Photo by Photo submitted
KNOW THE SNOW 鈥� Alain Duguay, left, receives an avalanche safety prize package 鈥� including a transceiver, probe, backpack and shovel 鈥� from Yukon Avalanche Association president Jim Bishop last week after a month-long contest encouraging safety in the backcountry.
The Yukon Avalanche Association (YAA) is very pleased to announce that it has received funding to continue its Yukon Avalanche Forecasting Program in 2014.
The Yukon Avalanche Association (YAA) is very pleased to announce that it has received funding to continue its Yukon Avalanche Forecasting Program in 2014.
"Over the past two years the YAA has worked hard to establish an avalanche forecasting program for the high use areas in the White Pass through Wheaton Valley region,鈥� explained association president Jim Bishop.
"The YAA believes the forecasting program is an important public safety service and that it promotes avalanche awareness amongst all backcountry users.
"This new funding will enable the YAA to operate the forecasting program next winter. We also continue to seek long-term sustainable funding to ensure the avalanche forecasting program operates in the years ahead.鈥�
"The backcountry community and local partners and businesses have been very supportive, and the YAA has received very positive feedback on the forecast project from skiers and sledders from Yukon, BC, Alaska and beyond,鈥� added project manager Jeni Rudisill.
The YAA established the forecasting program as a pilot project with funds from the National Search and Rescue Secretariat New Initiative Fund, and has worked closely with the Canadian Avalanche Centre (CAC) to produce a regional avalanche conditions report twice weekly throughout the winter.
"We are very pleased with the way this project is going and are looking forward to working with the YAA again next winter to provide avalanche safety products for backcountry users in the Klondike region,鈥� said CAC's acting executive director Karl Klassen.
"We sincerely hope sustainable funding can be found so this program can continue.鈥�
The Yukon Avalanche Association is a non-profit organization promoting avalanche safety and awareness and development of risk management tools for all backcountry users.
The group's annual general meeting will be held on May 14 at 5:30 p.m. in the wax room at the Mt. McIntyre
Recreation Centre. All interested community members are welcome.
Connect with the YAA on Facebook, Twitter or through their website, www.yukonavalanche.ca.
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