AST 2 thoughts??
- Thread starter Rusticles
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Drail
Active member
Don't know a single person who has taken it, and personally never understood it's purpose. Do you really want to spend money on an ast 2 course when you could take a avy 1 course and potentially get a job with the knowledge?
As with most people I just have my ast 1, and besides that field experience and lots of picking the brains of my friends with avy 1.
Is there any particular reason you want to take the ast 2 course besides the thirst for getting geaky with snow? If you think you are eventually gonna want to take avy 1, just skip ast 2. If you have no interest in avy 1 but really, really want to know more about snow crystals, go for it I guess.
I don't know, maybe I'm way off - anyone here actually have their ast 2?
As with most people I just have my ast 1, and besides that field experience and lots of picking the brains of my friends with avy 1.
Is there any particular reason you want to take the ast 2 course besides the thirst for getting geaky with snow? If you think you are eventually gonna want to take avy 1, just skip ast 2. If you have no interest in avy 1 but really, really want to know more about snow crystals, go for it I guess.
I don't know, maybe I'm way off - anyone here actually have their ast 2?
hemlockjibber8
Active member
never took it. did ast1 10 years ago and then did caa level1 a few years back. by the sounds of it they revamped the ast system and made it much simpler. ast1 is just an intro and focuses on terrain evaluation. ast 2 i believe is on conditions and gets into snow science a bit. Do you get out much with educated people? Are you able to identify snow and communicate your thoughts on it? The fact that your asking means that it is probably a good idea. Most importantly, did you take your ast 1 as it is currently being taught? If so, do it.
13601497:Drail said:
Just re-read my opening post, I was in a hurry haha. Most of our group has taken AST1 about 5-6 years ago. Were fairly cautious when we go out now that were older, but have probably made a few mistakes in the past. We definitely don't push our luck as much as we have in the past haha.
A few of us were wondering if it's actually worth it at this point. Personally I don't think it is as I feel it's more about managing/assessing dangerous avalanche terrain. Nowadays were far more inclined to turn around and sled in the meadows if were at all concerned. Just wondering what people who have taken it think about it.
freestyler540
Active member
13601537:Rusticles said:
When in doubt, use the mountaineering apprentice approach; find someone that knows his shit in the backcountry and shadow that person for a while. He or she will show you how to evaluate terrain and conditions as well as gear hacks and tricks.
Think of AST2 as a more in depth look at the theory and the physics to prepare you for avalanche control. Unless you are planning to share findings and to cut a few years of experience off, its a good idea. But if you are riding more slackcountry, AST1 is enough. Buy a book on the subject and save yourself a lot of money. The Mountaineering Series: Surviving in avalanche terrain is the best one I found and can be picked up just about anywhere.
I would recommend an injury specific first aid course to learn how to deal with the worst case scenario. Learn about map and compass navigation and only go when the time feels right.
Remember, not risking means you get to ride tomorrow for sure.
13601619:freestyler540 said:
Ok cool, thanks for the input. Would you say it's more focused on managing avalanche terrain when conditions are more dangerous, or a more in depth look at snowpack and what causes dangerous conditions.
Our group does have a good deal of experience, most of us have been out in the back country regularily for the better part of the last decade and I would think we have seen a fair amount of different situations regarding snow pack.
13601619:freestyler540 said:
Ok cool, thanks for the input. Would you say it's more focused on managing avalanche terrain when conditions are more dangerous, or a more in depth look at snowpack and what causes dangerous conditions.
Our group does have a good deal of experience, most of us have been out in the back country regularily for the better part of the last decade and I would think we have seen a fair amount of different situations regarding snow pack.
hemlockjibber8
Active member
What are you hoping to learn? What are you weakest skills? What is holding you back from making the best decisions you can while you are out? Why are you looking into further courses? Answer these and we can go from there.
13602035:hemlockjibber8 said:
Hoping to learn some more advanced knowledge on identifying hazardous slopes/snowpacks, we kind of feel that we may be missing some things when digging pits or entering new and changing terrain. focusing more on small specific single aspect areas.
Weakest skills, I would say is not practicing what we already know enough. Many days are spent in very safe areas so we don't necessarily do any kind of practice at that time.
Personally I feel that in the past what has held us back from making the best decisions was excitement, snow boner haha. I would think that with age and experience we've come past this and from our knowledge and time in the B.C. That we make very good decisions both in analyzing snowpack and route planning. Just wanna make sure that we aren't mid-interpreting things.
hemlockjibber8
Active member
I think it is worth it for you to do a course. You are looking for very specific info and you have been touring for a decade without finding that answer. I think you will benefit from pursuing specific knowledge than 'just putting your time in with people'. Unless you change things up and go out with qualified people and ask a lot of questions. Maybe the ast 2 is the answer, but I would even look at the CAA avy operations level 1. It is a professional course but you don't have to be in the industry to take it. It speak to people with knowledge and experience but you do not have to be an expert in any way going into it. I would guess that you have plenty of experience to use as a reference in this course. Things will come together and you will find you are able to come to you own conclusions about snowpacks, communicate your thoughts better and understand the fundamentals of what is actually happening. I think these are things that don't necessarily happen from the ast 2 and it might frustrate you.
The Level 1 can be a bit pricy ($1600 i think) if you do it at a catered lodge (but it's a damn good time and you are submersed in your material) or you can do it based out of a resort for $800.
The Level 1 can be a bit pricy ($1600 i think) if you do it at a catered lodge (but it's a damn good time and you are submersed in your material) or you can do it based out of a resort for $800.
hemlockjibber8
Active member
I was talking about the Avalanche Operations Level 1. But if you think you need to retake the entry level ones, that might be the best.