Forest Service offers avalanche awareness workshop, field trips

In January the U.S. Forest Service will be offering an avalanche awareness workshop for backcountry users in Northwestern Montana.

The program consists of a series of four evening lectures and two Saturday field trips. The lectures, sponsored by the Summit Health & Fitness Center, are scheduled on Monday, Jan. 9, Wednesday, Jan. 11, Monday, Jan. 16 and Wednesday, Jan. 18. They will begin at 6:30 p.m., in conference rooms at the Summit Health & Fitness Center, 205 Sunnyview Ln., in Kalispell near the hospital. The field sessions will be Saturdays, Jan. 14 and 21.

Participants are encouraged to attend all sessions. The program is free of charge, no pre-registration is required, and people need only to show up at the door. Further information can be obtained by contacting Stan Bones, Flathead National Forest, during evenings at 837-6022.

This program has been developed due to growth on National Forest and Park Service lands of backcountry activity during winter months. It will be presented by advisors of the Avalanche Center and members of the Flathead Nordic Ski Patrol and is designed to provide the winter outdoor worker and recreationist with a basic understanding of snow avalanches.

Topics to be covered will be where, how, and when snow avalanches occur, how to recognize avalanche hazards and avoid accidents, what to do if you are caught in a snow slide, and how to perform an avalanche rescue.