For the third year, the Sheridan Community Land Trust is sponsoring a free avalanche training workshopfor those who want backcountry safety skills.
Avalanches have killed 35 people in Wyoming since 2010, according to the Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center. WyoFile reports that more snowmobilers have been killed by avalanches versus skiers.
Land Trust Executive Director Brad Bauer said the course will be led by Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center instructors.
"They're snowmobilers, they're skiers, they're hikers. So they are providing this basic level avalanche training for all back country snow users. It doesn't matter what your preferred mode of recreation is," he said.
The training will include things people should take with them to the backcountry, like an avalanche transceiver and shovel.
Bauer said the training will benefit locals who head into the Bighorn Mountains and will help prepare for any future trips outside of the region.
"Having this basic understanding is a good first step to recreate responsibly and safely not only in Bighorns, but if your trips take you further from home, say you take that trip to Jackson or to Colorado, the same information you learn here will be relevant on your trip there," he said.
The classroom training will be held on January 10th, and the following day, participants will go to Antelope Butte Mountain Recreation Area for field training. A total of 50 spots are open for the public to register, though there are around 15 spots left for the workshop.
Have a question about this story? Contact the reporter, Catherine Wheeler, at cwheel11@uwyo.edu.
