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AIARE Level 1 for Snowshoers/Skiers - 2021

Avalanche Safety Course

AIARE Level 1

AIARE Level 1 is an 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).

Info
COVID-19: Learn about our most up-to-date guidance for participants and leaders on our COVID-19 Response page. All participants and leaders must agree to the COVID-19 Code of Conduct before participating in this Mountaineers course.

Contacts

Meredith Mosman
Meredith Mosman
Leader

Who Should Take this Course

AIARE Level 1 is for ANYONE, regardless of method of travel, who wants to recreate in or near avalanche terrain. Participants may have attended some awareness classes or workshops or completed the Avalanche Rescue course, but none are a prerequisite for this course.

Aspiring professionals will need to take the AIARE 1 and Avalanche Rescue as a prerequisite for the Pro 1 course.

Student Learning Outcomes

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.

Prerequisites

Students must be able to travel in avalanche terrain and bring appropriate equipment for traveling on snow to class. If you're planning to travel on skis or splitboard, you must be able to ski or ride blue runs at a resort competently or travel on snowshoes. There are no other prerequisites.

Lectures/Field days

This course consists of 2 online evening lectures and 2 field days, all of which are required. Dates below:

  • Thursday, February 25 from 6PM - 9:30PM (Online lecture)
  • Friday, February 26 from 6PM - 9:30PM (Online lecture)
  • Saturday, February 27 from 8AM - 4:30PM (Mt. Rainier Field Day)
  • Sunday, February 28 from 8AM - 4:30PM (Mt. Rainier Field Day)

registration

The Tacoma Mountaineers has partnered with Edgeworks Climbing Gym for this course. Please register for this course on the course registration link. Details regarding course format will be provided by Edgeworks. 

additional info/questions

Please reach out to Meredith Mosman (mere.mosman@gmail.com) for additional information or questions regarding this course. 

Badges you will earn:

Course Requirements

This course has no scheduled activities.

Roster
Required Equipment

BACKCOUNTRY EQUIPMENT

  • Day-Tour Ski Backpack
  • Touring Skis, Splitboard or Snowshoes (Skis with alpine-touring or telemark bindings or splitboard)
  • Climbing Skins (for skis/splitboard, adjusted to skis)
  • Ski Poles (adjustable length optional)
  • Avalanche Transceiver (max 5 years old)
  • Avalanche Probe
  • Avalanche Shovel (metal blade is a must)

CLOTHING

  • Socks: Wool or synthetic ski socks
  • Base layers: Synthetic, wool or silk bottom, underwear and top
  • Mid Layer: Synthetic or wool zip shirt
  • Hard Shell or Softshell pants: A pair with side vents are best.
  • Insulated vest or jacket: down or synthetic.
  • Hard or Soft shell jacket: waterproof and breathable, no or little insulation.
  • Gloves: a pair of heavy gloves and a pair of medium weight gloves
  • Hats: one with brim, one for warmth
  • Neck Gaiter or Balaclava: optional, but nice to have
  • Helmet (recommended)
  • Sunglasses
  • Goggles

OTHER ITEMS

  • Water bottles: 1-2 liters combined capacity (bottle insulators recommended)
  • Small thermos: (optional)
  • Sunscreen and lip balm (water/sweat-proof)
  • Headlamp
  • Toiletries, Personal first-aid kit (for your personal meds/needs)
  • Camera or Smartphone
  • Lunch/Snack food

COURSE EQUIPMENT

  • AIARE Field book (this will be supplied)
  • Mechanical pencil
  • Snow Saw (optional/recommended)
  • Snow Study Kit (optional): dial Stem thermometer (celsius), crystal card, loupe (5x – 10x magnification)
Course Materials

There are no materials for this course.