APP's Mid-Winter 2016 Blasting Seminar 

was held on Wednesday, February 24 and Thursday February 25 at Alpine Meadows ski area in California. 

The Seminar was open to professional and volunteer patrollers and provided avalanche blasting education through a combination of classroom and field sessions.  This was an ideal opportunity for explosives/blasting education, delivered by industry professionals. The quality of training was of the highest standard, and it was beneficial for both beginning practitioners as well as professional mitigation blasters.  This class also served as a prerequisite for individuals who do not possess blasting experience, and wish to take the APP Explosives practical test.  

There were presentations from a lot of the Alpine Meadows and Squaw Valley Patrol Management

o    Brian Slusser – Director of Avalanche Control, Alpine Meadows

o    Ken Bokelund – Ski Patrol Director, Alpine Meadows

o    Gene Urie – Avalanche Forecaster, Alpine Meadows

o    Will Paden – Director of Avalanche Control, Squaw Valley

o    Steve Hurt – Assistant Director Ski Patrol, Squaw Valley

o    Larry Heywood – past Patrol Director and Mountain Manager at Alpine Meadows and current Snow Safety Consultant.

Photos from the clinic submitted by Mike Nolen:

Clinic Participants

Gas-Ex installation with Steve Hurt

Ken Bokelund, discusses Avalauncher

Gene Urie, Forecaster with route sheet library

Brian Slusser, Director with magazines

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Registration for Current APP-Members: $100.00  / after 2/19 price goes to $125

Non-Current/Non-APP Members: $150.00 / after 2/19 price goes to $175

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Agenda

Wednesday, February 24^th

8:00AM – 9:00AM: Registration and Tickets – Video Room Alpine Meadows

9:00AM – 9:15AM: CLASSROOM Introductory Remarks from the Association of Professional Patrollers with Association of Professional Patrollers Board Member, Vice Presider/Criteria Coordinator, Michael Nolen

9:15AM – 10:15AM: CLASSROOM Explosives Products Used in the Ski Industry with Bob Heflin, Association of Professional Patrollers Board Member and Taos Ski Valley Patroller

10:30AM – 12:00PM: CLASSROOM Avalanche Operating Environments of Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows with Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows Ski Patrol – Panel Discussion

LUNCH: 12:00PM -1:00PM

1:00PM - 2:30PM: FIELD Route Safety and Blast Point Procedures with Brian Slusser, Director of Avalanche Control, Alpine Meadows Ski Patrol

2:30PM – 3:30PM: FIELD: Avalauncher Walk Through with Brian Slusser, Alpine Meadows

3:30PM – 4:30PM: CLASSROOM (Patrol Room) Avalanche Forecasting at Alpine Meadows with Gene Urie, Avalanche Forecaster, Alpine Meadows Ski Patrol

4:30PM – 5:15PM: CLASSROOM Risk Management in Avalanche Mitigation Blasting with Bob Heflin

6:00PM to…..SOCIAL – River Ranch (at the base of the Alpine Meadows Road and Hwy 89)

Thursday, February 25^th

9:00AM - 10:15AM: CLASSROOM Explosives Effects on Snow and Avalanche Release with Larry Heywood, Snow and Ski Safety Consultant5:00PM – 5:15PM: CLASSROOM Wrap-Up and Evaluation5:00PM – 5:15PM: CLASSROOM Wrap-Up and Evaluation

10:15AM – 11:00AM: CLASSROOM Cal OSHA Snow Avalanche Blasting General Industry Safety Orders/NSAA Guidelines with Brian Slusser

11:00AM - 12:00PM: CLASSROOM Handling Misfires and Duds with Alpine Meadows Ski Patrol (video) and Bob Heflin

LUNCH: 12:00PM -12:30PM

12:30PM – 2:30PM: FIELD Gas-X installation in the Headwall area at Squaw Valley with Will Patton, Squaw Valley Ski Patrol

2:30PM – 3:30PM: FIELD Howitzer Walk Through with Ken Bokelund, Ski Patrol Director, Alpine Meadows Ski Patrol  - 
NO PHOTOGRAPHY

3:30PM – 5:00PM: FIELD Storage and Handling – Ski around and visit magazines with Alpine Meadows Ski Patrol

5:00PM – 5:15PM: CLASSROOM Wrap-Up and Evaluation

Area/Lodging Information

Truckee and North Lake Tahoe

Reno, Nevada. Reno is about one hour from Alpine Meadow

Contact

For questions/more information:

Association of Professional Patrollers (APP) website:  www.propatrollers.org

Michael Nolen (APP Board):  erntrns@netptc.net, cellular: 559-908-5015

Bob Heflin (APP Board): turbobob@newmex.com, cellular: (575) 613-0685

Brian Slusser – Director of Avalanche Control, Alpine Meadows: bslusser@skialpine.com, cellular: (530) 386-0525

Click Here to Register today so that your spot is reserved and you can take advantage of the early registration discount.

Curious about other APP clinics/events that are scheduled for 2016? Visit this page.

Not an APP member or you have not paid your 2015-2016 membership fees? Go to this page for more information and to pay safely and securely, online.