Avalanche Training

AIARE – Avalanche Level 1

$329/person
7:1 student to instructor ratio
Minimum of 4 needed to run this course

Renaissance Adventure Guides is pleased to offer you the opportunity to increase your knowledge of avalanche conditions and safety while recreating in the winter mountain landscape.  Learn about the factors that contribute to avalanches, snow pack analysis, route finding and rescue beacon usage.  The first evening of the course is held in Golden Colorado.  The subsequent weekend sessions are mixed days of field work and classroom lessons in beautiful Rocky Mountain National Park and Estes Park.  Field work occurs outside in any weather conditions so come prepared for anything that Mother Nature might have in store for us.  You will spend time digging snow pits, practicing rescue skills and much more.

When leaving this class you will have a good understanding of the following:
• Factors that lead to the formation and release of avalanches.
• Recognition of avalanche terrain and the terrain factors that make avalanches more or less likely to occur.
• Creation of the mountain snowpack and how the layers are formed and change over time.
• About the importance of observations and the critical avalanche danger factors we call “red flags.”
• The critical role “human factors” play in avalanche incidents and avoiding them.
• The importance of planning and preparation in creating safe and rewarding back country adventures.
• Using the local avalanche bulletin in both planning your trip and informing decision making in the field.
• Integration of your field observations with the avalanche bulletin danger rating to guide terrain selection and route finding.
• Use of travel techniques to reduce your exposure to risk and/or the consequences of an accident.

Itinerary
Day 1 – Evening classroom:
Intro and course goals
The decision making framework
Avalanche types and characteristics
Avalanche terrain
Formation of the mountain snowpack

Day 2 - Classroom session:
Avalanche danger rating scale
Field observation categories
Companion rescue equipment and techniques

Field session:
Demonstration of rescue beacon use
Practice rescue beacon search and rescue scenarios

Day 3 – Classroom session:
Human factors in avalanche incidents
Trip planning and preparation
Decision making
Travel techniques

Field session:
Tour into avalanche terrain
Route finding
Snowpack evaluation and stability tests
Travel techniques and group decision making processes

Recommended Gear for Avalanche Level 1 Course

Personal Equipment:
Clothing for activities and standing in cold/snowy weather (no cotton)
• long underwear
• insulating layers
• outer layer (wind/waterproof)
• warm gloves, mitts, headband, and hat
• Goggles and sunglasses
• Small personal first aid kit (sunscreen/lip-balm, moleskin, band-aids, medication, etc.)
• Water Bottle (pack bladders do not work well or at all in cold temps) and Thermos
• Lunch and snacks
• Pack (large enough for all equipment on day ski-tours)

Backcountry Travel:
• Snow travel equipment. Snowshoes, telemark or alpine touring skis and split boards are acceptable. Nordic (cross country) ski gear is not adequate for backcountry travel in avalanche terrain.
• Boots. Must be warm and compatible with your snow travel gear. If you are using snow shoes, you should have some sort of double boots (Sorel or other “pac” type boots). Hiking boots are not warm enough.
• Collapsible ski poles (trekking poles are only adequate if they are equipped with snow baskets)

Rescue Equipment:
• Avalanche probe
• Collapsible shovel
• Avalanche transceiver (rescue beacon)

Other Equipment:
• Field Book (Provided)

Gear Provided free of charge for 2011/2012 season:
• Snowshoes, poles and gaiters
• Beacon, Probe and Shovel

Location and Dates

Golden, Co / Rocky Mountain Nat’l Park

If the participant is under the age of 18 a parent or guardian must sign a participant agreement.Participant Agreement

Cancellation (Refund) Policy

Golden Location

Denver Location

Rutshblock test

Avalanche Training

• avalanche awareness
• AIARE – Avalanche Level 1
• AIARE - Avalanche Level 2
• Private Course Rates

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Schedule Your Personal Adventure

Renaissance Adventure Guides
Denver, Colorado 80209 USA
Office: 303-988-2943
Lyle cell: 303-258-6049
Toll Free/Fax: 866-424-8433
info@raguides.com

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