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Field Trip

Field trip: AIARE 1 - 3 Day Avalanche Class

Field Trip - Baker Lodge

AIARE 1 course covering decision making, trip planning, snowpack, terrain and companion rescue for climbers, skiers and anyone else traveling in avalanche terrain.

Contacts

David Belding
David Belding
Primary Leader
  • Easy

TBD- Instructor team will send out specific details on when and where to meet, but generally it will be at 8:00am near the Mountaineers Baker Lodge near the Mount Baker Ski area.

This is an AIARE certified level 1 avalanche course consisting of a three day field trip based at the Mountaineers Baker Lodge at the Mount Baker ski area.  The course introduces students to the primary factors that cause avalanches such as weather, snowpack, human error and terrain and stresses ways to avoid avalanches, such as reading terrain, trip planning, snowpack evaluation, understanding avalanche forecasts, travel techniques and team decision making. The class is oriented toward demonstrating practical ways to make safe decisions when traveling in avalanche terrain. The planning and decision making tools introduced in this course are just as applicable to managing all sorts of mountaineering hazards as they are to safety in avalanche terrain. Companion rescue methods are also covered in this class.  Students will need to spend each night at the Mountaineers Lodge located at the Mount Baker Ski Area (cost not included in course fee).  It is recommended that students sign up to stay at the lodge Thursday night as well; The field trip will start promptly on Friday morning.

Route/Place

Baker Lodge


  • Green Trails Mt Shuksan No. 14
    Green Trails Mount Baker Wilderness Climbing No. 13SX
    Trails Illustrated North Cascades National Park
  • See full route/place details.
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Required Equipment

Required Equipment

During the two day field trip students will need either backcountry skis or split-board with skins, or snowshoes and warm insulated boots. Everyone will also need a metal shovel, full length avalanche probe and a modern digital avalanche beacon with two or three antennas for the field trip.  If you rent a beacon make sure you try it out and study the manual so you know how to use it at the field trip.  Bring extra batteries for the beacon. Bring clothes suitable both for standing around and also for getting exercise outdoors all day in possibly cold, windy, snowy or even rainy conditions.  You will need a sleeping bag, flashlight and indoor shoes or slippers for the overnight stay at the lodge.  Dinner Saturday night and breakfast Sunday morning will be provided at the lodge.  Contact Baker Lodge directly with any special food requirements.  Bring your own lunch and snacks for both Saturday and Sunday in the field.

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