The Nordic/Backcountry Division Staff presents:

Backcountry Patroller School

 

This is a human powered Patroller School designed to provide backcountry travelers who are NSP Patrollers with a backcountry skiing and rescue education experience.  Located in White Mountains overlooking New Hampshire’s iconic Mount Moosilauke.  We will live on the mountain, so gather your winter ski camping gear.

Participants must have full Alpine Touring gear or Telemark Skis including Skins, all snowboarders must be on “Split Boards!”

The event starts with a short Online Course which includes a Zoom meeting to prepare students for the two day weekend field exercise.  Participants will have a chance to borrow gear, learn how to assemble ski camping supplies, learn how to plan their nutritional needs for a long day of rescue work on the mountain.

Saturday at 8:00 AM the team meets in the the glade trailhead parking area (we will have coffee, bagels and muffins).  We will review gear, recheck the logistical needs for the rescue exercise, load up and skin about a mile and a half to mid-mountain to setup camp.  Saturday is a skiing and educational  day with the following topics introduced and practiced:

  1. Skinning and uphill travel (in-depth) exploration throughout the morning on Saturday.
  2. Skiing/riding in glades (mid February may have moguls, if NH snows are running late then the skiing may revolve around crud skiing, or if lucky, eastern powder).
  3. Navigation by both electronic means and compass/map as a backup skill.
  4. Rescue Toboggan Handling as a team with multiple practice runs.
  5. Low Angle Rescue (LAR) rope work will be introduced at camp as the late afternoon sun dips below the mountain tops.
  6. Improvised Toboggan construction will be taught.
  7. We will serve a camp dinner.
  8. The learning will continue with rescue knot practice.

There will be an option after dinner for those who wish to ski off the mountain and return to a motel for the night.  Participants who choose not to winter ski camp will need to skin back to camp by 8 AM Sunday for breakfast and a SAR Rescue Mission Briefing before setting off with their assignments.

On Sunday morning we wake up to a camp breakfast to prepare for the day of activities. The team puts the skills learned into action.  We will split up into groups based on whatever interest each participant prefers.  We can ski, or lap with toboggans, chose to LAR over a cliff drop for those interested in rope experience, etc. .

We will break camp around 2 pm, cleanup and ski/ride off the mountain.

Participants with interests in Senior Training or the Nordic Masters program, please check a box in the registration form.  We will be able to tailor the groups to provide an emphasis on the Nordic-Backcountry direction students want to pursue.

The online learning portion will teach participants how Backcountry Ski Patrollers plan and prepare their food and water intake for a long day of activities.  Everyone will be responsible for their own lunches and snacks.  Saturday dinner and Sunday breakfast will be provided.

Are you ready to put your Ski Patrolling skills to the test in a backcountry field exercise?

LODGING: Nearby to Pike, NH you may consider two lodges within a 30 minute drive.

Baker Rocks Cabins
202-509-3622
262 Depot St, Rumney, NH 03266
21 miles, 26 minute drive

Nootka Lodge
603.747.2418
4982 Dartmouth College Hwy, Woodsville, NH 03785
13 miles, 20 minute drive

This event is limited to 12 attendees, please use the WAITING LIST button if the event sells out.

 

  • Backcountry Patroller School
     February 22, 2025 - February 23, 2025
     8:00 AM - 3:00 PM Human Powered Patroller School
Details Price Qty
Backcountry Ticketshow details + $85.00 USD  


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Venue:  

Venue Website:

Address:
2719 Mt Moosilauke Highway, , New Hampshire 03780, Pike, New Hampshire, 03780, United States

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