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Community Backcountry Project hosts first snow symposium Dec. 19

The Community Backcountry Project has a mission to promote and provide clear and unbiased information to backcountry users in our area. It will host its first snow symposium on Monday, Dec. 19, at Walking Mountains Science Center.
Ian Matteson | Daily file photo |

If you go …

What: Community Backcountry Project snow symposium.

When: 6:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 19.

Where: Walking Mountains Science Center, 318 Walking Mountains Lane, Avon.

Cost: Free.

More information: Call Kelli Rohrig, of White Room Adventures, at 970-390-9145.

AVON — Local companies Alpine Quest Sports, Paragon Guides, Cripple Creek Backcountry, Haute Route Gear and Apparel, Walking Mountains Science Center and White Room Adventures have combined forces to launch the Community Backcountry Project, with the mission to promote and provide clear and unbiased information to backcountry users in our area.

“We are taking over the avalanche talks from the Vail Ski Patrol and adding some bigger world subjects, like weather, beacon interference, broken bindings, etc.,” said Kelli Rohrig, lead instructor with White Room.

The coalition will host its first snow symposium event today at 6:30 p.m. at Walking Mountains Science Center in Avon, with beer provided by Vail Brewing Company. All of the project’s talks are geared to all levels of backcountry users.



Symposium schedule

• “Weather with Snooky,” do your own powder predictions with Dr. John “Snooky” Snook — Snook is a former Colorado Avalanche Information Center forecaster, patroller and weather genius. He is partially responsible for building, and maintaining, the CAIC weather model and web development and is currently working on a weather super computer for the Malaysian government.

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• “Uphill, BC gates, forecasts and you,” how the system works, with Max Forgensi, U.S. Forest Service mountain sports specialist — Forgensi previously forecasted for the Utah Avalanche Center, patrolled at Breckenrige, was a ranger in Oregon and is an avalanche educator.

• “Beacon Interference, Truth or Fiction,” with Kelli Rohrig, avalanche educator, guide and lover of snow.

• “We Will Come Save You,” backcountry rescue logistics and more, with Doug “Beefalo” Schofield, search and rescue, patroller, fun park manager and raft guru.

• “Social Conformity in the Backcountry,” with Kreston Rohrig, avalanche educator, ski and heli guide and former patroller — This fun talk delves into heuristics in the backcountry.

The next snow symposium will be Jan. 21 at Alpine Quest Sports in Edwards; presenters include Dean Cummings and Graham Kane. For more information, call Kelli Rohrig, of White Room Adventures, at 970-390-9145.


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