Tahoe Nordic Search & Rescue, Inc. Tahoe Nordic Search & Rescue, Inc.
Training

The Tahoe Nordic Search and Rescue Team holds several training sessions every month throughout the autumn, winter, and spring. Training exercises vary from the ubiquitous terrain familiarization to first aid, avalanche safety or backcountry navigation. The Team trainings are designed to be fun and informative and all Team members are encouraged to attend.

Wondering what to bring? Check out a suggested Gear List.

If you provide a training, or otherwise require a reimbursement from TNSAR (for lunch subsidy, equipment purchase, etc), please use this form for reimbursement.

The following were the TNSAR trainings for the 2006 - 2007 season.

OCTOBER 1 (Sun) -- MT. ROSE HIKE

  • Where: Mt. Rose
  • When: 8:15am Garage; 8:30am Across from Safeway
  • Contact: Bernie Mellor (use current callout list for phone #)

Join Bernie for a great day hike up around Mt.Rose. Don't forget your water.

OCTOBER 5 (Thu) -- EQUIPMENT TRAINING

  • Where: Garage
  • When: 6:30pm Garage
  • Contact: Dirk Shoonmaker (use current callout list for phone #)

Dirk will run us through the truck's equipment and how it all works. Dress warm.

OCTOBER 14 (Sat) -- SNOW PEAK HIKE

  • Where: Snow Peak
  • When: 8:15am Garage; 8:30am Across from Safeway
  • Contact: Mike Kennett (use current callout list for phone #)

Even though we rarely venture there for searches, it's still a great moderate hike.

OCTOBER 22 (Sun) -- POWDERHORN HIKE

  • Where: Barker Pass
  • When: 8:00am Garage
  • Contact: Jim Reinstra (use current callout list for phone #)

Jim will lead us from Barker Pass down the Powderhorn trail and up and over the five lakes trail. A beautiful Autumn hike. Call Jim for shuttle details.

OCTOBER 28 (Sat) -- DONNER TO SQUAW

  • Where: PCT
  • When: 7:30am Garage; 8:15am PCT Trailhead
  • Contact: Gerald Rockwell (use current callout list for phone #)

A plethora of fantastic views will abound us on our hike from Donner to Squaw Valley. A stout hike for everyone involved. Check out the pictures.

NOVEMBER 4 (Sat) -- FIRST AID TRAINING

  • Where: Squaw Valley Fire Dpt.(new)
  • When: 8:00am Squaw Valley Fire Dpt.(new)
  • Contact: Mike Kennett (use current callout list for phone #)

This will be a two day training Nov 4th & 5th in wilderness first aid and will be taught by Sue Purvis from Crested Butte Outdoors. Check out the pictures.

NOVEMBER 9 (Thu) -- COM VAN INTRODUCTION

  • Where: Burton Creek Sherrif Station
  • When: 6:30pm Burton Creek Sherrif Station
  • Contact: Jimmy Smith (use current callout list for phone #)

Join Jimi for a introduction to our Com Van and all it's functions

NOVEMBER 11 (Sat) -- MOCK SEARCH

  • Where: Donner Summit
  • When: 8:30am Team Garage; 9:00am Wild Cherries
  • Contact: Dave Olsen (use current callout list for phone #)

A plane has crashed on Donner Summit and we are called out. Tensions are high. What are we going to do? Join Dave as we search for a old wreck up on the Summit.

NOVEMBER 15 (Wed) -- INTRO TO GPS

  • Where: Page Meadows
  • When: 6:00pm Team Gagage; 6:30pm Page Meadows
  • Contact: Bernie Mellor (use current callout list for phone #)

Bernie (master of technology) Mellor will show us how to use modern GPSs in a great location. Dress warm!

NOVEMBER 19 (Sun) -- MT. ROSE TERRAIN FAMILIARIZATION

  • Where: Mt. Rose area
  • When: 8:00am Team Gagage; 8:30am Across from Safeway
  • Contact: Jeff Devries (use current callout list for phone #)

May the gods(or godesses) bless us with snow by then, but Jeff will lead us on a great terrain familiarization regardless.

NOVEMBER 30 (Thu) -- COM VAN MOCK SEARCH

  • Where: Team Garage
  • When: 6:30pm Team Garage
  • Contact: Jimmy Smith (use current callout list for phone #)

The Com Van will be used in a small mock search utilizing all the radios and equipment. Skiers are urged to attend.

DECEMBER 3 (Sun) -- DEEP CREEK AND BEYOND

  • Where: Deep Creek hwy 89
  • When: 8:00am Team Garage; 8:30am Deep creek trail head
  • Contact: Karen Honeywell (use current callout list for phone #)

Join Karen on a great tour up into the basin of many surrounding peaks.

DECEMBER 4 (Mon) -- WINTER INJURY SPORTS MEDICINE SYMPOSIUM

  • Where: Resort at Squaw Creek
  • When: 3:00pm Resort at Squaw Creek
  • Contact: 587-3769 for info and a s (use current callout list for phone #)

The Resort is hosting the Winter Injury Sports Medicine Symposium. The Symposium is free for TNSAR members with an OES card, and will include dinner and a raffle drawing.

DECEMBER 9 (Sat) -- ANNUAL POLE CREEK PILGRIMAGE

  • Where: Pole Creek Hwy 89
  • When: 8:00am Pole Creek Trailhead
  • Contact: Doug Read (use current callout list for phone #)

Doug has a reservation for Friday night at the Bradley Hutte; the real training shall commence in the morning. If you can't make it Friday meet at the Pole Creek trailhead Saturday (12/9) at 8am. Bring a lunch and be prepared for some surprises.

DECEMBER 14 (Thu) -- RESCUE SCENARIOS

  • Where: Team Garage
  • When: 6:30pm Team Garage
  • Contact: Steve Hoyt (use current callout list for phone #)

Steve will present a short course on rescue scenarios. Be prompt!

DECEMBER 16 (Sat) -- CASTLE PEAK

  • Where: Castle Peak
  • When: 7:30am Team Garage; 8:15am Wild Cherries
  • Contact: Steve Reynaud (use current callout list for phone #)

Steve will explore the Castle Peak environs and beyond.

DECEMBER 18 (Mon) -- MAP AND COMPASS

  • Where: Team Garage
  • When: 6:30pm Team Garage
  • Contact: Steve Twomey (use current callout list for phone #)

Steve will present an evening refresher course for map and compass skills.

JANUARY 8 (Mon) -- TERRAIN FAMILIARIZATION

  • Where: Squaw Valley and Beyond
  • When: 7:15am Team Garage; 7:45am Cable Car
  • Contact: Peter York (use current callout list for phone #)

Always a pleasure to access this area via Squaw lifts. Pictures from Mark and Brian York!

JANUARY 10 (Wed) -- GPS AND BEACON PRACTICE

  • Where: Tahoe Cross Country
  • When: 6:30pm Team Garage; 7:00pm Tahoe Cross Country - Doller Hill
  • Contact: Scott Shane (use current callout list for phone #)

We always can use practice with these much needed and used pieces of equipment.

JANUARY 16 (Tue) -- HIGH-ANGLE RESCUE (PART 1)

  • Where: Team Garage
  • When: 6:30pm Team Garage
  • Contact: Dave Hopp (use current callout list for phone #)

We haven't had access to a training like this in a long time. Come learn the basics in a classroom type setting. This will be followed up with practical training exercises.

JANUARY 18 (Thu) -- COMM. VAN 101

  • Where: Burton Creek Sheriff Substation
  • When: 6:30pm Sheriff Substation
  • Contact: Jimmy Smith (use current callout list for phone #)

This is an introduction to how the Comm. van operates. This piece of equipment is an invaluable resource for the team. This is an excellent way to get involved with the team without being a skier. Skiers are encouraged to attend.

JANUARY 21 (Sun) -- HIGH-ANGLE RESCUE (PART 2)

  • Where: Coldstream Canyon
  • When: 7:45am Team Garage; 9:00am Donner gas station, 8:45 Judah lift
  • Contact: David Hopp (use current callout list for phone #)

The practical side of high angle rescue. Come prepared for a cold long day. We will put our new knowledge to work in a vertical setting. Pictures!

JANUARY 24 (Wed) -- WATER RESCUE

  • Where: KB Fire Station
  • When: 6:30pm KB Fire Station
  • Contact: Scott Baumgardner (use current callout list for phone #)

The do's and Don'ts of water type rescues and more. We will cover how to stay safe when helping others in a crisis.

JANUARY 28 (Sun) -- TERRAIN FAMILIARIZATION

  • Where: Alpine Meadows Ski Area
  • When: 7:30am Team Garage; 8:00am Ski Patrol Building
  • Contact: Sara Barrett (use current callout list for phone #)

Let's explore the in's and out's of Alpine Meadows. This is popular search terrain and the chance to do some skiing. You have to call in advance to join in on this one.

JANUARY 30 (Tue) -- COMM VAN 201

  • Where: Team Garage
  • When: 6:30pm Team Garage
  • Contact: Jimmy Smith (use current callout list for phone #)

This is a follow up for Comm. Van 101. Learn how it is used during an actual search. A mock search will be coordinated by everyone who attends. Since we haven't had any searches lately, some practice is good for us.

FEBRUARY 5 (Mon) -- TERRAIN FAMILIARIZATION

  • Where: W. Shore and Beyond
  • When: 7:30am Team Garage
  • Contact: Joe Pace (use current callout list for phone #)

An all day adventure cruising the hills on the Westshore of Lake Tahoe. Call ahead

FEBRUARY 7 (Wed) -- CANCELLED(RESCUE SCENARIOS)

  • Where: na
  • When: pm na
  • Contact: na (use current callout list for phone #)

This training has been CANCELLED. Sorry for the short notice.

FEBRUARY 11 (Sun) -- AVALANCHE SCENARIO

  • Where: Castle Peak
  • When: 7:30am Team Garage; 8:00am Wild Cherries Coffee in Truckee.
  • Contact: Russ Viehmann (use current callout list for phone #)

Come ski up into the ever popular Donner Summit area with an avalanche scenario to practice those all important avalanche rescue skills. Pictures!

FEBRUARY 13 (Tue) -- TECHNOLOGY NIGHT

  • Where: Squaw Valley Fire Dept.(new)
  • When: 6:00pm Squaw Valley Fire Dept.(new)
  • Contact: Brian York (use current callout list for phone #)

This ties together and explains all the electronic gizmos we use during a search. Bring your laptop computers.

FEBRUARY 13 (Tue) -- TECHNOLOGY NIGHT

  • Where: Squaw Valley Fire Dept.(new)
  • When: 6:00pm Squaw Valley Fire Dept.(new)
  • Contact: Brian York (use current callout list for phone #)

This ties together and explains all the electronic gizmos we use during a search. Bring your laptop computers.

FEBRUARY 22 (Thu) -- TERRAIN FAMILIARIZATION

  • Where: W. Shore and Beyond
  • When: 7:30am Team Garage
  • Contact: Steve Reynaud (use current callout list for phone #)

Another all day adventure on the Westshore of Lake Tahoe exploring the mountains. This training was pushed back one day from the original posting.

FEBRUARY 25 (Sun) -- TERRAIN FAMILIARIZATION

  • Where: Sugar Bowl to the Cedars
  • When: 7:30am Team Garage; 8:15am Sugar Bowl - Judah parking
  • Contact: Tony Bochene (use current callout list for phone #)

All snow capable machines and skiers are encouraged to attend. This will involve the coordination of the various teams in a search type atmosphere.

MARCH 8 (Thu) -- COMM VAN 101

  • Where: Burton Cr Sheriff Sub Station
  • When: 6:30pm Burton Creek
  • Contact: Jimmy Smith (use current callout list for phone #)

The Comm. van is an important link for a successful search. Come learn the basics of how the radios and computer in the van work. This is the fastest way to participate in an actual search.

MARCH 15 (Thu) -- COMM VAN 210

  • Where: Team Garage
  • When: 6:30pm Team Garage
  • Contact: Jimmy Smith (use current callout list for phone #)

This training will NOT be held unless people call and sign-up. This will probably be cancelled. Call ahead.

MARCH 17 (Sat) -- TERRAIN FAMILIARIZATION

  • Where: Anderson Peak
  • When: 7:30am Team Garage; 8:15am Judah parking- Sugarbowl
  • Contact: Mike Le Francois (use current callout list for phone #)

From Sugarbowl, we will make our way toward Anderson Peak, the home of the Benson Hut. We will expore the safe way to this popular hut along the ridge from Sugarbowl.

MARCH 18 (Sun) -- SNOWMOBILE TEAM TRAINING

  • Where: Tahoe City and Beyond
  • When: 8:30am TNSAR Garage
  • Contact: TJ Johnson or Brian York (use current callout list for phone #)

All Snowmobile Team Members are encouraged to attend. We will ride between Tahoe City and Riffle Peak. Plan on a full day.

MARCH 20 (Tue) -- SNOWMOBILE TEAM TRAINING - SKILLS DAY CANCELLED

  • Where: Tahoe City
  • When: 8:00am TNSAR Garage
  • Contact: TJ Johnson or Brian York (use current callout list for phone #)

Must contact TJ or Brian to attend. CANCELLED due to lack of snow!

MARCH 31 (Sat) -- SNOWMOBILE TEAM TRAINING

  • Where: TBD
  • When: 8:00am TBD
  • Contact: TJ Johnson or Brian York (use current callout list for phone #)

All Snowmobile Team Members encouraged to attend. Location of ride will be determined by snowpack. Check back for updates.

The goal of TNSAR is to conduct fast and safe rescues, and to help educate the public on winter safety. If you would like to help TNSAR in this cause, please use the following PayPal donate link. Thanks!

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