CONGRATULATIONS!
Posted on Monday, May 14th, 2012

CONGRATULATIONS! to William ‘Randy’ Reed for winning the BCA 2012 Avalanche Awareness program award. Randy attended training in December at Team CC in Eagle River. He was selected from more than 2,500 participants. THANK YOU! to everyone that participated in our annual Avalanche Awareness Training award program. Thanks to BCA for providing the grand prize of a Beacon, Shovel, Probe and Backpack. And thanks to BRP, Alaska State Troopers and Team CC for making this program possible! Find out how you can win next year at www.besnowsmart.org

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Alyeska Motor Mushers Madness
Posted on Thursday, May 3rd, 2012

The North America Outdoor Institute will be attending Motor Mushers Madness this weekend in Girdwood. Sponsored by the Alaska Motor Mushers Club, this three-day festival features all things snowmobile. NAOI will be on hand to promote our Zombie Snowmobile Apocalypse Safety game. Come see us at the Alyeska Day Lodge to find out more!

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Arctic Man
Posted on Sunday, April 22nd, 2012

After months of planning and preparing, Arctic Man is now behind us and we’re just trying to dig out from under the aftermath of chores. Downloading and sorting photos and videos, completing state reports, thank you letters and inventory…

To me, the most important thing to do is to thank everyone that helped make this program possible. Thank you Doug with Medical Direct Club for giving us your support with a $1,000 cash donation. These funds paid for the staff lodging and transportation so we could actually attend Arctic Man. And Allen and Jeff for supporting the project with your time, ideas and enthusiasm. And thanks to Bruce Edgerly, Andy Wenberg, Deb and Wayne Paynton with BCA for the gear that we used to demonstrate the skills for avalanche rescue and as the grand prize.

And thanks to Corey and Barb at Team CC, Nick and Mike at AMDS and Steve Christie with BRP for standing behind the message of safety by supporting us with prize items that attract attention and participation.

All of you matter and make a big difference in the battle against reducing preventable injuries through education. Thanks again!

And to everyone that attended, or plans to participate in the future, please thank our sponsors by visiting them either online or in their stores.

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Alaska Governor’s Special Achievement Award Winner
Posted on Sunday, March 25th, 2012

For the third time, the North America Outdoor Institute has been recognized for the development of Outdoor Safety education programs with the Alaska Governor’s Special Achievement Award.

During a special luncheon on Wednesday, March 21st at the Anchorage Eagan Convention Center, NAOI, along with the Alaska Avalanche Information Center, were recognized and honored for our efforts in outdoor safety education.

Each year dozens of Alaskan’s lose their lives in outdoor recreational related accidents. In an effort to help reduce the incidents of preventable injuries and deaths, the North America Outdoor Institute (NAOI,) under a grant from the Alaska Outdoor Recreational Trails Advisory Board (ORTAB,) developed the Alaska Wilderness Safety Challenge. This family-friendly, interactive training program reached more than 7,500 Alaskan’s in 2011 and was recognized with this award.

NAOI is a non-profit corporation founded in 2004 by a group of outdoor enthusiasts with a mission to save lives from preventable outdoor injuries and deaths using interactive, practical training methods. This is the third time the organization has received the award for their public safety education programs.

The Wilderness Safety Challenge provides an opportunity for young and old, from little explorers – ages 3 to 8 – to long-time veterans, to learn and practice simple skills every Alaskan who recreates or travels outdoors should know.

The 2012 NAOI board of directors includes: President Keith Stinebaugh, Vice President Richard Desautel, Secretary Joe Rucker, Treasurer Nigel Guest, Directors Andy Romano and Skylar Stewart.

The NAOI training team is made up of certified mountain and wilderness guides, Search and Rescue professionals and instructors from collaborative organizations such as the Alaska Avalanche Information Center (AAIC.) These individuals, along with dozens of volunteers that help make these programs possible, have given endless hours of time and passion to teach and share their experience, knowledge and skill with others in an effort to save lives.

All those affiliated with NAOI commend The Alaska Governor’s Safety Committee for recognizing the efforts of NAOI and AAIC, a fellow recipient of the 2012 award, by honoring the organizations with these awards which helps to bring attention to this important field of safety and health.

NAOI and organization partners pledge to continue working on behalf of all residents and visitors to Alaska in an effort to reduce injuries and deaths from preventable outdoor recreation accidents.

To learn more about the Wilderness Safety Challenge, visit NAOI online at www.NAOIAK.org

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ARE YOU PREPARED?
Posted on Friday, March 16th, 2012

Join the North America Outdoor Institute at Arctic Man to learn and practice safe outdoor recreation skills. Play the Arctic Man Pea Pod – Snowmobile Zombie Apocalypse Game and find out if you are Ready. Watch this video to learn more!

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Alaska Avalanche Deaths
Posted on Thursday, March 15th, 2012

On March 13, 2012 Alaska suffered the loss of a Heli Ski Guide working in Haines, Alaska following an avalanche. 35-year-old Telluride, Colo. resident Robert Liberman died from his injuries. On Wednesday, March 14, 2012 a second victim, 26-year-old Nick Dodov of Truckee, Ca., a guided client, died from injuries sustained in the avalanche. A total of six victims were buried. All were wearing avalanche beacons and had received basic training.Read More.

Stay alert. Go prepared. Don’t get caught.

This video has been around a couple of years but it’s a good reminder!

Avalanche Skier POV Helmet Cam Burial & Rescue in Haines, Alaska from Chappy on Vimeo.

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Avalanche danger growing
Posted on Monday, February 27th, 2012

Be Aware! AVALANCHE WARNING
From Southeast to Interior Alaska this most recent storm has increased avalanche concerns.

Hatcher Pass forecasters summed up the danger in this report: Expect the avalanche hazard to increase throughout this storm. Over the past 17 hours we have recieved over 14″ of new snow. This is concern for a red flag. In addition, a predominately southerly wind has been gusting to 30mph for the past 10 hours on the F-CNFAIC Marmot anonometer. The combination of rapid loading from new snow and significant winds may tip the stress/strength balance in the snowpack. We can expect soft slabs to be forming on northerly aspects with the addition of new snow and wind. The weather outlook looks like more snow and wind for the next 24-48 hours.

Be alert and travel in mountain terrain with extreme caution. Learn more – click here now!

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Congratulations Iron Dog Racers
Posted on Sunday, February 26th, 2012

Congratulations to Marc McKenna and Dusty VanMeter for their race to victory in the 2012 Iron Dog. All of us at the North America Outdoor Institute also want to congratulate our loyal Iron Dog racers who have provided support for the community service programs we provide – Ryan Sottosanti and Chris Olds. Their teams finished in the top 5 with Sottosanti finishing 3rd and Olds finishing 4th. Way to go guys. Read more

We commend all of the racers along with the Iron Dog organization for their dedication and hard work that has turned this race into an event that all Alaskan’s can be proud to watch and support. Great job everyone for a class act!

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Iron Dog race on!
Posted on Wednesday, February 22nd, 2012

All of us at NAOI are watching and cheering for our friends in the Iron Dog racing to Fairbanks. It’s exciting to watch the sportsmanship and to have these guys show the world that doing things right pays off.

A special shout out to Chris Olds, Ryan Sottosanti, Marianne Beckham, Kevin Kastner and Lauren! Plus all of our other friends racing, supporting, volunteering or cheering the race. Check it out at Iron Dog!

Keep up the great job guys. Be safe out on the trail.

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Avalanche Story Provides Valuable Warning
Posted on Tuesday, February 21st, 2012

Elyse Saugstead from Girdwood and three friends were caught in an avalanche on Sunday while skiing out of bounds at Stevens Pass Ski Area in Washington. Saugstead told KTUU that they felt safe in the area where they were. And even when the avalanche let loose they didn’t think it was going to turn out to be as big as it was. Read More.

Our thoughts and prayers go to Elyse and the families of those who died.

The message here is that all the equipment in the world may not save you if you’re in the wrong place. Elyse was fortunate that she did have an airbag, a valuable tool to wear if you plan to recreate in avalanche terrain, but what about her three friends that were killed by the same slide?

While we strongly support the use of AIRBAGS, as well as carrying beacon, shovel and probe, we recommend educating your brain and practicing safe travel techniques so you can avoid getting caught at all.

Before you head out on your adventure, take the time to learn practical skills that could save your life. NAOI will be hosting free snowmobile and avalanche awareness classes around Alaska thanks to support from the Alaska Dept. of Public Safety and the Alaska Division of Parks. Get the full schedule HERE!

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