JACKSON, Wyo. — To increase access to backcountry safety information, an upcoming avalanche awareness workshop will be presented entirely in Spanish. Organized by a diverse group of educators and backcountry safety advocates from Teton County Search & Rescue, Camina Conmingo, Coombs Outdoors, Exum, Jackson Hole Mountain Guides and the Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center, “Noche de Concientización Sobre Avalanchas” will take place from 6 to 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 28, at the Virginian’s Wister Hall.
The goal of the event is to broaden access to essential safety information for community members for whom Spanish is their preferred language. Based on TCSD #1 demographics, an estimated 40 percent of county residents have a home language other than English, and the majority of those are Spanish-speakers.
“El acceso al idioma es uno de los primeros pasos importantes para garantizar que todos en nuestra comunidad tengan las herramientas y el conocimiento que necesitan para tomar decisiones informadas en el campo,” said Piper Worthington, a language access advocate and event co-coordinator. “Este evento será educativo, pero también una celebración de las personas y organizaciones locales que han cambiado la forma en que pensamos sobre quién está representado en la industria de actividades al aire libre.”
Presenters will offer a dynamic line-up of content for backcountry users of all levels of experience and modalities, and for those who want to learn and be inspired by our local resources.
No registration is required and attendance is free. All attendees get one free raffle ticket upon entry for the chance to win some great prizes from Mammut, Arc’teryx, American Avalanche Institute and Backcountry Access. For more information, visit BackcountryZero.com/events.
Presentation agenda
Avalanche Awareness: Christian Santelices, IFMGA/AMGA Certified Guide
State of the Snowpack: Laura Gaylord, Coombs Outdoors + Exum Mountain Guides
Emergency Response and First Aid: Ryan Mertaugh, Teton County Search & Rescue + JHMG
Backcountry Panel: Backcountry Program Participants, Coombs Outdoors
Keynote Speaker: Vanessa Chavarriaga Posada
Raffle winners announced
Closing and next steps: Mirian Morillon, Camina Conmigo
