AVALANCHE SAFETY COURSE - LEVEL ONE
Jan 03-05 | Jan 24-26 | Feb 14-16 | Mar 01-03 | Mar 14-16
In a mixed group of up to 6 people - 180 EUR per person
We are often asked the question of "Which course should I take for winter in the mountains? Mountaineering or Avalanche Safety?'
Our answer is always unwavering – avalanche safety!
Before we learn how to move in the winter, we should have answers to the more important questions - why, where and whether to cross the terrain at all...
The avalanche safety course will introduce you in depth to snow's everchanging nature and will give you the tools you need to make responsible and correct decisions for yourself and your group.
You will learn how to read the terrain and the warning signs of the mountain. How to choose your route on safe and secure terrain, and how to correctly assess snow conditions.
You will also learn to quickly and efficiently find, recover and aid burried friends.
This course will helo you will lay a solid foundation for all your future adventures in the wonderful world of the winter mountains.
Well, what are you waiting for? Sign up!
ITINERARY
Main Topics
- Avalanche problems
- Hazards in winter conditions
- Working with avalanche safety equipment: Transceiver search, probing, shovelling
- Avalanche stability tests
- Snowpack analysis
- Ascent and descent route selection
- Route planning in winter conditions
- Correct actions in cases of avalanche incidents
- First aid for burried victims
Day 1: Online meeting / Presentation
On Friday evening, before the course, at 18:30 we will hold an online lecture on the main avalanche problems, working with an avalanche device, shovel and probe, as well as rescue actions for those trapped. We will familiarize ourselves with the basic knowledge that we will put into practice in the next two days.
The duration of the lecture is about 2 hours.
Day Two – Practice, practice, practice…
Group meeting – 08:30 in front of Aleko hut.
This day will have us fully immersed in the world of avalanches - many practical exercises in searching, probing and excavating buried victims await us.
We will also take time to interpret all the signs that the mountain gives us. We will learn about typical avalanche slopes, terrain traps and the human factor.
Day 3: First aid when digging out a casualty. Avalanche rescue operations
This day is dedicated to applying our knowledge in the field. We will go deeper into the mountains and see the more treacherous sections of the often underestimated Vitosha. Our main focus will be the selection of safe lines of ascent and descent, and everyone will be able to participate in the planning process.
We will also conduct a simulated rescue operation, including providing first aid.
Then we'll go back to the warmth of the lodge to have a nice debrief of everything we've learned.
MANDATORY EQUIPMENT
- Снегоходки или Туринг сет (ски или Сплитборд, колани, щеки, котки/крампони/ за автоматите)
- Boot crampons
- Ice axe
- Appropriate footwear
- 35L backpack
- hardshell jacket and pants
- Down jacket
- Fleece jacket
- Three pairs of gloves - thin flleece gloves, thick fleece/leather gloves, mittens
- thermal blouse and leggings
- winter hat
- Personal Avalanche Kit: Avalanche transceiver, avalanche probe, avalanche shovel (if you don't have your own, you can rent a kit from us)
GALLERY
Your Instructor
Zahari Dimitrov
Zahari is a mountain guide, ski instructor, paramedic and mountain rescuer with ten years of experience and extensive many trips in the Bulgarian mountains, in Greece, the Alps and the Caucasus under his belt.
English 
Bulgarian