Avalanche Safety Field Clinic Day Trip

Trips to be scheduled.

This clinic is a basic introduction to avalanche awareness and safety. Learn the 101 of snow science and avalanches in this class session and one-day field trip. We’ll snowshoe into the backcountry on scenic Mt. Hood to learn how to evaluate snow and terrain conditions, use avalanche transceivers, and practice rescue strategies. A mandatory 1.5 hour classroom session will introduce the concepts we will explore in the field. No previous experience needed!

How to Register

Registration Opens:

Friday January 19th, 2024

Trip Fee: $48/$24*

*We have a limited amount of scholarships available based on financial need. If you qualify, he trip fee is cut in half thanks to scholarship funding from ASB. We accept cash, checks, credit/debit cards, and apple/samsung/google pay. 

How to Sign Up:

To register for a trip, stop by the College Outdoors office in Fowler 239. We’re open Mon - Thur 9am-5pm, and Fridays 9am-3pm.

When trips are first posted on Fridays, you can write your name on the paper trip sign-up sheet to save your spot until the following Tuesday at 5pm. You can pay to secure your spot right away, or return to pay by that following Tuesday at 5pm. After that, all trips spots are first-paid, first-served.

Trip Type

  • Day Trip
  • Snowshoeing

Physical Demands

No experience necessary! This trip is a great option for anyone who wants to see some of Oregon’s natural wonders during the winter and learn some cool skills. We’ll plan to hike for 2-4 hours, with plenty of time to learn the skills take in the snowy scenery and admire Mt. Hood’s beauty. This trip will involve more uphill traverses then usual snowshoes, but does not require any experience.

Participants should be prepared to spend several hours outdoors walking on uneven an snowy terrain, carrying day packs, and walking up hills. This trip can make accessibility accommodations as needed. Contact outdoors@lclark.edu.

What to Expect

  • Sleeping indoors
  • Sleeping outdoors
  • Electricity
  • Wifi
  • Cell phone service
  • Heating
  • Beds
  • Bathrooms
  • Gender-inclusive bathrooms
  • Showers
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Food for any Dietary Restrictions

Amenities

Pre-Trip Meeting

College Outdoors trips have a Pre-Trip Meeting (PTM) prior to the trip to help you prepare, which takes place at the Sequoia warehouse on the Graduate Campus.

At this meeting you’ll meet the trip leaders and other participants, learn more about the trip activity, location, and schedule, and be given a packing list of everything you need for your trip. The trip leaders and Sequoia staff will then help you find and borrow anything on the packing list that you’d like to borrow. We have high-quality outdoor clothing and equipment, and it’s all free to use for your trip!

If you miss a Pre-Trip Meeting, check your email for important info you missed. 

Sequoia Warehouse

Sequoia is the College Outdoors warehouse, located on the Graduate Campus. Everything you’ll need is available for free when you come on a College Outdoors Trip. At Sequoia you will find:

  • Clothing needed for your trip, including any relevant outerwear and specialty items needed for the activity. Sizes range from XS - XXL and come in gendered an non-gendered designs. 
  • Gear needed for your trip, such as sleeping bags, backpacks, water bottles, and much much more.
  • Equipment such as tents, cookware, first-aid kits, and boats, which trip leaders will pack for each trip as needed.
  • Gender-neutral bathrooms, which can also be used as changing rooms.
  • Staff available to answer your questions.