Courses
AVALANCHE SEARCH AND RESCUE WORKSHOP

One day refresher on avalanche companion rescue. Make sure that you are ready for the season and dial in your avalanche search and rescue skills.

from: **37.500 kr.**
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Trip dates 11.Jan 2025 (or up on agreement)
SeasonJan-April
Duration1 day
DifficultySuitable for everyone

Course overview

A one day workshop based course where we focus on companion rescue and the whole process from an avalanche incident to recovering your travel partner.
When we find ourselves in an avalanche incident it is of the utter most important that we know our equipment well and have the proper skills to perform an efficient and well executed rescue.
The course is aimed at people that have either completed a basic avalanche course or have had structured training with their equipment. We will focus on companion rescue where we train you with up to date tranceiver search methods, shovelling and probing techniques. We will use the day to execute multiple different scenarios from simple individual searches to multiple burials where we really have to put our skills to the test. Instructors will identify where students can improve and give tips and exercises that will improve your efficiency and skills.

The day will start at 09:00 and finish no later than 17-18:00.
The workshop will refresh on the following topics:

Evaluating the scene, what to do in what order

Effective tranceiver search with up to date standards

Probing technique

Effective shovelling techniques

The basics of avalanche first aid

A field day packed with information where we put our skills to the test. This course is suitable for everyone with prior avalanche training and is “on foot”, so no need for skis or snowmobiles.

Make sure your skills are up to date to be able to react to an avalanche incident before you head out into the mountains.

Practical information

Below are details about the course. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Requirements

Fitness level: Basic, comfortable to move 200m in elevation per hour over 2-4 hours.
Experience level: Beginner, no experience but eager to learn new skill sets.

To get the most out of the course, participants have to have some background in avalanche rescue:

Attended basic avalanche course

Have had other means of structured training (tranceiver search, probing and shovelling)

Prices

Group course (4-6 participants)
37.500 kr. per person

For a private course please contact us.

Itinerary

Workshop day
We meet up at at N1 gasstation at Höfði at 09:00 in the morning. From there we can carpool on location.

Workshop day topics are:
Primary focus

Evaluating the scene

Organising rescue

Signal search

Fine search

Probing

Efficient shovelling

Basic first aid

Throughout the day We will work in small groups and do drills on different task and eventually put everything together in a big scenario.
We will try to create a good learning environment and have students involved in discussions and have a friendly environment for questions.

Logistics

Workshop day
Meeting point is at N1 höfða (see map below) at 09:00, where we can collect into different cars and share rides with each other. We try to choose a location within 45min drive from Reykjavík.
We expect to be back in town between 17-18:00.

Students are responsible for both transportation during the course.

Meetingpoint:

What to bring

Good outdoor clothing
Good hiking boots
Warm jacket down or synthetic
Shovel, probe and transceiver (can be rented)
Hat
Gloves
Lunch / snacks and water
Small backpack for personal equipment
Notebook or phone to take notes

What’s included

Guiding fee and expenses

What’s not included

Transport (contact us if you do not have your own vehicle)
Lunch
Avalanche safety equipment

Do you have any questions?

Below are answers to some of the questions we get regarding the tour. If you do not find the answer do not hesitate to contact us at [email protected]

What happens to my booking if the weather or conditions are bad?

In case it is not possible to operate the tour due to weather or conditions we try the following things:

Move the tour to a different date if that works for you, change to a different activity if you agree on that. If none of the above is possible and we have to cancel the tour due to weather or poor conditions, we will refund you the tour.
In how much advance should I book my tour with you?

The short answer is: the longer the better. We have limited resources of guides and sometimes we are fully booked.
For less technical tours like Glacier hiking, Glacier hiking and ice climbing, and alpine trekking tours we can usually accommodate you with a short notice. For more technical tours like Waterfall ice climbing, Rock climbing and alpine tours longer advance is better to secure a spot.
Short notice can be 24 hours before departure and longer notice is at least two weeks before.
What is the best season for the activities you offer?

The best season depends on what activity you choose. The appropriate season is stated at the top of each tour. To break it down:

Glacier hikes and glacier ice climbing
Available the whole year. This activity is not dependant on weather or conditions. The only time we have to cancel or post pone these activities is when the weather is really bad.

Rock climbing and alpine rock climbing
Rock climbing is a summer activity available May-October. This activity is highly weather dependant and not possible when the rock is wet or when it is raining. If you are interested in rock climbing outside of the season, it is possible if we have really good weather days. Please contact us for further information.

Ski touring
The best ski touring in the south-west part of Iceland is usually around spring time. The ski touring season is usually between Feb-May, however it is possible to ski outside the season if conditions are good or we ski the glaciers like on the tour “Ski touring Snæfellsjökull”. If you are interested to ski outside of the season please contact us for further information.

Waterfall ice climbing and alpine winter climbing
The main season is from late November to late March. Iceland has a maritime climate and temperatures fluctuate through out the season making this activity highly subject to weather and conditions. In case we have poor conditions for ice climbing we can always substitute the waterfall ice climbing with ice climbing on the glacier.

Alpine trekking
Snæfellsjökull can be climbed almost the whole year, appart from the darkest month of the year, December.
Other bigger mountains like Eyjafjallajökull and Hvannadalshnúkur, the highest summit of Iceland, have the best conditions from early spring to late summer.
Do I need any prior experience to participate in your tours?

Since all of our tours are private we are able to adjust the difficulty and and experience level needed for each tour. However, for some of your tours it is advisable that you have have some background in the activity:

Glacier hiking and glacier ice climbing
There is no prior experience needed for those tours

Waterfall ice climbing
It is possible to try waterfall ice climbing if you do not have any prior ice climbing experience. We would choose an easy climbing route with easy access. If you have never done ice climbing before it is worth looking into our Ice climbing and glacier hiking tour on Sólheimajökull.

Ski touring
For our ski touring tours you have to be a competent off-piste skier and able to ski down in various conditions.

Rock and alpine climbing
No prior experience is needed for single pitch rock climbing. For multi pitch climbing it is advisable that your climbing level is at 5.7-5.8 and you have to know how to belay a lead climber.
Can I request a tour that is not on your website?
Yes, without a doubt. Private guiding is what Asgard is all about and if you can dream your adventure, we can make it happen. If you do not find your perfect adventure on our website, do not hesitate to get in touch at [email protected]!

Examples of private tours we have done in the past:
- Expedition planning and support
- Cross country ski touring
- Expedition and polar training
- Private hiking, day tours and multi-day tours
- Location management and safety on film projects
- Private tours for photographers
- Alpine trekking on glaciated summits
- Multiday tours in Greenland
Do you offer pickup service?

In general we only meet our guests on location, or car pool from a central location in Reykjvaík. However, if you do not have your own car and can not meet us on location please get in touch.