Separate from avalanche training, this course teaches self-reliant skills to prevent getting lost, falling, losing the route or becoming unable to move from exhaustion, and to get down safely.
- Energy-saving movement: body use and pole work for long days
- Climbing technique: uphill and downhill kick turns, traverses, boot-packing with skis on the pack
- Emergency shelter: snow caves and snow mounds
- Bivouac: fast pitching of an emergency tent
- Carrying: moving a casualty, pack carry, chain-cross method
- Rope work: hauling systems, basics of rope rescue
- Bring: full winter mountain kit (required); emergency tent, rope, carabiners (recommended). Skis or snowshoes needed.