2012 Annual Winter Workshop

2012 Annual Winter Hiking, Skiing & Leadership Workshop

February 24-26, 2012 (Second workshop)
Instruction in safe Winter mountain travel for experienced 3-season hikers
Cardigan Lodge, Alexandria, NH

Winter is no reason to stay inside.

The winter hiking season is just around the corner, are you prepared? This workshop offers instruction in safe Winter mountain travel to experienced 3-season hikers. Among the many available classes, most every aspect of winter backcountry travel is covered.  The weekend is filled with instruction, field exercises, lectures, and discussions. ` And when you’re not learning, there is plenty of great food to fuel you back up!

Just because it’s winter it doesn’t mean you have to hang up your backpack until spring.  Learn how to go out and explore the NH wilds this winter safely and with confidence.  Once again this winter, the NH Chapter will sponsor two training workshops.  They’re designed to teach you what you what you need to know for safe travel in the winter mountains; what to wear, what to take, how to use it, how to get there, how to get back, and how to plan for the unplanned.  Both workshops will offer the same curriculum, except as noted below.  All sections include extensive time outdoors.  The first one, The NH Chapter Annual Winter Workshop # 1, will be held on Jan. 20-22.  The second workshop, Workshop # 2, will be held on Feb. 24-26. Both weekends of learning and fun run from Friday night until Sunday afternoon and are conducted at the Cardigan Lodge.

A variety of instructional groups are offered that cover most every aspect winter backcountry travel and safety.  The weekend is filled with instruction, field exercises, lectures, and group discussions.  Your time will be divided between your individual class and activities for the entire workshop.  When you’re not learning, there is plenty of great food to fuel you back up!

Choose from one following classes.  If you are not sure which class is right for you, just give us a call and ask one of our Workshop Directors.  Once you’ve found a class, just fill out an application (below), and send it to us with your payment.  Please indicate which workshop, #1 or #2, you want to attend.  You can find out how to contact the directors or get an application is at the end of this notice.

The classes offered at the workshops are as follows:

A. Introduction to Winter Wilderness Travel:

Instruction in general mountain safety, clothing, & equipment, nutrition, risk management & trip planning.  Instruction includes an introduction to snowshoeing as well as map & compass.  This workshop section is intended for individuals with limited experience in the New England outdoors who would like to start winter activities safely.  Anticipate hiking as much as three miles at a slow pace with occasional uphill grades.

B.  Intermediate Snow Shoeing:

Instruction in snowshoeing, route finding (map & compass) as well as general mountain safety, clothing & equipment, nutrition, risk management & trip planning.  This workshop section is intended for individuals with extensive 3-season experience in the New England outdoors, but limited winter experience, who would like to get into more winter activities safely.  Anticipate hiking/snowshoeing up to five miles at a moderate / slow pace with sustained uphill grades.

C: Advanced Winter Wilderness Travel:

Instruction is offered in winter travel on steep terrain & above tree line.  Subjects covered include snowshoeing on mountain terrain, use of crampons, dressing for extreme weather conditions, off-trail navigation & risk management.  This workshop section is intended for individuals with winter experience in the New England outdoors who are interested in climbing NE mountains safely.  Anticipate hiking six or more miles at a moderate/fast pace with sustained steep uphill climbs & significant exposure to wind.  This class does not include training in ice axe use.

D: Introduction To Backcountry Skiing:

Instruction in basic backcountry skiing techniques, including use of equipment, trail travel (safety and some map & compass), gliding, stopping & turning.  Participants will spend about 3 to 4 hours at a time outside on skis.  Trips will be on ungroomed backcountry trails, & vary in length from 2 to 4 miles.  There won't be any great elevation gains, but rather frequent small ups & downs.  Participants will be expected to ski with their day packs containing necessary items.  This class will only be offered for Workshop # 1.

E: Intermediate Backcountry Skiing:

Instruction in skiing technique, map & compass, general backcountry safety, clothing & equipment.  Participants should be able to herringbone (to climb) & wedge to a stop, ready to learn wedge turns & possibly telemark turns.  Trips will be 3 to 4 miles on fairly narrow, ungroomed backcountry trails with 500 feet elevation gain & loss.  We will be outdoors 3 to 4 hours.

F: Advanced Backcountry Skiing:

Instruction in free-heel skiing techniques, with an emphasis on telemark turns, and necessary snow skills.  Participants should be able to do wedge, step or basic tele turns.  The majority of time will be spent outdoors with instruction on telemark turns, followed by 2 to 3 mile tours on backcountry trails.  We will search for powder skiing in open trees.

G: Down Mountain Skiing:

Instruction in general backcountry safety, clothing and equipment, navigation, and trip planning.  Review of ski techniques for radical backcountry terrain.  Participants should be able to do wedge & parallel, or tele turns.  We will tour 5 to 6 miles with an elevation gain of 2000 feet.  Conditions encountered will include narrow trails, open tree skiing, bushwhacking, and some above-timberline windslab.  This class will only be offered for Workshop # 2.

H: Leadership and Mountain Skills:

This section is for those who have mastered the basics of winter hiking.  Exercises in planning, organizing, and expediting a trip with emphasis on leadership techniques and group dynamics.  A review of the basics, accident scene management, medical considerations and off trail navigation.  This section is also for people with potential and desire to become trip leaders for the NH Chapter Excursions Committee.  NOTE: proficiency on snowshoes is a prerequisite.

I: Introduction to Winter Backpacking:

For those that have mastered the basics of 3-season backpacking skills.  Instruction (will cover as many of these topics as possible) in general winter mountain safety, snowshoeing, equipment, proper camp site selection, how to erect a tent in winter, how & what to cook, trail finding, map & compass, off trail navigation, weather, trip planning, nutrition, emergency situations.  Warning: All participants must have proper winter clothing, a winter sleeping bag that has a rating of 20° below zero or lower, a winter foam pad and a winter backpacking tent.  Tents will be provided if needed.  This group will participate in indoor lectures and evening programs, sleeping outside Fri. & Sat. night, prepare 1 meal outdoors.  This class will only be offered for Workshop # 1.

J: Intermediate Winter Backpacking:

Same as Introduction to Winter Backpacking except this group will be spending more time outdoors.  They will not participate in most lectures or evening program, will sleep outside both Fri. & Sat. night, prepare 2 meals outdoors.  This class will only be offered for Workshop # 2.

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The workshops will begin promptly at 7:30 P.M.  Friday evening and end Sunday afternoon at approximately  4 P.M.  This is a school for everyone who wants to learn and have a great time.  Cost $135.00 (AMC members), $155.00 (nonmembers), includes lodging, excellent meals, materials, and instruction.

Application:

On-line Application:
Please apply via our on-line application to ensure the accuracy and priority of your application.  You may access the on-line detailed information and application here.  (If the link doesn't work then type or paste "amc_registration.ccntr.org" into the address line of your browser.)  If this is your first time using our online registration form, you must first create an account. Otherwise, login with your password.  Then after you have completed the registration form, please send your payment to:
  Rich Desmaris 17 Longwood Ave., Londonderry, NH 03053

Written Application:
For those unable or unwilling to do the on-line application you may download the application here (PDF).
--OR--
Send a large (No. 10, 4.12"X 9.5") self addressed envelope with first class postage with your telephone number to the Registrar:
  Rich Desmaris 17 Longwood Ave., Londonderry, NH 03053.
Please send a separate envelope and postage for each applicant.  Please indicate which workshop (#1 or #2) you want to attend.

Once you have your application, fill it out and send it with your payment to the registrar.  You must be 18 years or older to attend.

Workshop Director:

If unsure of attending and need more info please contact Director Rick Silverberg (603-225-5921, 7-10:30 p.m.)