Contributed by Debra McGhan
Alaska Snow Safety Summit
11/2/2017 – 3PM
Chugach National Forest Avalanche Center, Alaska Pacific University, Alaska Avalanche Information Center, the American Avalanche Association
Alaska Pacific University
4101 University Dr. Anchorage
FREE Event
Southcentral Alaska Avalanche Workshop
11/3/2017 – 1PM
Chugach National Forest Avalanche Center, Alaska Pacific University, Alaska Avalanche Information Center, the American Avalanche Association
Alaska Pacific University
4101 University Dr. Anchorage
FREE Event
Snow Fest
11/4/2017 – 11AM
Alaska Avalanche Information Center
Alaska Pacific University
4101 University Dr. Anchorage
FREE Event
As a lifelong Alaskan who loves to hike, ski, bike, ride snowmachines, boat, fish and otherwise get out and explore this amazing state, I have also had a lot of hair-raising adventures. Some that had painful outcomes resulting in frostbite, cuts, scrapes, torn ligaments and more.
I remember one adventure when I was just 16 years old and I climbed on the back of my boyfriend’s snowmachine for an evening ride on Sand Lake in Anchorage.
The temperature hovered near minus 20 degrees, but at 16, I didn’t think much about that. At least not until we stopped in the middle of the lake and he shut off the sled. That’s when the cold really started to seep in.
We took a few minutes to enjoy the spectacular northern lights, but when he tried to start the sled and the pull rope came off in his hand, the joy of the experience went right out of the scene. He tried to get the rope back on the pulley for several minutes, but eventually announced that we would have to walk the 3+ miles that we’d ridden in minutes back to the house to get tools.
As we trudged through the snow, my cheeks grew white with frostbite, my fingers and toes felt numb and I began to wonder if we would make it home when my brother rescued us in his car. Lucky for us.
That has not been the case for too many of my friends. Some suffered life-altering unintentional injuries that still hurt decades later. Some never made it home at all. It’s for these reasons that every fall, as the weather transitions from summer to winter, I think about the importance of education and learning ways to avoid injuries that too often result in the end of life.
On November 2nd-4th, a host of professional agency representatives, snow safety forecasters and instructors from around the state will gather at Alaska Pacific University (APU) in Anchorage for the annual Summit, Avalanche Workshop and SnowFest. This is a concerted effort to kick off Avalanche Awareness Education Month.
The first day and half are geared more for professionals, but the afternoon Avalanche Workshop (November 3rd) and SnowFest (November 4th) are all about helping the general public. The Avalanche Workshop is hosted by the Chugach National Forest Avalanche Information Center. You can learn more at www.CNFAIC.org.
The SnowFest, presented by the Alaska Avalanche Information Center (AAIC), is a free, family-friendly event thanks to support from the Alaska Department of Public Safety, AARP Alaska and APU. This program provides a great opportunity to get some education, practice skills for companion rescue and check out some cool sleds and gear, plus learn about more advanced training opportunities slated by a number of organizations.
The SnowFest workshops begin at 11am on Saturday, November 4th and includes a series of skill stations that are designed to let you learn or practice at your own level and pace. If you’ve been riding, skiing and exploring Alaska for decades or are new to the state, there will be something that fits your abilities.
Whether you ride a snowmachine or prefer the organic quiet of snowshoes, it pays to take the time to learn ways you can recognize potential hazards. Plus, learn how and where to obtain information such as a snow forecast, share an observation or just understand the red flags nature uses to warn us of potential danger.
Stop for a brief visit to say hi and check out the new gear or spend a couple of hours to practice your skills or learn ways you can ride and explore Alaska better this winter.
Get all the details at www.AlaskaSnow.org or call 907-255-2242.
