Courses

AIARE Avalanche Level 1: Decision Making in Avalanche Terrain

January 28-30, 2010 (Stanley Basin)

Avalanche Training Sawtooth Mountains

Course Overview

The goal of this avalanche course is to give the backcountry skier/snowboarder the practical knowledge to understand the snow avalanche phenomenon and to practice safe techniques in backcountry travel.

Trip Format

Day 1: Meet at SMG Headquarters, Lower Stanley, and 8:00AM. Introduction and Orientation/ Course Outcomes; Overview of Avalanche Hazard; Use of the Avalanche Bulletin; Intro to Decision-making & Avalanche Hazard; Case History: Avalanche Accident; Weather/ Snowpack History; Field-- Beacon Use- Probing / Shoveling. Companion Rescue Clinic; Review of Avalanche Rescue Scenarios; Avalanche Rescue/ Response/Debrief. Dinner Break. Evening Presentations: Mountain Snowpack Development/ Mechanics of Slab Avalanche. Snow Climates.

Day 2: Observation of Weather/ Daily Avalanche Bulletin. Building a Hazard forecast and developing a Tour Plan for the Day; Internet Resources; Use of maps; resources; Observations / Use of the Field Notebook. Tour-- Observation of Snowpack characteristics, terrain, effect of slope aspect/ elevation. Methods of Stability Evaluation/ field observations; De-brief Tour observations/ Plotting Test/Study Pit & Stability Rose; Observations, Hazard Rating Review; Dinner. Concepts in Avalanche Hazards and The Human Factor: Application of Decision-making Tools.

Day 3: A.M. Weather Obs.Review of previous day’s Field Obs. Group discussion of Hazard Forecast; Daily Avalanche Bulletin. Topic: Terrain Management and Group management; Tour Planning w/group. Terrain route selection & Backcountry Travel Skills: group skiing safety uphill/downhill; Common Mistakes leading to Avalanche Accidents; Course Summary: Review of Course Outcomes; Limitations of Level 1 training; Avoiding Avalanches and Managing Risk; Course end: 4:00 P.M.

See the AIARE course description here.

Instructors

Kirk Bachman, Erik Leidecker, Michael Hatch and Clark Corey. See profiles.

Registration and Fees

$375 (Includes instruction, and course materials. Does not include food or lodging)

Additional Info

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