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View Full Version : 2006-12-16 Chauvin Avi I Course

Rider.Steve
12-18-2006, 07:06 AM
A brief summary of a fun and very useful weekend:

Attended the Chauvin Guides AVI 1 course this weekend with Seeker and Boardman. The course was very well put together. Marc Chauvin instructed the classroom day on saturday with great enthusiasm. Marc was joined by Jay Philbrick for the field day on sunday. On sunday we hiked up the TR trail to Hojos and did some rescue search and scenarios on the Sherburne trail for a few hours, returning to the Joe Dodge for followup at day end.

Here is Boardman representing during a stop on the TR trail:

http://inlinethumb51.webshots.com/1330/2954606850095000425S500x500Q85.jpg (http://sports.webshots.com/photo/2954606850095000425PotXNh)

The situation in Ravine is quite sad, with approximately 4 inches of melting snow base at Hojos while we were there. The Bowl was completely socked in with fog during the course and the winds were strong, so we did not venture there for lack of benefit to the class.

Interesting folks taking the class, including Caretaker Chris and two volunteers from Stowe Mountain Rescue.

Here's a shot of the SMR folks, Chris (2nd from left) and Seeker (far right):http://inlinethumb04.webshots.com/579/2423226520095000425S500x500Q85.jpg (http://sports.webshots.com/photo/2423226520095000425ETcjyW)

Be sure to say hello to Chris when you visit the ravine, and remember that he is fond of Guiness and Fosters Extra Bitter Ale. Chris said that he will be working in the Ravine until the end of May.

Hijinks at the Brett's on friday and saturday night were like M@ said - super fun and great to meet new members on the Board.

Reader.Steve
boardman
12-18-2006, 08:27 AM
I'll second Rider.Steve on Chauvin. Just a very energetic and enthusiastic guy. Made an 8+ hour class seem not nearly that long. It was clear the guys really enjoys what he does and takes the stuff seriously. And based on what we learned this weekend, I'm convinced that we really did not miss anything of importance because of the lack of snowpack

I had a great time meeting some kicka$$ denizens of this forum (Affix, Scottie, NTrent, Rider.Steve, M@, RR, skilasnow, Elwood, Seeker - am I forgetting anbody?). The Brett's was all I had heard it was - just a great place to hang with a bunch of cool peeps.

I'm looking forward to a TR from the EMS/T4T course guys, who apparently, from what I can remember (I was awoken slightly by their clamor when they came and went; I had turned in early since I had to be up at 6am and hike into the Ravine the next day), hatched a, shall we say, substance-fueled plan to skin up Attitash in the dark and slide down. Sounded like great fun!

Special thanks to skilasnow (and his fellow Brett's members) for the generous hospitality!

P.S. - Scottie, remember, you're "Sandy" now!
scottie4183
12-18-2006, 11:50 AM
P.S. - Scottie, remember, you're "Sandy" now!

Yeah....don't quite know how to change my name on here....or how i really got that name to begin with but sure.

I think officially it was sandyV...people will think i'm a chick. This could suck!!
Seeker
12-18-2006, 12:35 PM
Great weekend and excellent course. Marc Chauvin certainly deserves his reputation of excellence, and Jay Philbrick was a great addition on the second day. Our group was terrific too--most everyone took the information very seriously. I can't say the last time I took a class that I found so interesting.

Great to meet Chris the new caretaker and Boardman too!

I have a couple of (more in focus ;) ) pics I'll post later.
Affix Snow
12-18-2006, 12:48 PM
HA!

SandyV!!!!!!

Nice call Boardman!!!!!
PWDR8S
12-18-2006, 12:52 PM
Sounds like a worthy investment of your time.... Great! :D

I liked the Chauvin class last year and I'm thrilled that others are getting the Avi savvy.
NtrentT
12-19-2006, 12:19 PM
Sounds like your class was pretty good !

Ours was HUNGOVER! Most of us were hurt'n - I KNOW I WAS.

Attitash was great, and substance filled.

Cant see the pics now, cause the dumb school I work for blocks the photo host.
boardman
12-19-2006, 02:05 PM
Sounds like your class was pretty good !

Ours was HUNGOVER! Most of us were hurt'n - I KNOW I WAS.

Attitash was great, and substance filled.

Cant see the pics now, cause the dumb school I work for blocks the photo host.

I can't see the pics at work either, probably cause of the dumb government I work for . . . I'll try at home tonight.