Risk Management
Certainly backcountry skiing/snowboarding come with the potential for risk. However, we will do everything in our power to appropriately and effectively manage that risk. First and foremost, we will NOT ski in avalanche terrain. Ashley has 24 years of backcountry skiing experience, and possesses her Pro Level 1 Avalanche certificate (and will be working to get her Avalanche Instructor training certification in February) as well as a Wilderness First Responder certificate. She has been leading students in the outdoors, including backcountry winter environments, for 10 years. While in the field, all instructors will carry a robust first aid kit and a satellite communication device.
We will be taking our Level 1 and Companion Rescue courses through San Juan Expeditions, a well-respected guide company based in Silverton and Animas Dean of Experiential Ed., Ashley Carruth will be a co-instructor on that course.
Ultimately, risk management is a group process. Students will be asked to be active participants in managing risk, which involves mature behavior appropriate for extreme environments. They will be taught how to assess and mitigate risk exposure and certainty. They will be asked to reflect on their individual, as well as the group's, decision-making and risk management practices each time we are in the field. In these ways, and more, students will learn essential decision-making and group communication skills that will assist them in gaining the confidence and tools to effectively identify and manage risk in group settings and think critically about how this knowledge applies to other realms of their lives. The goal is to support students in making healthy decisions regardless of the context.
We will be taking our Level 1 and Companion Rescue courses through San Juan Expeditions, a well-respected guide company based in Silverton and Animas Dean of Experiential Ed., Ashley Carruth will be a co-instructor on that course.
Ultimately, risk management is a group process. Students will be asked to be active participants in managing risk, which involves mature behavior appropriate for extreme environments. They will be taught how to assess and mitigate risk exposure and certainty. They will be asked to reflect on their individual, as well as the group's, decision-making and risk management practices each time we are in the field. In these ways, and more, students will learn essential decision-making and group communication skills that will assist them in gaining the confidence and tools to effectively identify and manage risk in group settings and think critically about how this knowledge applies to other realms of their lives. The goal is to support students in making healthy decisions regardless of the context.
