Ski Mountaineering Outdoor Sessions

Survival Ski Clinic:
The class takes place near the UAF sledding hill W of the SRC. Students practice skills such as side stepping, herringbone, kick turns, snowplow, stem christi and telmark turns.

Avalanche Skills Workshop:
Five stations are set up around campus and small groups of students rotate from station to station.

• Avalanche Hazard Evaluation Students learn to estimate angle of slopes, dig snow pits, look for weak layers, evaluate slope stability, etc.
• Victim Searches Students practice using avalanche beacons to search for other beacons (victim) buried in a snow slope. They also learn to use an avalanche probe.
• Navigation Map and compass skills are taught.
• Anchors Students learn how to construct snow anchors with pickets, flukes and ice screws.
• Ice Ax Arrest Students learn ice ax arrest methods on slopes

• Prusik Ropes are hung in the ice rink and students use the Texas prusik technique to ascend the ropes..
• Rappelling Ropes are run down a low angle slope. Students learn how to rappel using figure eight and plate type rappel devices.
• Z-pulley Anchors are placed in the snow dump by the Nenana Parking lots. Students practice the Z-pulley method of removing a person from a crevasse.
• Crampons and Roped Travel Student tie into climbing ropes, attach prusik loops, and put on crampons then walk a short course to simulate roped travel. This is usually done near the Ballaine/Taku Parking lots
• Belaying Students learn how to do sitting belays and ice ax belays. This takes place on the snow dump at the E end of Yukon Drive.

Panorama Slopes:
The lower slopes of Panorama Peak are ideal for practicing mountaineering skills because the snow is wind packed and angle is about 20 degrees. This is steep enough for practice but not steep enough to be dangerous. There is also a good run out at the base of the slope. Skills practiced include ice ax arrest, cramponing, belaying, running belays, snow anchors, beacon searches, and slope stability evaluation.

Delta Range Glacier Ice:
Students ski or snowshoe 4 to 5 miles up the Castner Glacier until we find a suitable small ice cliff. These are ideal for practicing crevasse rescue techniques because there are no real crevasses around. Ropes are attached to strong multiple ice screw anchors and students practice using the Texas technique to ascend. This trip also tests the students' abilities at winter camping.