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 2018 - 2019 season.

OCTOBER 6 (Sat) -- RUBICON PEAK HIKE

  • Where: Rubicon Peak
  • When: 8:30am Team Garage; 9:00am Rubicon water tower
  • Contact: Russ Viehmann /1(use current callout list for phone #)

Come out for a three hour tour of the trail up Rubicon Peak. Great views from the rocky summit

OCTOBER 8 (Mon) -- BELAYING AND ROPE ESSENTIALS

  • Where: TNSAR Garage
  • When: 5:30pm
  • Contact: Devin Hiemstra (use current callout list for phone #)

A session pertaining to belaying and other rope work with team president, Devin Hiemstra. Bring anything climbing related you would normally use on a search as well as a harness and belay device.

OCTOBER 12 (Fri) -- OHV TRAINING

  • Where: Pole Creek
  • When: 7:30am Team Garage; 8:00am pole creek parking lot
  • Contact: Scott Baumgardner /1(use current callout list for phone #)

Come out for a classic "lost guy" scenario. Map and compass, GPS and radio skills will be covered. Bring your 4x4, quad, moto, or side by side, Maybe we can get Jesse out with his Ural and sidecar

OCTOBER 17 (Wed) -- GARAGE/TRUCK ORIENTATION

  • Where: Tahoe City
  • When: 6:00pm Team Garage
  • Contact: Andrew Osterreicher (use current callout list for phone #)

Join Andrew for a a primer on the organization of the Team Truck and Garage.

OCTOBER 20 (Sat) -- CALIFORNIA AVALANCHE WORKSHOP

  • Where: Kings Beach
  • When: 9:00am North Tahoe Events Center
  • Contact: Jeff DeVries (use current callout list for phone #)

The 5th Annual California Avalanche Workshop is a pre-season gathering of snow travelers to share knowledge, learn, laugh, and network. This seminar is modeled after the International Snow Science Workshop and other regional one-day snow and avalanche workshops throughout the west. The workshop will feature diverse speakers from different sectors of the winter sports industry. Now in Placer County! Register at: https://www.sierraavalanchecenter.org/caw

OCTOBER 21 (Sun) -- GROUSE ROCK HIKE

  • Where: grouse rock
  • When: 8:30am Team Garage
  • Contact: Neil Morse /1(use current callout list for phone #)

Hike grouse rock in the fall Colors!

OCTOBER 27 (Sat) -- POWDERHORN CREEK TO FIVE LAKES

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

Join Training Co-coordinator Jeff DeVries for a splendid jaunt in the Powderhorn Creek drainage all the way to Five Lakes. Navigation, socialization, and terrain familiarization will be focused upon in an often searched zone off the backsides of Squaw and Alpine.

NOVEMBER 5 (Mon) -- BEACON PRACTICE

  • Where: Tahoe City
  • When: 5:30pm Granlibakken Ski Hut
  • Contact: Devin Hiemstra (use current callout list for phone #)

Come early to the next Team Meeting and run through an informal beacon course set up by Pro Patroller and Team President extraordinaire Devin Hiemstra. A good opportunity to practice and try out some new beacons.

NOVEMBER 6 (Tue) -- NIGHTTIME NAVIGATION

  • Where: Paige Meadows
  • When: 6:00pm End of Sivertip
  • Contact: Mark Johnson (use current callout list for phone #)

Time to brush up on your GPS and and map reading with Mark in a workshop focusing on real world navigation skills in the oft searched Paige Meadows locale...

NOVEMBER 10 (Sat) -- TERRAIN FAMILIARIZATION - 5 LAKES

  • Where: 5 Lakes Creek
  • When: 8:00am Team Garage
  • Contact: Sara Carbonari (use current callout list for phone #)

Join Sara for a day of navigation and terrain familiarization in the 5 Lakes and Hanging Lake zone.

DECEMBER 8 (Sat) -- SNOWCAT HOW TO

  • Where: team garage
  • When: 10:00am Team Garage
  • Contact: Scott Meyer /1(use current callout list for phone #)

Dry and hopefully wetland training for all those who want a heated cab for their winter searching. Everyone welcome

DECEMBER 12 (Wed) -- TMS AVY NIGHT

  • Where: Alibi brewery Truckee
  • When: 6:30pm Alibi Brewery
  • Contact: Devin Heimstra /1(use current callout list for phone #)

Bring your beacon and avy pack for the Avy night and raffle at Alibi Brewery. Proceeds benifit TNSAR

DECEMBER 16 (Sun) -- CASTLE PEAK TERRAIN FAMILIARIZATION

  • Where: Castle peak
  • When: 8:00am Team Garage; 8:15am Wild cherries
  • Contact: Jen Calahan /1(use current callout list for phone #)

Come out for a ski and beacon training in the Castle Peak area. Bring a lunch

DECEMBER 17 (Mon) -- COORDINATORS TRAINING

  • Where: Burton Creek SO
  • When: 6:30pm Burton Creek SO
  • Contact: Matt Jacobs /1(use current callout list for phone #)

Location TBD, PUD conference room or station 51 depending on availability. We will cover the callout process, the team's new paging system, and work on getting people properly setup with everbridge

DECEMBER 21 (Fri) -- CANCELLED--2 DAY AVALANCHE TRAINING OPTION 1

  • Where: TBD
  • When: 8:00am TBD
  • Contact: Scott Meyer /1(use current callout list for phone #)

The first available dates for the team avi training. Stay tuned

DECEMBER 21 (Fri) -- TERRAIN FAMILIARIZATION- ALPINE MEADOWS

  • Where: Five Lakes Creek
  • When: 7:30am Team Garage
  • Contact: Scott Meyer /1(use current callout list for phone #)

back side of Alpine - Grouse creek - Big Springs - Exit Five Lakes - And or direct back up to Summit depending on how many sign up

DECEMBER 22 (Sat) -- TERRAIN FAMILIARIZATION- SUGAR BOWL

  • Where: Sugar Bowl
  • When: 7:30am Team Garage
  • Contact: Scott Meyer /1(use current callout list for phone #)

Check out the backcountry around Sugar Bowl. Possible snowmobile/ Snowcat involvement if we're lucky!

JANUARY 5 (Sat) -- GSR TRAIL TRIMMING, TERRAIN FAMILIARIZATION,

  • Where: Tahoe XC
  • When: 8:30am tahoe xc
  • Contact: Dirk Schoonmaker /1(use current callout list for phone #)

come trim some trees on Extra Gold. Work necessary for the GSR

JANUARY 9 (Wed) -- RESCHEDULED--PATIENT PACKAGING/ TRANSPORT OPTIONS

  • Where: Team Garage
  • When: 5:30pm Team garage
  • Contact: Russ Viehmann /1(use current callout list for phone #)

Come out Wednesday evening for a quick seminar on packaging and transport, topics covered will be vacuum splint, patient immobilization, sled usage and limitations. Be prepared for over snow travel, skiis, warm jacket, etc

JANUARY 10 (Thu) -- RUBICON AND BEYOND

  • Where: Rubicon peak
  • When: 7:30am Team Garage
  • Contact: Paul Honeywell /1(use current callout list for phone #)

Ski the big trees and wide spaces of Rubicon peak, terrain familiarization and team dynamics the course of the day. Rumors of stony ridge and crag peak abound

JANUARY 12 (Sat) -- WEST SHORE SKI AND SNOW SCIENCE

  • Where: west shore somewhere
  • When: 7:30am Team Garage
  • Contact: Andrew Coburn /1(use current callout list for phone #)

Ski the west shore with a sharp eye on the snowpack, exact location TBD, bring your snow science tools, a warm jacket for the pit, and a lunch

JANUARY 16 (Wed) -- SUNNYSIDE TACO NIGHT

  • Where: Sunnyside
  • When: 4:30pm Team Garage
  • Contact: Brad Altman /1(use current callout list for phone #)

Need volunteers for The Taco night 4:30-8pm

JANUARY 22 (Tue) -- AVALANCHE MECHANICS- NIGHT TRAINING - CHANGED

  • Where: TBA
  • When: 6:30pm Team Garage
  • Contact: Geoff Quine /1(use current callout list for phone #)

Come out on a Tuesday evening for beacon practice, a flagging demonstration, shoveling races and more

JANUARY 26 (Sat) -- 2 DAY AVALANCHE TRAINING OPTION 2

  • Where: TBD
  • When: 8:00am TBD
  • Contact: Scott Meyer /1(use current callout list for phone #)

second option of dates for team avi training, stay tuned

FEBRUARY 2 (Sat) -- DEEEEP CREEK!

  • Where: deep creek
  • When: 7:30am Team Garage; 8:00am Deep Creek
  • Contact: Sarah Krammen (use current callout list for phone #)

Join one of our newest A-Skiers for a full day of terrain familiarization, navigation, and avi awareness. Come prepared for inclement weather

FEBRUARY 9 (Sat) -- SUGAR BOWL TO SQUAW

  • Where: Sierra Crest
  • When: 7:00am Team Garage
  • Contact: Troy Corliss (use current callout list for phone #)

Join Troy for a classic Tahoe tour. Come prepared for a big day, as this is a 13 mile hike in the summer.

FEBRUARY 17 (Sun) -- POSTPONED DUE TO INSTRUCTOR SCHEDULE CONFLICT. STAY TUNED!ALPINE HIGH ANGLE PRER

  • Where: team garage
  • When: 9:00am Team Garage
  • Contact: Russ Viehmann (use current callout list for phone #)

Indoor class pre-requisite for high angle class on March 23,24. Topics will be Knots, simple ropework, patient packaging for vertical lifts

MARCH 3 (Sun) -- GREAT SKI RACE

  • Where: Tahoe city and truckee
  • When: 6:00am Tahoe XC to Cottonwoods
  • Contact: Dirk Schoonmaker /1(use current callout list for phone #)

Everybody should find a job to volunteer for the GSR. Those that don't volunteer have to buy their own beer at the meetings next year!!

MARCH 4 (Mon) -- GSR AND GARAGE CLEANUP

  • Where: Tahoe City
  • When: 5:30pm Team Garage
  • Contact: Andrew Coburn (use current callout list for phone #)

Join Andrew to put the pieces back together after yet another Great Ski Race.

MARCH 9 (Sat) -- NORTHSTAR SNOWMOBILE TERRAIN FAMILIARIZATION

  • Where: 06 Corridor
  • When: 9:00am Thelin Road/06 Trailhead
  • Contact: Tim Bosse (use current callout list for phone #)

Bring a lunch and a full tank of fuel, will be riding the roads on the south side of Northstar, focusing on the 06 side and associated drainages. Study maps prior and familiarize yourself with: 06 power lines, Big Chief, Tahoe City Ice Caves, Sawtooth Ridge, Deer Creek, Robie Equestrian Center, Fiberboard, Watson Creek, and Watson Lake. Terrain traveled will be dictated by the team's riding skills and willingness to get into and out of tough terrain.

MARCH 11 (Mon) -- HIGH ANGLE PREREQUISITE

  • Where: PUD board room
  • When: 5:30pm PUD Board room
  • Contact: Russ Viehmann /1(use current callout list for phone #)

high angle prerequisite rescheduled, 5:30-8

MARCH 13 (Wed) -- SQUAW VALLEY TERRAIN FAMILIARIZATION

  • Where: Squaw Valley Ski Resort
  • When: 8:00am Coffee Bar Squaw
  • Contact: Matt Calcutt/Peter York (use current callout list for phone #)

Full day around the boundaries of Squaw learning the in's and out's of this iconic resort which has served up more than a few searches over the years.

MARCH 23 (Sat) -- ALPINE HIGH ANGLE RESCUE

  • Where: TBD
  • When: 8:00am Team Garage
  • Contact: Russ Viehmann (use current callout list for phone #)

Two day high angle rescue course in the alpine setting. Open to A Team searchers. Class to focus on lightweight simple rescue systems for extracations in the 40-70 degree range. Topics include; raise and lower systems, alpine anchors and belays, and patient packaging for the vertical environment. Participants must complete a pre-requisite course in knots, ropework and patient packaging. Call Russ Viehmann for any questions

MARCH 24 (Sun) -- ALPINE HIGH ANGLE RESCUE

  • Where: TBD
  • When: 8:00am Team Garage
  • Contact: Russ Viehmann (use current callout list for phone #)

Two day high angle rescue course in the alpine setting. Open to A Team searchers. Class to focus on lightweight simple rescue systems for extracations in the 40-70 degree range. Topics include; raise and lower systems, alpine anchors and belays, and patient packaging for the vertical environment. Participants must complete a pre-requisite course in knots, ropework and patient packaging. Call Russ Viehmann for any questions

MARCH 26 (Tue) -- NEW SNOWCAT TRAINING

  • Where: TBD
  • When: tbdam Team Garage
  • Contact: Scott Meyer or Ray Obrien (use current callout list for phone #)

Equipment familiarization of the new snowcat. Come learn how to operate the new cat. This ongoing training is open to A team searchers and snowcat drivers. Just call Scott or Ray and set up a private tutorial. FYI, This ongoing training session started in February and will continue through April

APRIL 13 (Sat) -- SQUAW TO SUGAR BOWL

  • Where: Sierra Crest
  • When: 7:00am Team Garage
  • Contact: Troy Corliss (use current callout list for phone #)

Join Troy for a classic Tahoe tour. Come prepared for a big day, as this is a 13 mile hike in the summer. Rescheduled from February.

MAY 1 (Wed) -- MT. SHASTA PREP

  • Where: Team Garage
  • When: 5:30am Team Garage
  • Contact: Andrew Oestrreicher (use current callout list for phone #)

Prep and plan the Mt. Shasta trip. bring pack and equipment you are going to use if you are unsure of what to bring

MAY 4 (Sat) -- MT. SHASTA TERRAIN FAMILIARIZATION- HIGH ALTITUDE TRAINING

  • Where: Mt. Shasta
  • When: 5:30pm TBD
  • Contact: Andrew Oestrreicher /1(use current callout list for phone #)

Join Andrew for an ascent of Mt. Shasta. Plan is to drive up on friday night and stay in Mt. Shasta City, Then ski up and down on Saturday and drive home. Operations up to 14,400 are a part of our Type 1 Nordic status so come on out

MAY 8 (Wed) -- ROPEWORK, KNOTS AND PATIENT PACKAGING

  • Where: Team Garage
  • When: 5:30am Team Garage
  • Contact: Russ Viehmann (use current callout list for phone #)

Open to all members, come learn ropework and patient packaging in the method taught by the high angle instructors earlier this year. We will be reviewing systems learned and teaching new members, bring prussiks, harnesses, and 22' of 1" webbing if available. Team has some equipment also.

SEPTEMBER 28 (Sat) -- SEPTEMBER SKI TRAINING

  • Where: castle peak
  • When: 7:30am Team Garage; 8:00am castle peak parking lot
  • Contact: Tim Bosse /1(use current callout list for phone #)

September 28th. Conditioning /beacon practice/terrain familiarization. Castle Peak parking lot at 8am. Bring hiking boots, ski gear, beacons, and a lunch. Full day of hiking with a heavy pack heading out to the snow patch on Basin Peak. 8 mile round trip hiking with ski gear on our backs to get on the snow. Plan on making a few crusty turns with a few crusty people. Hoping to be out by 3pm, so bring a headlamp. Do you want to show up to the first team meeting having already missed the fi

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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