An instructional course was organized in December 1947 at the Swiss Snow and Avalanche Research Station at the Weissfluhjoch, Davos.Footnote * The instruction consisted of lectures and demonstrations dealing with physics, crystallography and meteorology as applied to snow and ice. The plastic properties and temperatures of the snow cover received special attention. Practical work in the field included the digging of snow sections and the sounding of deep snow accumulations. The dislodging of avalanches by mine-throwers and grenades was demonstrated, and rescue work with the mast recent equipment was carried out by members of the party. They also saw a trained rescue dog (Lawinenhund) at work. It found its man lying under two feet of snow within six minutes.
The course is open to scientists, ski instructors and snow experts from all countries. On this occasion it was attended by a party of twelve from Italy, Czechoslovakia, Switzerland and Yugoslavia. It appears to have been very successful and it has now been decided to hold a course every winter.
The credit of initiating the course belongs to M. C. Egmond d’Arcis, of Geneva. He is President of the International Union of Alpine Associations, under the auspices of which the course is to be continued. The British Mountaineering Council (c/o The Alpine Club, 74 South Audley Street, London, W.1.) is a member of the I.U.A.A. and details of future courses are obtainable from them.
