by Keith and Heather Nicol
On March 4 and 5,
2014 we visited 2 schools in Western Newfoundland to do avalanche awareness presentations.
These presentations are generally to physical education classes and our first
visit was to Gros Morne Academy in Rocky Harbour on March 4th. We
gave two 1 hour presentations to a grade 10 and 12 class and we focused on
where avalanches have been seen in Gros Morne Park as well as what terrain and
snow factors are associated with avalanches. Each student received a handout
which summarized this information and we also showed several videos of people’s
experiences with avalanches in Gros Morne. We also demonstrated how avalanche
beacons work and stressed the importance of carrying a shovel and probe when
heading into avalanche terrain.
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| Talking to students at Gros Morne Academy in Rocky Harbour |
The next day (March
5th) we visited St. Peter’s Academy in Benoit’s Cove and we had
around 25 grade 8-9’s attend the talk. In addition looking at the main terrain
and snow factors that are associated with avalanches we also looked at where
avalanches have occurred just behind the school in the Blow me down Mountains. Two
students used the avalanche beacons to find one that was hidden in the
classroom and each student received an avalanche awareness handout.
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| A girl at St. Peter's Academy searches for a hidden beacon |
If you have a
school group or other group that would like a free 1 hour avalanche awareness
presentation then contact Keith Nicol at knicol@swgc.mun.ca.
In the past we have done these sessions for snowmobile groups, search
and
rescue teams and many others.Also if anyone is interested in taking a
Level 1 Avalanche Skills Training course then contact Keith Nicol at the
above email address. If you would like to see on line maps of where
avalanches have been seen in Western Newfoundland as well as other
information about avalanches see: http://www2.swgc.mun.ca/~knicol/ and click on the 2014 Avalanche Awareness Link.
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