Curriculum
Curriculum
AVALANCHE SCHOOL: LEVEL I Level I Course Objectives Level I Curriculum Level I Field Sessions • • • AVALANCHE SCHOOL: LEVEL I REFRESHER • Interpreting the area avalanche forecast, including trends and observations • • • AVALANCHE SCHOOL: LEVEL II The Level II is a four-day workshop for those who have completed a three-day Level I Avalanche course. This course is geared toward backcountry travelers who have applied their Level I skills and are either aspiring professionals or recreationists who are ready for more advanced knowledge and skills. This class will focus on technical and scientific aspects of avalanche study and hazard assessment. Students should come having spent time in the backcountry, practiced with their beacons, and have reviewed their Level I material. This is not a Level I refresher. Level II offers a low student to instructor ratio, improving interpersonal interaction and learning. Level II Course Objectives Level II Curriculum Level II Field Sessions
*Note: The instructors and the Board of Directors of the Silverton Avalanche School prohibit any students taking Level I and Level II in the same season.
The Level I school is ideal for current and aspiring backcountry travelers. It will provide an introduction to terrain evaluation, safe travel protocols, route finding, decision making, companion rescue, human factors, mountain weather, recognizing instabilities in the snowpack using observations and tests, simple snow pit profiles and how to apply the current avalanche bulletin to tour planning.
To introduce students to decision making in avalanche terrain, hazard evaluation, companion rescue and safe travel techniques. Afternoon field sessions are held in the mountains surrounding Silverton to provide hands-on experience for small groups ensuring quality field time with our staff.
The Avalanche Phenomena, Decision Making, Backcountry Forecasting, Mountain Snowpack Development, Mountain Weather, Terrain Recognition and Route finding, Tour Preparation, Avalanche Equipment and Companion Rescue.
Friday and Saturday afternoon and most of the day on Sunday you will travel into the field with an instructor to participate experiential sessions that examine topics discussed in the classroom. Field sessions will include: companion rescue, route finding and terrain analysis, travel protocols in practice, snow pits and stability tests and decision making in avalanche terrain.
The Level 1 Refresher begins with a short ski into St Pauls Lodge at the top of Red Mountain Pass.
The Referesher is designed to give students who have taken a Level 1 in the past 5 years a chance to get an update on the latest techniques in avalanche science.
The Evening class time will include:
Overview of planning a safe backcountry tour (including a map reading lesson, integrating weather and avalanche forecasts into your tour plan)
• Interpreting weather forecasts, including trends and observations
• Group member assessment (including assigning roles within the group such as a designated group leader)
• Review Observations Checklist
• Personal/Group gear check
• Safety plan review
Field Session will include:
• Terrain travel, group management
• Observations and information gathering
• Integrating snow observatins while touring
• Extended Column Test
• Saw Propagation Test
• Enroute decision making
• New rescue equipment demo (evac sled, avalung, new beacons)
• Strategic shoveling
• Complete rescue practice including multi-burial (if there is time)
*Note: The instructors and the Board of Directors of the Silverton Avalanche School prohibit any students taking Level I and Level II in the same season. Level II Applicants: We will need you to send us a copy of your Level I completion.
To improve the students avalanche hazard evaluation and personal forecasting. To teach professional methods for weather and snowpack data collection and documentation. To practice route finding skills and applying forecasts to terrain. To gain more experience dealing with complex companion rescue.
Tour Planning, Snowpack Metamorphism, Avalanche Mechanics, Observations: standards and recording, Forecasts, Mountain Weather, Route Finding, Stability Assessment, Decision Making, Group Management, Full and Test Pit Profiles, Rescue Leadership and Multiple Burial Scenarios.
Thursday, Friday and Saturday afternoon and most of the day on Sunday you will travel into the field with an instructor to participate in experiential sessions that examine topics discussed in the classroom. Field sessions include: multiple burial companion rescue, route finding and safe travel, backcountry stability assessment, full and test pit profiles, fracture line profiles and a snow crystallography lab. These sessions will also be an opportunity for instructors to evaluate where students need continued study to best support their aspirations.