by VNTRbirds | Dec 26, 2024
by Marca Hagenstad
The excitement of gearing up for an AIARE 2 hut trip with VNTRbirds was amped up even further by thestorm brewing in the mountains, which reached its peak on the morning of our meet-up. When wegathered with our lead instructor, Janine Prout, to review the trip plans and introduce ourselves, it wasclear this was a group with real grit. Despite the storm’s intensifying presence, no one hesitated orbacked out.
This was my first all-femme AIARE course. When I heard of VNTRbirds’ all-female offering I was instantly relieved to know they even existed. I’ve had several unpleasant experiences as the only female in avalanche education courses and on mountain adventures. One time I pulled an instructor aside and let him know that he was not including me in discussions or activities, and he didn’t change. I felt invisible. So I was overjoyed to explore the dynamics that accompanied this women specific course.
At the trailhead we loaded up our heavy backpacks, put our skins on our skis and splitboards, and headed up into the whiteout. We dug our first pit of the trip to check out how the recent layers of snow stacked up on older ones. Persistent weak layers are present across the state of Colorado this year, making for interesting test results and lots of low angle ski days. Instructor Samantha Aaronson guided us in examining facets, rounds, and rounding facets, and it was no surprise when Janine generated a sudden collapse on an ECT test, collapse, a clear sign of instability. The result reinforced the importance of being cautious and aware, and it set the tone for the rest of the trip.
It’s wild to look back and see how much avalanche education for recreational riders has evolved over the years. When I first started snowboarding in Telluride then Verbier, Switzerland, in the early ’90s, taking avalanche courses was rare unless you. were a professional. We often ventured into the backcountry based on impulse or temptation, without much consideration for the dangers. Unsurprisingly, I found myself in a number of risky situations—one so serious that I walked away from backcountry riding for 20 years.
I’ve since taken a lot of AIARE courses. Every course is unique and is shaped by the instructors, terrain, students, weather, and my mindset. Skills for traveling in avalanche terrain are like muscles that need to be continually exercised. The more skills and experience I get, the more comfortable my days in the backcountry are, and the more terrain opens up for me. The technical skills involve reading forecasts, understanding the terrain and the layers of snow, knowing the weather forecast, and bringing and knowing how to use the right equipment. Then there’s the human component. While avalanche trainings in early days focused on technical aspects, there’s been an important shift in understanding that social hazards play a dominant role in avalanche accidents.
Navigating the route to the hut was straightforward, even with limited visibility. When we arrived at the hut, we claimed beds (everyone so selfless it took awhile to actually convince someone to have the master), made a fire, and began the never-ending process of melting snow on top of the wood stove for our drinking water and cooking. While this hut had typical off-grid components, it was the largest and nicest hut I’ve ever been to and had plenty of seating with comfortable blankets to stay warm.
Our dinners and breakfasts were included in the price of the course and the food was delicious. We would relax after dinner and enjoy the fire, while continuing to melt snow for drinking water. The camaraderie and conversations that happen on girl hut trips are so epic.
Our mornings were spent gathered at the big table to discuss the day’s plans. We would review the Colorado Avalanche Information Center (CAIC) avalanche report, check the weather forecast, discuss goals and options, and decide on a route and plan for the day. While some people are naturally more comfortable leading and contributing to planning, it is so important for each person to vocalize their perspectives with the group. We all have different backgrounds, skills, experiences, fears, goals, sources of information, etc. that not only improve the group backcountry experience to share, but make it safer as well.
Our days were spent in the great winter alpine, exploring and discussing the subtle signs of instability and changing snow conditions as we progressed through different terrain, and the more obvious signs of instability such as natural and human-triggered releases. We dug pits, examined snow crystals, and conducted many kinds of tests. I got to jump on a large Rutschblock for the first time, putting varying pressure on it until it collapsed.
Time spent with the VNTRbirds’ guides is well spent since you learn so much from them, and being able to spend days with guides at a hut provides so much more time together than a regular course. And over the three days we were able to observe many different conditions, going from full on winter to springlike conditions.
We also made plenty of time for having fun and making turns. That’s what its all about. We had a lot of laughs throughout the entire trip. I had some expectations before the trip and it was everything I had imagined it would be and more. In this all-female course I found I was always comfortable asking any and all questions, and Janine fielded my questions with patience and her vast knowledge. Everyone in the group felt there was space to share their perspectives. One participant, pro-rider Evin Harris, commented that being in a gender expansive group created an amazing learning environment and she was more freely able to advocate for her needs and voice when something doesn’t feel right. Thank you VNTRbirds for supporting women progressing their performance in the outdoors!
Several participants said at the beginning of the trip that it was a course goal to increase their self-confidence and that mission was accomplished. And that is something that can be carried over into other aspects of your life, with big benefits.
Through course trainings and supportive environments, I’ve been able to work through my challenges and build up experience in areas of weakness to be able to spend time again in the places that give me energy. I’ve been able to volunteer with the Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research (INSTAAR) as a snow survey data collector, serve as a Snow School Instructor for the Winter Wildlands Alliance, test splitboard gear for Backcountry Magazine and snowboard terrain from volcanos in the Pacific Northwest to glaciers in the Alps. I obtained certifications with the Professional Ski Instructors of America and the American Association of Snowboard Instructors (PSIA-AASI) and Wilderness First Aid — all since deciding to get back into the backcountry again, and in my spare time of my sustainability consulting day job. Sometimes I’m able to combine passions. I presented at the International Snow Science Workshop (ISSW) in Innsbruck Austria on the economic impacts of climate change on the snow sports industries. I served as a contributing author to the UN IPCC’s Special Report on the Cryosphere. And I advise companies on decarbonization and climate risk disclosures.
In the few months since our course, I have already experienced the benefits of the skills and confidence I gained. I am a notch above where I was before. And while I don’t even own a mountain bike right now, I’m thinking of getting one to go on one of VNTRbirds notoriously amazing mountain biking events. The groups of women that VNTRbirds attract, and the types of events they design and manage are my kind of fun.
For more information on VNTRbirds visit www.VNTRbirds.com or find them on Instagram @VNTRbirds or Facebook.com/VNTRbirds.
Marca (she/her), has been exploring the backcountry for a few decades and believes women excel in all femme environments. Marca has travelled around the world on her splitboard and has been a gear tested for publications like Outside and Backcountry magazine