Local YAPS Attend National Ski Patrol Jamboree

Los Alamos Young Adult Patroller (YAP) Kai Coblentz is lowered in a sled during high-angle rescue training last weekend at Wolf Creek, Colo. The compressed gas avalanche tool injects gas under the pack and the pipe is used as an anchor. Courtesy photo

A belayer’s eye view of the ‘knife ridge’ as YAP Kai Coblentz remains visible in the orange high angle rescue device far down below at the end of the rope during a training exercise last weekend at Wolf Creek, Colo. Courtesy photo

 

By MAIRE O’NEILL
Los Alamos Daily Post

Four young adult patrollers (YAP) from Pajarito Mountain Ski Patrol attended the National Ski Patrol Rocky Mountain Division YAP Jamboree last weekend at Wolf Creek, Colo. 

Chris Buntain, Kai Coblentz, Justin Holmes and Evan Oro joined other YAPs from Loveland, Hesperus and Powderhorn ski areas, all in Colorado.

The weekend began with a talk from Wolf Creek owner, Davie Pitcher, about the soul of skiing and the importance of ski patrol. Wolf Creek patrollers took the Pajarito YAPs and their leaders Eric Schaller and Cameron Guy on a tour of their entire operation, including their clinic in the base area and all their mountain houses.

Several clinics and demonstrations were conducted for the YAPs, including avalanche scenarios where YAPs were buried and located by avalanche dogs, high-angle rescue demonstrations, toboggan, probe, and beacon clinics, and high-angle rescue demonstrations.

“YAPs from Pajarito Mountain Ski Patrol are an inspiration to me and all those around them because of their confidence and enthusiasm,” said Schaller, who has been involved with the YAP program for more than 20 years. “They made Pajarito Mountain stand out among an impressive group of patrollers from throughout the Rocky Mountain Division.”

Schaller is a former assistant patrol director and Guy won the coveted YAP of the Year award in 2014 for the Rocky Mountain Division. Schaller thanked Pajarito Mountain General Manager Tom Long for sponsoring the trip. Coordinators of the program are Steve and Julie Maze. For more information, call Steve Maze at 505.490.5311.

The view from the top of ‘knife ridge’. Patrollers can be seen in the far distance. Courtesy photo

YAPs Kai Coblentz, left, and Justin Holmes, right, training with their avalanche probes accompanied by a Wolf Creek patroller conducting a beacon search probe following a beacon search hit. Courtesy photo

Scene from last weekend’s training for Los Alamos YAPS at Wolf Creek, Colo. Courtesy photo

Scene from last weekend’s training for Los Alamos YAPS at Wolf Creek, Colo. Courtesy photo

Hiking to the top of the ridge. Courtesy photo

Scene from last weekend’s training for Los Alamos YAPS at Wolf Creek, Colo. Courtesy photo

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