AIARE 1 Avalanche Course with Climbers of Color
overview
The Mountain Bureau has partnered with Climbers of Color to provide a series of AIARE Avalanche Course. There is no better group to instruct you on this 3-part series in “Decision Making in Avalanche Terrain”. AIARE 1 is a 24-hour introduction to avalanche hazard management. Students can expect to develop a good grounding in how to prepare for and carry out a backcountry trip, to understand basic decision making while in the field, and to learn rescue techniques required to find and dig up a buried person (if an avalanche occurs and someone in the party is caught).
The AIARE 1 course is for ANYONE, regardless of method of travel as a climber or a skier, who wants to recreate in or near avalanche terrain. Backcountry Skiers and Splitboarders should be comfortable with the use of all of their touring equipment and be capable of moving efficiently both uphill and downhill in mixed conditions. See Student Mobility Expectations below for more details.
A NOTE FROM CLIMBERS OF COLOR:
These courses are limited to a maximum of 6-participants. Due to an insufficient amount of BIPOC instructors, we are offering a hybrid course with our partner, Mountain Bureau (MB), where CoC will proudly occupy 6 slots of a 12-slot course. Course field days will be spent with CoC Guide, Cal' Smith, while online sessions will be spent learning alongside MB clients and co-guides.
We acknowledge this is not the purest form of an affinity course; however, our options were confined to running programs in this style. If you have any comments, questions, or concerns regarding the sanctity of this affinity space, please reach out to me at cal@climbersofcolor.org. I stand by such decisions in the best interest of these communities. I am proud, excited, and elated to partner with Mountain Bureau, who have demonstrated an earnest track record of advocating for the working guide, which CoC is comprised of and is operated by.
Details
Location: Snoqualmie Pass, Washington
Ratio: 6:1 student to instructor
Format: 5 hours of self-directed study, (1) Evening Online Class & (2) 8-Hour Field Days
Cost: $495.00 per person
Dates: See Dates Below
Jan. 18-21, 2024 (Thur Evening Online Class, Sat/Sun Field Sessions)
***Snowshoes, Backcountry Skis & Splitboards Welcome***
Jan. 25-28, 2024 (Thur Evening Online Class, Sat/Sun Field Sessions)
***Snowshoes, Backcountry Skis & Splitboards Welcome***
Feb. 1-4, 2024 (Thur Evening Online Class, Sat/Sun Field Sessions)
***Snowshoes, Backcountry Skis & Splitboards Welcome***
Topics covered
Snowpack
Avalanche Phenomenon
Terrain Analysis
Stability Evaluation
Avalanche Hazard Ratings
Human Factors And Risk Assessment
Decision Making
Learning objectives
At the end of the AIARE 1 course, the student should be able to:
Develop a plan for travel in avalanche terrain.
Demonstrate the ability to identify avalanche terrain.
Effectively use The AIARE Risk Management Framework to make terrain choices in a group setting.
Demonstrate effective companion rescue.
Itinerary
Online Class Sessions
After you register for the course, you will receive an invitation to join the online learning portion of the course. Here you will find modules that you will work through at your own pace with checks for understanding along the way. These must be done prior to the Webinar Session as they prepare you for topics that will be covered during your Webinar Session and Field Sessions.
Webinar Session
Day 1- Webinar 6:00pm-9:00pm
We will begin promptly at 6 pm with introductions and course goals. We will spend this time reviewing the material covered in the online learning component, as well as checking for understanding of this material. We have found this blended learning style offers students a significantly deeper understanding of the course material compared to a traditional course. Next we will shift the focus to mountain snowpack, avalanche problems and terrain analysis. This is the key element to staying alive in avalanche terrain and will be one of the largest topics taught on the entire course. With that information we will apply the AIARE tools and start our planning and preparation process of selecting terrain, assembling the group, and reviewing tour maps.
Field Session
Field Day #1 Will begin outdoors with an introductory training in avalanche rescue (we also teach a separate full-day AIARE Rescue Course that provides more in-depth training). We will focus on practicing with our beacons, shovels and probes in a variety of exercises and rescue scenarios. By mid morning, we will do a short tour focused on practicing field observations and snowpack tests and how they relate to decision making in the backcountry. By the end of the day, you will be a competent and confident beacon operator and an asset to any rescue situation. What we learn on this day will inform our plan for day-2.
Field Day #2 Will will be a full day traveling in the mountains. We will leave early and head out for a full day of backcountry touring. Here we will cover such topics as terrain analysis and route selection, safe travel techniques, and incorporating field observations into the touring day. This will be a full day with lots of information and small group workshops. Expect to be wrapped up between 4:00pm and 5:00pm.
Includes
Access to credentialed guides and avalanche forecasters
Student handbook
Field notebook
Evening lectures and field instruction, taught by AIARE certified instructors
Excludes
Transportation to and from the meeting location
Lunches and snacks
Personal clothing
Transceivers, shovels, probes
Touring equipment
student mobility expectations
This AIARE 1 course is open to all participants using snowshoes as their method of travel.
For students wishing to participate on backcountry skis or splitboard we ask that you honestly assess your abilities related to the following movement standard:
Students must be able to confidently ascend, traverse, or descend slopes of up to 35 degrees in challenging conditions such as deep powder, breakable crust, ice, and/or tight trees. Students must know how to use their touring equipment, transition, and perform a kick turn. Students must be able to carry a 20 pound backpack on a 4 mile tour with 1300 feet of elevation gain in challenging snow conditions and weather.
Overestimating one’s abilities can lead to injury (very serious in the winter backcountry), negatively affecting one’s avalanche education, and/or negatively affecting the travel and education of the group. We want you to have the best experience possible. Thank you for understanding.
Activity Resources
Minimum Age
Students 16-17 years old, with consent from a parent or guardian and prior approval by The Mountain Bureau (please call or email prior to enrolling)
All programs are subject to the Mountain Bureau LLC Terms & Conditions