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Avalanche Safety Course

AIARE Level 1

**Please note: This course is facilitated and run through Edgeworks Climbing in Tacoma. Payment is collected through Edgeworks, not through the Mountaineers. Sign up through the Mountaineers website to secure your spot and details for payment and registration will be sent separately. Cost for the course is $525** AIARE Level 1 is an introduction to avalanche hazard management. AIARE Level 1 is an introduction to avalanche hazard management.

Contacts

Meredith Mosman
Meredith Mosman
Leader
  • Thu, Feb 22, 2024 - Sun, Feb 25, 2024
  • Committee: Tacoma Avalanche Education Committee
  • FREE
  • Availability: 6 (10 capacity)
  • Cancellation & Refund Policy

**PLEASE NOTE: THIS COURSE IS FACILITATED AND RUN THROUGH EDGEWORKS CLIMBING IN TACOMA. PAYMENT IS COLLECTED THROUGH EDGEWORKS, NOT THROUGH THE MOUNTAINEERS. SIGN UP THROUGH THE MOUNTAINEERS WEBSITE TO SECURE YOUR SPOT AND DETAILS FOR PAYMENT AND REGISTRATION WILL BE SENT SEPARATELY. COST FOR THE COURSE IS $525**

Who Should Take this Course

This AIARE Level 1 course is for skiers and splitboarders who are able to ski blues and black runs at a resort safely and in a controlled manner.  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 ski/snowboard down blue and blacks runs at a resort safely and in a controlled manner. Bring appropriate equipment for traveling on snow to class. There are no other prerequisites.

COURSE SCHEDULE

This course consists of 1 online evening lecture and 2 field days, all of which are required. Dates below:

  • Thursday, February 22 (Online lecture) Exact Time TBD
  • Saturday, February  24 Exact Time TBD (Snoqualmie Pass Field Day)
  • Sunday, February 25 Exact Time TBD (Snoqualmie Pass Field Day)

REGISTRATION

The Tacoma Mountaineers has partnered with Edgeworks Climbing for this course. Please sign up to secure your spot for this course on this Mountaineers course page. Details regarding payment and registration will be sent by Edgeworks. Cost for the course is $525.  

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.