Avalanche education

The Backcountry Avalanche Awareness and Response Team (BAART) is trying to make sure the youngest backcountry travelers are well aware of the dangers by equipping them with the needed tools for safety.

BAART recently held its first essay contest, and Michael Logsdon, a Palmer High School senior, won for his entry about safe travel in the backcountry. As a result, Logsdon received a Tracker beacon, a probe pole and an avalanche shovel -- equipment he used the following weekend, Feb. 14-16, when he took a three-day avalanche awareness course at Hatcher Pass to further his education.

"I really learned a lot, a lot more than I thought I would," Logsdon said. "They talked a lot about route finding, and how to avoid terrain that is prone to slides. And a lot about snow crystals and the different effects of wind events and weather."

Hearing Logsdon talk excitedly about avalanche education is music to BAARTS' ears. The organization goes into schools and presents short sessions about safety, hoping to spur students into attending the classes offered by such organizations as the Alaska Mountain Safety Center.

"When we go into schools and talk to students, we try to encourage them to at least take the eight-hour class," said president Bob Schmidt. "I'm a classic example of thinking you know more than you know. After I took my first eight-hour class, I realized I had a lot to learn. I've been taking classes ever since. It makes you a smarter backcountry user.

"Avalanche awareness isn't about not having fun in the backcountry, like some people want to think. People are sometimes afraid that when you are talking about avalanche awareness, it means they aren't going to be riding where they were riding before or they won't be highmarking like they used to," Schmidt said. "In reality, what it does is lets you see the signs Mother Nature is giving you to make a smart choice. I still ride where I used to ride, but I'm smarter about it now."

And so is Logsdon. The Palmer student has been alpine skiing for about six years, and recently got into telemark skiing in the backcountry. His access has been limited, he said in his essay (see sidebar) because he didn't have avalanche gear such as a beacon, probe pole and shovel. As the winner of the first-ever essay contest, he is now better equipped to handle the challenges of backcountry travel.

"Before, I'd just avoid steep slopes and that was it," Logsdon said. "Now I know what to look for."

Schmidt said BAART will be offering the essay contest to high school students again next year.

Avalanche group always looking for more volunteers

By CASEY RESSLER-Valley Life editor

As more and more people turn to areas such as Hatcher Pass for winter backcountry recreation, the risks of avalanches only rises as well. That's why one organization is trying to keep people educated -- to keep them alive.

"No matter how many classes you take, Mother Nature can still surprise you," said BAART president Bob Schmidt. "Being prepared and educated gives you the greatest chance of survival."

BAART was formed almost five years ago, and the group has worked tirelessly to raise awareness of avalanche dangers to reduce the number of avalanche-caused fatalities. Targeting snowmachiners, backcountry skiers and snowboarders and other winter recreationalists, the group is entirely volunteer driven.

Schmidt said the organization is always looking for a little help.

"We're just like any other nonprofit organization -- we need as many volunteers as possible to make things happen," he said.

For more information about the organization, interested people can visit the Web site www.baart.us.

Also at the Web site, visitors can find up-to-date information about snow conditions and the latest information about potential avalanche conditions in various recreation areas, including Hatcher Pass, Eureka and Petersville.