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HOME > NORTH CONWAY > BACKCOUNTRY SKI > AIARE Level I- Decision-Making in Avalanche Terrain Planning and preparing for smart travel in avalanche terrain Recognizing avalanche terrain Practicing safe travel techniques Basic framework for making decisions in avalanche terrain Learning and applying effective companion rescue Do you spend time backcountry skiing or snowboarding, winter hiking, mountaineering or ice climbing? It doesn’t matter if you’re staying in the Northeast or heading out West, you owe it to yourself and your companions to learn all you can about avalanche hazard management. This 3 day/24 hour introductory course will provide you with a basic understanding of avalanches.

The American Institute of Avalanche Research and Education (AIARE) Level I Certification Course is a 3-day program that combines classroom work with field experience to provide a solid basis for decision-making in avalanche terrain. We’ll cover such topics as recognizing avalanche-prone slopes, assessing avalanche hazards on-site, route-finding and travel techniques, and skills and equipment for companion rescue. Students must be able to travel in mountainous winter terrain. Alpine Touring or Telemark Skis with skins are the preferred mode of travel, but hikers with snowshoes or snowboarders can be accommodated. The AIARE Level I course is a 3 day/24 hour introduction to avalanche hazard management. The course is expected to: Provide a basic understanding of avalanches Describe a framework for decision making and risk management in avalanche terrain Focus on identifying the right questions, rather than on providing “answers.” Give lessons and exercises that are practically oriented, useful, and applicable in the field. Students can expect to develop a good grounding in how to prepare for and carry out a trip, to understand basic decision making while in the field, and to learn rescue techniques required to find and dig up a buried person (if an avalanche occurs and someone in the party is caught). A final debrief includes a knowledge quiz to test student comprehension and to give feedback to instructors on instructional tools. Students are encouraged and counseled on how to apply the skills learned and told that no course can fully guarantee safety, either during or after course completion. A link is made to a future AIARE Level II course. At the end of the Level One course the student should be able to: Plan and prepare for travel in avalanche terrain Recognize avalanche terrain Describe a basic framework for making decisions in avalanche terrain Learn and apply effective companion rescue Instructional sessions (24 hours including both class and field instruction): 1. Introduction to the Avalanche Phenomena Types and characteristics of avalanches Avalanche motion Size classification The mountain snowpack: an introduction to metamorphism and layering 2. Observations and Information Gathering Field observation techniques Bonding tests: rutschblock, compression test Avalanche danger factors; “Red Flags” Observation checklist Avalanche danger scale Trip Planning and Preparation Avalanche terrain recognition, assessment, and selection Route finding and travel techniques Decision making and Human Factors Companion Rescue and Equipment This is a sanctioned curriculum offered by AIARE-trained instructors, and an AIARE Certificate of Completion is granted to all participants who complete the course.

North Conway, NH: $300 per person on these dates 2011 dates coming soon! Lake Placid, NY: $300 per person on this date January 31-2 Start/ End: Each day 8:30am to approximately 4pm (Lake Placid, NY 9am start). North Conway schedule Day 1- Indoor classroom all day. Day 2- Short morning classroom, and then some outdoor Weather/ Snowpack Observations and Rescue (beacon) practice. Not a very physical day (gaiters and warm boots). End of day return to classroom for short “trip planning” exercises, pick up rental gear (please make these reservations in advance) and prep for next days field day. Day 3- Field day. Meet at Pinkham Notch Visitors Center 8:30am sharp. Morning meeting then head up to Tuckerman’s Ravine. Includes: beacon, probe, shovel, ice axe, plastic double boots, crampons, AIARE student manual Does Not Include: lodging, transportation, personal gear and clothing, meals (skis and skins not included but can be rented. AIARE field books can be purchased for $20 on your first day) Prerequisite: none Driving Directions Local Information Guide

Equipment List for AIARE Level I- Decision-Making in Avalanche Terrain EMS Climbing School Provides: All technical equipment including, plastic double boots, crampons, ice axes, and snowshoes. You Provide: (Required) In these courses, you will be going above treeline and will be exposed to the elements on one or two of the days. In this environment, it is essential that you pay closer attention to being dressed appropriately for your personal safety. Dressing in layers works the best. This way, you can take off or add on any layers to adjust to the changing environment as you heat up and cool down. Wearing your “winter coat” or heavy “snow pants” is not the best choice when trying to dress in layers. Most likely, you will overheat when being active and you’ll end up sweating and expending more energy than needed. Cotton has no place in your winter layering system: it keeps you cold if you sweat and it takes a long time to dry out. Synthetic fabrics or wool keep you warmer when they become wet with sweat and certain synthetic base layers are designed to wick the sweat away from your skin to keep you drier and warmer. In order to make your experience more enjoyable, please do not wear any cotton as layering pieces. Also, remember, you have to carry all your clothing with you, so packing efficiently is important. If you can't wear it all at once, you don’t need to bring it. If you have questions about how many or which items to bring, please call 800-310-4504. We expect that you will be dressed and ready to go upon arrival to your lesson. Day one for both courses is primarily indoors, so you can dress accordingly, but bring warmer clothes with you on that day when doing certain observations. *indicates rental item from the climbing school or retail store. Call 800-310-4504 to discuss rental needs. Not all EMSCS locations are equipped with rental gear. Please inquire at the time of your reservation. Base Layer (top and bottom) Light to mid-weight synthetics, snug fit and close to skin, eg. EMS® Techwick®. Over-Base Layer (top and bottom) Light-weight fleece or heavy-weight EMS® Techwick®. Power-Stretch and micro-fleece are ideal materials for this layer. No heavy, 300 weight fleece trousers—you will be over-dressed. Insulation Layer (jacket only) 200 to 300 weight fleece, heavy weight soft shell or Prima-Loft sweater Uninsulated Waterproof/breathable Shell (jacket and pants) EMS System III, Gortex®, or similar waterproof/breathable material. Jacket MUST have an integrated hood. Flimsy “stow-away” nylon hoods are not adequate. Full side zip pants are helpful. "Over-It-All" (jacket) A.K.A. "Puffy" - Hooded, Down or Prima-Loft Jacket. Gloves/Mittens (2 pair) 1 pair ski/ice climbing gloves and 1 pair of Mittens. Waterproof/breathable is ideal. Fleece Hat *Backpack Wool/Synthetic Socks (2 pair) *Gaiters These should fit around your entire calf as well as fit over your pant layering system and a plastic ice climbing boot. Summer hiking gaiters will not fit over plastic boots and leg layers. Balaclava *Ski Goggles 1 pair required but 2 pair is helpful Neoprene Facemask No “windproof” face masks. Must be neoprene for the best prevention against frostbite. Headlamp Lunch Peanut butter and jelly, cheese and pepperoni…whatever you normally eat on the trail. Temps may be well below freezing, so choose food accordingly, and make sure you can open it and eat it with gloves on. Snacks Trail mix and energy bars Water 1-2 liters Use a wide-mouth Nalgene plastic bottle. No thin plastic Poland Spring bottles, water bladder hydration systems, or metal water bottles. Sunwear Sunglasses and Sun-block Optional Items Camera Light-weight thermos (1 liter max, with a hot drink in it) Water Bottle Insulator (old "clean" socks work well) Hand/Foot Warmers Trekking Poles Money for Souvenirs! (Climbing School t-shirts, travel mugs, ceramic mugs and water bottles available) Additional Required Materials: Field Notebook and pencil (limited AIARE Field books available from EMSCS for $20) Helmet (required for skiers and riders, hikers exempt) Optional *Alpine-touring or Telemark Skis, Climbing Skins, Boots and poles Snowboard (may need to rent snowshoes based on conditions) Trekking poles for hikers *may be rented through EMS at least two weeks in advance of your course. Call 603-356-5433 ext. 1 Missing anything on this list? Don't forget your 20% discount EMS coupon that comes with your Climbing School confirmation letter!