Talking about what I have learned could go on for pages and pages, in detail. Narrowing down a few "aha" moments helps highlight facts and points that I may not have known if I hadn't enrolled in the Avalanche Science Program(ASP).
- At first I had a really hard time with concept of solar radiation balance between the atmosphere, snow surface, and terrestrial obstructions. Brian Lazar really knew how to simplify the description of the different processes then connect them back to one another.
- The avalanche forecast process really took some time to put all the components together for it to even make a little sense. Once it make sense, just practice helped drive it home. Dr. Ethan Greene easily steered the group in the right direction without really giving the answer away.
- I struggled with snow crystal ID and their subtle differences. In the field, there really isn't enough time to look at unique features of a crystal. Dr. Kelly Elder presented some high resolution crystal photos he took that allowed me to have time to see unique features to look for without the crystal deforming right in front of me.
- During group AM/PM forms, I tended to use short or slang terms that I understood but maybe the rest of the group had no idea what I meant. Roger Coit and Becs Hodgetts helped straighten me out on using common terms that group members would understand.
- Difficulty with efficient travel over certain snow surfaces, Blase Reardon and John MacKinnon both made constructive suggestions and demonstrated the technique right away and it brought new light to traveling over snow safer and more efficient.