Courses

Avalanche Level 1: Decision Making in Avalanche Terrain (AIARE)

January 7-9, 2011 (Williams Peak Yurt)
January 14-16, 2011 (Williams Peak Yurt)

Avalanche Level 1 Course

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: 8:00AM. Meet at Stanley Ranger Station; Introductions Orientation to Avalanche Training/ Course Outcomes; Overview Components of Avalanche Hazard; Weather/ Snowpack History; Use of the Avalanche Bulletin; Beacon Basics; Tour to hut-Field Observations:- Snowpack characteristics, terrain, effect of slope aspect/ elevation. Rescue Skills:Beacons, Probing, Shoveling. PM: Dinner Break. Evening Presentations: Mountain Snowpack Development & Change; Mechanics of Slab Avalanche; Snow Climates.

Day 2: 8:00AM Indoor Session: Observation of Weather/ Daily Avalanche Bulletin. Building a Hazard forecast and developing a Tour Plan for the Day; Elements of Decision-making / Use of the Field Notebook. Use of maps and related resources; Field: Companion Rescue Scenario & Debrief; Tour: Terrain route selection & Backcountry Travel Skills: group skiing safety uphill/downhill; Methods of Stability Evaluation/ field observations; PM De-brief Tour observations/ Plotting Test Pit & Stability Rose; Observations, Hazard Rating Review; Dinner. Evening: Case History: Avalanche Accident; Concepts in Avalanche Hazards & The Human Factor: Application of Decision-making Tools.

Day 3: 8:00AM Weather Observations, Avalanche Bulletin. Review of previous day's Field Observation & Discussion of Hazard Forecast; Daily Tour Planning w/ group. Presentation & Review Terrain and Group management; Tour: Practice and application in Terrain & Group Management/ Avalanche Hazard Assessment; PM 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

Instructors

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

Registration and Fees

$450 (Includes instruction, food, hut rental, and course materials)

Additional Info

Printer friendly version (PDF) of this course