Rescue dogs are bad ass

We completed our two day back country overview today. The course was not a comprehensive avalanch rescue class. We just went over the basics for using the beepers, probes, and shovels. We also went over the different types of snow layers one would fine when cutting a cross-section from the base. The instructors were Swiss mountain guides whose job was to keep us paranoid at all times of avalanches. The good thing was that we got to ride some good off piste powder with some steeps. The instructors seemed to tell us about pulling out avalanche victims at every stop on the mountain. Today, we buried Mark in the snow and watched a guard dog try to find him. The dog was awesome. She found Mark in about 1 minute. Note to self, carry some sausage when skiing in the back-country. The dog will find you faster if you have cured meats with you.

On a side note, I was told that I shouldn't have my haircut at the resort since the Swiss don't know how to cut Asian hair. It should be long enough by March to sculpt a nice mullet. I'll take pics if it happens.

Pablo watch - After about a ten minute lecture on snow blindness during the search and rescue class, Pablo waited about 30 minutes before grabing his goggles. After getting his goggles, he kept them on his forehead the entire day.

Pictures are of Gina finding Mark, Ollie buried in the snow cave and being probed, Checking out different snow layers, and Jonas (guide) with Gina (rescue dog).