Avalanche Safety Course
AIARE Level 1
*The method of travel for this course will be by snowshoes only.* 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
- Thu, Mar 25, 2021 - Sun, Mar 28, 2021
- Committee: Tacoma Avalanche Education Committee
- Members: $460.00 Guests: $500.00
- Availability: FULL, 14 on waitlist (3 capacity)
- Cancellation & Refund Policy
Who Should Take this Course
This AIARE Level 1 course is for Snowshoers Only who want 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 using snowshoes and bring appropriate equipment to class. 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, March 25 from 6PM - 9:30PM (Online lecture)
- Friday, March 26 from 6PM - 9:30PM (Online lecture)
- Saturday, March 27 from 8AM - 4:30PM (Mt. Rainier Field Day)
- Sunday, March 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:
Avalanche Level 1 Course
This course has no scheduled activities.
BACKCOUNTRY EQUIPMENT
- Day Backpack
- Snowshoes
- 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)
There are no materials for this course.