UNIVERSITY OF OREGON - PE & REC - OUTDOOR PURSUITS PROGRAM
Snowcamping, Ski Touring & Avalanche Safety
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IMPORTANT NOTES FOR STUDENTS ENROLLED IN SNOWCAMPING, SKI TOURING OR AVALANCHE SAFETY OUTINGS:


1. WILDERNESS SURVIVAL is a prerequisite to participation in these courses. NO EXCEPTIONS!
2. Attendance at the first Preparation Course session (e.g. Snowcamping Preparation for Snowcamping 1 outing, etc.) during the first week of classes is REQUIRED. Students not in attendance at the first Preparation course session will be required to drop the course. Check the online schedule to determine when and where the specific Preparation course meets.
3. Please read our ATTENDANCE AND PARTICIPATION POLICIES before enrolling in a course!


NOTE: The avalanche safety and ski touring courses are offered every other year. Ski Touring Preparation and Outing will be offered in Winter Term 08 (but not Avalanche Safety). Avalanche Safety Preparation and Outing will be offered in Winter Term 09 (but not Ski Touring), etc.

PEOL 292 - Snowcamping Preparation

This course is designed to provide the information necessary for planning safe and enjoyable snowcamping trips in the Oregon Cascades. Topics include thermoregulation and clothing, equipment, local resources for information and equipment, minimum impact camping techniques, route selection and evaluation, avalanche safety, winter navigation, cold related injuries, snow shelter construction techniques and trip planning and preparation.
alpenglow on Broken Top
a view from inside a snow cave
PEOL 371 - Snowcamping 1 Outing

The purpose of this course is to apply the information presented and the knowledge gained during the Snow Camping Preparation class to a winter camping experience. The course emphasizes safe and responsible winter camping and travel techniques, snow shelter construction and backcountry routefinding in a winter environment. Particants MUST enroll in Snowcamping Preparation and attend the first preparation class session!

outing agenda

PEOL 294 - Ski Touring Preparation

Ski touring combines cross-country skiing and backpacking. This is a course designed to prepare students for participation in the three-day Ski Touring 1 outing. Topics include conditioning, thermoregulation and clothing, ski touring equipment, avalanche safety, waxing theory, map and compass review, winter camping techniques, cold-related injuries and trip planning and preparation.
image of cross-country skier
telemark turn

PEOL 381 - Ski Touring 1 Outing

Ski touring combines cross-country skiing and backpacking. This is a course designed to prepare students for participation in the three-day Ski Touring 1 outing. Topics include conditioning, thermoregulation and clothing, ski touring equipment, avalanche safety, waxing theory, map and compass review, winter camping techniques, cold-related injuries and trip planning and preparation. Particants MUST enroll in Ski Touring Preparation and attend the first preparation class session!

PEOL 296 - Avalanche Safety Preparation

This is the first in a two-course series designed to provide the information necessary for safe travel in avalanche prone terrain. "Avalanche Safety Preparation" consists of a series of lectures on weather, snow morphology, hazard evaluation, route selection, travel safety, equipment and rescue techniques.

LECTURE TOPICS
avalanche rescue scenario

PEOL 391 - Avalanche Safety Outing

All aspects of avalanche safety will be covered during this three-day outing, from route planning to rescue skills. The emphasis is on backcountry safety and hazard evaluation. You’ll have opportunities to practice probe and pit tests and conduct searches using avalanche probes and beacons.

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