News Release

1001 College Rd

Lyndonville, VT 05851

(203)247-6329

News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FEBRUARY 7, 2010 Wesley Bell

FOR INFORMATION CONTACT

(203) 247- 6329

Wesley.bell@lydonstate.edu

Wesley Bell

Lyndon State College Mountain Recreation P.R.

NEK Students Find Recreation in the Backcountry

“The North East Kingdom and nearby areas are great locations for people to experience backcountry skiing,” said J.C. Norling, Professor at Lyndon State College.

This weekend Norling led a two day introductory backcountry skiing class. The class is designed to provide basic knowledge of backcountry etiquette and safety. Norling said, “We will address avalanche awareness, avalanche assessment and testing, safe travel through avalanche terrain, emergency evacuations and how to use your backcountry gear.”

Students met Friday evening in preparation for two days on the trail, going over gear, the planned routes and backcountry safety. Saturday was scheduled for a day of backcountry travel familiarizing the students with their equipment on moderate terrain and low angle glades. Sunday’s route was above tree-line, traveling through avalanche terrain, digging snow pits and working in an alpine environment. “These are all valuable skills for embracing the winter safely,” said Norling.

This training trip was offered as a prerequisite for a February Break trip to the backcountry in Utah. It was designed to introduce skiers to the pleasure of the backcountry experience.

Lyndon State College has a tradition of leading trips both inside and outside of the North East Kingdom, encouraging and teaching, safe, fun, and environmentally aware adventuring. If you are interested in similar programs that the college has to offer, please contact the Mountain Recreation Department for more information, (802) 626-6200.