Refreshed, revitalized, and “shelled-up,” we will move to an adjacent, steep slope and learn the “Hows” and “Whys” of movement over inclined snow.

1. The constant state of circumspective, environmental awareness for risk identification to prevent overexposure and injury
2. The required need for Flotation, Balance, and Traction (two poles, microspikes, hiking-crampons, snowshoes – when each are used)
3. The difference between a snow-hiker and a snow-climber, scenarios and needs explained
4. Ascent Skills for the snow-hiker, explained, demonstrated, and practiced individually:
   1. “Edging” with hard-soled footwear without traction aides
   2. Traversing while balanced with two poles to prevent falls
   3. Traversing with an ice axe as an anchor for snow-hikers, benefits and hazards
   4. Kicking, scratching, and testing flat footholds to stand on and move from
   5. Performing a “switchback” turn on inclined snow while balanced
   6. Ascending with the help of traction aides (Microspikes or hiking-crampons)
   7. Stepping in another’s footprints, the benefits and hazards
   8. Rocks and boulders in the way, benefits and hazards
   9. Bushes and trees sticking through the snow, benefits and hazards
   10. The basics of Self-Belaying with axe straight up an incline, technique, benefits, hazards
   11. “Summit Fever” and going where you shouldn’t or can’t
5. Descent Skills for the snow-hiker, explained, demonstrated, and practiced individually:
   1. Glissading under control and at-the-ready, benefits and hazards
   2. Heel-Plunge technique, benefits and hazards
   3. Descending traverse (both directions), heel-plunge-edging while balanced and ready
   4. Descending with one pole and an ice axe, benefits and hazards
   5. Descending with one pole and SA Pole, benefits and hazards
6. Self-Arrest (with ice axe or self-arrest pole tools):
   1. Concept, principles of execution,
   2. “The Position;” standing position practiced; length of ice axe, benefits and hazards
   3. The functional differences between deploying an ice axe and a self-arrest pole, benefits and hazards
   4. “First Position,” seated, legs straight, heels up, crampons off, SA tool at the ready
      1. Two techniques of tool initiation and deployment, benefits and hazards
      2. Demonstration and Practice
   5. “Likely Position,” on-back, head downhill, SA tool at the ready
      1. Two techniques of tool initiation and deployment, benefits and hazards
      2. Demonstration and Practice
   6. “Real Position,” the fall while traversing and the ensuing tumble
      1. Assuming “The Position” of power and control any way you can
      2. Attaining and losing “The Position,” then fighting for it and getting it, again
      3. Demonstration and Practice
   7. Falling and Self-Arresting with a backpack
      1. Demonstration and Practice

These skills will be, first, explained, then demonstrated one step at a time on an inclined snow slope nearby so you can see how they’re done and why. Next, we individually practice each step with your instructor watching, personally guiding, and demonstrating as needed until you “get the feel” of when that skill is done right.

Snow safety skills are not difficult to master as we break them down into short movements so they’re easier to see, understand, and accomplish!