conditions.

Upon arrival to the first snow, the condition of the late spring snowpack was evaluated by the team (all participants certified at “Avalanche 2”) and deemed safe to proceed. We skinned to the highest safe spot and proceeded to ski down using the travel practice of skiing one at a time from one “safe island” to another.

The day was a success on all counts and consideration is being given to naming this particular training event the “Annual Boots & Boxers Bash”.