AIARE 2: Analyzing Snow Stability and Avalanche Hazard

Yurt-Based:

We are excited to partner with Inspired Summit Adventures to offer students a full Castel Peak Yurt based AIARE 2 for the 2022/2023 winter season. For more information on the Castle Peak Yurt based AIARE 2 in partnership with Inspired Summit Adventures.

In the past the AIARE 2 was designed to be an entry level professional course. The redesigned AIARE 2 is designed specifically to meet the needs of advanced recreational students who have taken an AIARE 1 and Avalanche Rescue class. The AIARE 2 provides backcountry leaders the opportunity to advance their avalanche knowledge and decision making skills in more complicated situations such as being a leader within a small travel group, traveling in more complicated terrain, and/or developing a travel plan where online resources are scarce. Students will describe and discuss weather, snowpack and avalanche processes, and identify how these processes relate to observations and travel within avalanche terrain.

AIARE 2 Student Learning Outcomes:

• Differentiate where specific avalanche hazards exist within the landscape and identify avalanche terrain where consequences may be more severe.
• Use and interpret weather, snow, and avalanche observations to locate appropriate terrain prior to entering and while in the field.
• Demonstrate leadership skills within a small team that include facilitating small group discussion, promoting appropriate terrain selection, and utilizing simple risk management strategies.
• Implement a basic forecasting framework that can be used in conjunction with and in the absences of local supporting avalanche information.

Instructional Sessions:

The Changing Mountain Snowpack

• AIARE 1 Review
• Mountain Weather
• The Layered Mountain Snowpack
• Trip Planning Review
• Snowprofiles in the Field

Making Quality Observations

• Avalanche Formation and Release
• Interpreting Weather Data, Snow Surface Conditions, and Snow Profiles
• Craftsmanship, Relevancy, and Verification of Snow Observations
• Risk Management in Small Groups
• Snowpack Test in the Field

Applying Observations to Field Decisions

• Traveling in the Field as a Small Team
• Field Risk Management and During Action Review
• Communicating Observations to our group, other travelers, and local experts

For more information call our White Pine Touring Experts at 435-649-8710 or email experts@jans.com.