Santiam Pass Ski Patrol

Eastern Division AMN Instructor Refresher

Avalanche, MTR, N/BC

Matt and Larry participated in the Eastern Division AMN instructor refresher at Pike Glades, New Hampshire. Pike Glades is near 19T 0262064E 4879026N (44°01’32.9″N 71°58’08.3″W), East of Haverhill, NH. Approximately 70 patrollers were in attendance. AMN stands for:

  • A > Avalanche
  • M > Mountain Travel and Rescue
  • N > Nordic/Backcountry

AMN

Several of our PNWD patrollers first participated in the AMN instructor refresher in 2020. You might imagine why. That year it was online only.

Since then, we have hoped to attend in person. Thank you for the kind and generous support of the Santiam Pass Ski Patrol for this trip.

The training included pre-weekend online sessions hosted on the Eastern Division Patroller School moodle platform.

The online content was in four modules:

  1. Global Instructor Development Refresher
  2. Avalanche Refresher
  3. Mountain Travel & Rescue Refresher
  4. Nordic/Backcountry Refresher

Each session took 1-2 hours to complete.

The fieldwork began with Larry and Matt arriving at Pike Glades with Chuck and Linda Boyd on Friday September 26, 2025. Chuck and Linda were our generous hosts for the event. Our airport shuttle and lodging hosts. What generous and loving people!

When we arrived…

  • Set up was underway and most of the instructors were on site.
  • Larry and I setup our tent with the kind support of Rick Shandler, who provided all of our camp items.
  • After dinner we were briefed on the weekend plan.
  • Saturday morning began with breakfast and breaking into three groups: A, B, and C.
  • Then each group began their rotation. One session before lunch and two sessions after lunch.
  • The evening was capped with a potluck dinner, recognitions, and a raffle.
  • Sunday morning was striking camp and included a hike to The Shire near the summit of Lake Constance Mountain. We ascended along the blue route and followed the red back to camp. See the map below.
  • Many helped with the clean-up.
CalTopo of Pike’s Glade.

The group Saturday night – Photo by Stu Gillard

AMN 2025 Sept 27. Photo by Stu Gillard. Matt is lower-right, Larry in just left of the center-back.

Declination flipped to ~14° East!

Note the -14.0° West declination for our location in New Hamshire.

Each topic had a clear focus:

  • Instructor development challenged us to help lead the student as an active participant in the learning process using discussion and guided reflection.
  • Avalanche reviewed beacon search, probing, and excavation. It provided a good overview of the hypo-warp.
  • Mountain Travel and Rescue lead a review of the “minimal” gear, lightweight, single-rope low-angle rescue. This included adding a second prusik for backup and progress capture.
  • Nordic/Backcountry helped us make the best use of CalTopo on our desktop and mobile devices.
Chuck and Linda Boyd. Thank you for hosting us.
The cool morning dew came like the welcoming shroud of the new day.
The beauty of fall was everywhere as we looked across the valley toward the Appalachian National Scenic Trail.
Rick Shandler leads us with an inspiring speech.
The three “new” Nordic Master amigos. Left-to-right: Matt Strauser PNWD, Scott Stevens Intermountain, and Larry Davis PNWD.
Eric and Penelope Geisler discuss the intricacies of compass navigation. Jerry and Barbara Jensen where also in attendance from the Intermountain Division.
Beacon searches on a beautiful, dry, fall day.
Low-angle RRS.
Use of double prussik. Photo Larry Davis
Success – I found one of the CalTopo locations. Now, just find three more.
The Shire.
What is better than a beautiful fall New England hike with new friends?

We appreciate the hospitality of our Eastern Division hosts and the generous support of the Santiam Pass Ski Patrol at Hoodoo, Oregon. Thank you all.