AIARE 2 - 3 Day Avalanche Class

This is an AIARE certified level 2 avalanche course consisting of a 3-day field trip in the backcountry adjacent to the Mountaineers Mount Baker Lodge and the Mt Baker ski area. Lodging cost is not included in the registration fee (see below for lodging information). The course activities and field trip dates are as follows: 

SCHEDULE:

• Pre-course work: Due Feb 15, 5:00pm (4-8 hrs self-paced online coursework)
• Field Trip: Fri Feb 28 - Sun Mar 2, 8am - 4pm Mt Baker Ski Area/Baker Lodge

WHAT IS COVERED:

The AIARE 2 is a three-day/24-hour course that provides backcountry travelers an opportunity to advance their decision making skills in more complicated situations such as being a leader within a small travel group, traveling in more complicated terrain, and/or developing a travel plan where resources are scarce.

The AIARE 2 builds on the introductory avalanche hazard management model introduced in the AIARE 1 and adds to it the evaluation of critical hazard assessment factors. Students will describe and discuss weather, snowpack and avalanche processes, and identify how these processes relate to observations and travel within avalanche terrain. 

WHO SHOULD TAKE THIS COURSE:

The AIARE 2 is a three-day course for those who have taken an AIARE 1 and Avalanche Rescue and since then have had at least a year of backcountry travel experience. The AIARE 2 provides backcountry leaders the opportunity to advance their avalanche knowledge and decision-making skills.

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES:

• Differentiate where specific avalanche hazards exist within the landscape and identify avalanche terrain where consequences may be more severe.
• Use and interpret weather, snow, and avalanche observations to locate appropriate terrain prior to entering and while in the field.
• Demonstrate leadership skills within a small team that include facilitating small group discussion, promoting appropriate terrain selection, and utilizing simple risk management strategies.
• Implement a basic forecasting framework that can be used in conjunction with and in the absences of local supporting avalanche information.

PREREQUISITES:

• Participants must have the ability to travel in avalanche terrain.
• An AIARE 1 Course (strongly recommended) or equivalent Level 1 training is required.
• A winter of practical experience after the Level 1 course is highly recommended before taking the AIARE 2 course.
• AIARE or AAA approved one-day Avalanche Rescue Course.

FIELD TRIP DETAILS:

The entirety of the field trip will be completed in the backcountry adjacent to the Mountaineers Mt. Baker Lodge and Mt Baker Ski Area. The course registration fee does not include lodging (see below for lodging information).  The field trip starts promptly at 8am each morning and weather can make an early morning arrival challenging. The field days will end at 4pm, so returning to the Seattle area is possible but will make for a long day and is not recommended.

LODGING:

Students are encouraged but not required to stay at the Mountaineers Mount Baker Lodge. A registration link for signing up to stay at the lodge will be provided to all registered students. If you would prefer not to stay at the lodge you will be responsible for arriving to the venue and securing parking which can be challenging.

COMMUNICATION AFTER REGISTERING:

In mid-January after registration closes, registered students will receive a welcome email with additional information about the pre-coursework material and links to student manuals and other materials to help prepare for the class.  

CANCELLATION AND ATTENDANCE POLICY

During the open registration period, students can cancel their registration and receive a refund of their course fee minus a $50 cancellation fee. After registration closes, students will receive no refunds for cancellations. Pre-course work and attendance at all classes are required.

ABOUT AIARE

To learn more about the AIARE approach to avalanche education used by the Mountaineers, visit the AIARE website.