AIARE 1 Avalanche Class

This is an AIARE certified level 1 avalanche course consisting of four hours of online pre-course work, two online evening lectures, and a two-day field trip in the backcountry adjacent to the Meany Lodge area. Lodging cost is not included in the registration fee and at this time overnight stays at Meany Lodge are not available due to Covid restrictions. The online lectures and field trip dates are as follows: 

SCHEDULE:

• Pre-course work: Due Thu, Feb 4th, 5:00pm (4 hrs self-paced online coursework)
• Online Lecture 1: Thu, Feb 11th, 6:00pm - 8:00pm
• Online Lecture 2: Wed, Feb 17th, 6:00pm - 8:00pm
• Field Trip: Sat, Feb 20th - Sun, Feb 21st, 8am - 4pm

WHAT IS COVERED:

This course introduces students to terminology, terrain identification.  Students will learn about factors that contribute to increasing or decreasing risk such as weather, snowpack, human error and terrain. Students at this level are given techniques to mitigate risk and avoid avalanches through reading terrain, trip planning, snowpack evaluation, understanding avalanche forecasts, travel techniques and team decision making.

FOCUS ON DECISION MAKING AND PLANNING:

I can't think of one moment in the course which was not a learning experience. I especially liked how my instructors challenged us to judge terrain and make choices at the field trip, and then asked us to reflect on those decisions.

FIELD TRIP DETAILS:

The entirety of the field trip will be completed in the backcountry adjacent to Meany Lodge. The course registration fee does not include lodging. Due to Covid-19, Meany lodge is not available. However, the course fee does include transportation from Crystal Springs SnoPark to the Lodge where the field trip will occur. The field trip starts promptly at 8am on Saturday and Sunday mornings and weather can make an early morning arrival challenging. The field days will end at 4pm, so returning to the Seattle area is possible but will make for a long day.

COMMUNICATION AFTER REGISTERING:

In mid-January after registration closes, registered students will receive a welcome email with additional information about the pre-coursework material and links to student manuals and other materials to help prepare for the class.  

CANCELLATION AND ATTENDANCE POLICY

During the open registration period, students can cancel their registration and receive a refund of their course fee minus a $50 cancellation fee. After registration closes, students will receive no refunds for cancellations. Pre-course work and attendance at all classes are required. We will attempt to provide one make-up field day for anyone who could not attend part or all of the field trips due to illness.

ABOUT AIARE

To learn more about the AIARE approach to avalanche education used by the Mountaineers, visit the AIARE website.