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NAS Has New Director for Education Programs
As the new program director for the National Avalanche
School, Andy Lapkass brings more than 20 years of ski
patrol experience to the position—many of those years
as an avalanche technician in Colorado’s demanding
snow climate (and the last several of those years with his
avalanche dog, AyUp).
Lapkass is replacing Janet Kellam, who is stepping
down from the position to pursue personal interests.
Kellam has been teaching at the NAS since 1999 and
has been program director since 2004. She played a
significant part in ensuring the NAS maintained a strong
presence in the new US Professional Training Protocol.
Lapkass has taught avalanche courses for the
American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education
(AIARE), the American Avalanche Institute (AAI), and the
American Avalanche Association (AAA) AvPro Course.
He has guided climbing expeditions to many of the great
mountain ranges of the world.
In summary, he has dedicated much of his life
exploring, working in, teaching about, and trying to
understand the cold, snowy reaches of our planet.
“Andy is a talented educator and ski patroller,” said Courtesy Andy Lapkass
Sarah Carpenter, AAI co-owner. “He is committed to the
study of snow and does a great job of mentoring and
helping others to learn about this complex environment.
We are excited to work with him in this new role.” Andy Lapkass, the new program director of the National Avalanche School,
with his avalanche dog, AyUp.

SPRING 2017 | NSAA JOURNAL | 51