Online learning - Please allow 8 hours for the online curriculum. It will provide an overview of avalanche types and characteristics and will introduce case studies to analyze avalanche incidents. Course progression includes:
- Types and characteristics of avalanches
- Avalanche motion
- Size classification
- The mountain snowpack: an introduction to metamorphism and layering
- Avalanche terrain recognition, assessment, and selection
- Route finding and travel techniques
- Decision making and Human Factors
In the Field - Each morning, meet your instructor at 7am ready to begin. You can expect to be back to the parking lot around 6pm each evening. You are responsible for your own lodging and food.
Day 1 - The day will begin indoors with a discussion of weather observations and how to use a daily avalanche bulletin to assess risk. After the initial discussion, we will travel to an outdoor location to introduce beacons and companion rescue. The day ends with a route planning session to prepare us for the following day.
Day 2 - The day will again start with a discussion of weather observations and use the daily avalanche bulletin to assess risk before moving to an outdoor location. During the day, we will focus on appropriate travel techniques, features of the snowpack, and terrain identification. We will end the day with a mock rescue scenario and debrief.
