October 02, 2017 Training Season Has Begun
Since 1988, Mike Wiegele and the founding members of the Canadian Ski Guide Association have focused on developing CSGA programs to challenge any mountaineering skill level for safe guiding practices in the mechanized skiing industry. Today MWHS hosts many programs throughout the year, to help train and maintain the best heli-ski guides for the backcountry.
The CSGA's Summer Glacier Skills Camp has traditionally marked the countdown to the winter season in Blue River since 1993. This year's program hosted 20 students from Sept. 8 to 16, in the Monashee Mountains. Over the years this course has become one of the industry's leading programs for all levels of guides aiming to improve their rope and crevasse rescue skills and guiding techniques. During the course, participants are offered instruction on glacier travel, proper usage of crampons and ice axe travelling on snow and ice, rope techniques, protection, rescue techniques, navigation, route selection, trip preparation and mountaineering ethics.
Many MWHS senior guides are now involved in teaching CSGA courses and this year, 20 students took to the mountains with CSGI camp director, 18-year CSGA participant and MWHS Lead Guide, Michel Hainault. After walking into the high alpine terrain in Mud Valley, on Sept. 10., the group felt the first dusting of snow in the mountains at 8,000 ft.
Mike Wiegele and MWHS Senior Operations Manager Bob Sayer, are the founding members of the CSGA. Today Sayer continues to support CSGA programs by traveling around the globe to stay on top of world's mountaineering standards and to support industry leading organizations such as the International Commission for Alpine Rescue (ICAR) .
In addition to this program, MWHS guides participate in a comprehensive 10-day training session prior to the season opening to implement MWHS-specific operational and rescue systems.
Check out the CSGA for more information on these programs in Wiegele World, including Avalanche Training for Guides in January.
