WSSA 2009/2010 Safety Schedule and News
Contact: Mick Steinman
It is that time of year again to get the sleds out and get them ready for the season. Be sure to grease as needed, check the wear parts, and check your machines maintenance schedule requirements. A broken machine in the backcountry can cause a lot of headaches. Be prepared to spend the night outside and think about how you would tow a broken machine out of the mountains.
Expo
We will have the safety trailer at the WSSA Expo in Puyallup on October 17th and 18th. Stop by and pick up our safety info and see the demonstrations. We will have some avalanche experts at the Expo if you have some technical questions on beacon or other equipment usage.
Be sure to check out the North West Avalanche Center booth (NWAC) at Expo too. They have a new updated website and are very eager to show you how it works.
Michael Jackson, with the Alpine Safety Awareness Program (ASAP), and Duane Paynton, with Back Country Access, will be doing free seminars on Saturday and Sunday. Check the Expo schedule for times and locations.
Washington State Parks is sponsoring a snowmobile safety certification class for youths. This is a great class for kids 12 to 18 or any beginning rider.
Avalanche Training
Coming up, we also have eight-hour avalanche awareness seminars available in November. Contact Brandy Floyd at koyotecrazy@hotmail.com for more information. Cost is $65.00. Locations include:
• November 7th – Mt. Baker Moto-Sports, Bellingham, (360) 676-4096.
• November 8th - The Sled Shed, Puyallup, (253) 922-3318.
Another opportunity is the Northwest Snow and Avalanche Summit (NSAS). NSAS is a professional development seminar for avalanche workers, and a continuing education opportunity for recreationalists. NSAS is intended for ski patrollers, forecasters, ski guides, search and rescue teams, as well as any number of other occupations that occur on and around snow. The content of NSAS is relevant to professionals and recreationalists alike. The seminar is $40 through Brown Paper Tickets. It is on Saturday, October 24th, at the Seattle REI store.
Michael Jackson from ASAP is helping train snowmobilers to become avalanche awareness trainers. Would you like to become a trainer? Please contact Mick Steinman.
WSSA's Safety Trailer
If you are interested in reserving the safety trailer for an event near you, e.g., a safety class, a membership drive, a big snowmobile weekend, a county fair, etc., please contact Mick Steinman, Safety Chairman, at (425) 774-0790 to reserve the date.
To see where the safety trailer is headed next, visit WSSA's Calendar or contact Mick Steinman.
Safe Riders! Snowmobile Safety Awareness Program.
Test Your Snowmobile Safety Knowledge!
Know before you go, make safety a habit!
Contact the Northwest Weather and Avalanche Center for the daily forecast
www.nwac.us or 206-526-6677
or on your Web enabled Mobile phone or PDA http://www.nwac.us/mobile/