AIARE Level 1 Avalanche Safety

Kaf Offers two formats for our AIARE 1 Course: a three-day and a four-day course.

Three-Day Itinerary:

Day 1: Lecture day in town at Kaf Adventures (Seattle) or Portland 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Also offered in Idaho through our partner: Selkirk Powder.

This full-day lecture includes an overview of avalanche types and characteristics. We will introduce case studies to analyze avalanche incidents. Course progression includes:

Introduction to the Avalanche Phenomena:

• Types and characteristics of avalanches
• Avalanche motion
• Size classification
• The mountain snowpack: an introduction to metamorphism and layering

Trip Planning and Preparation:

• Avalanche terrain recognition, assessment, and selection
• Route finding and travel techniques
• Decision making and Human Factors

Day 2 – Meet at Kaf Adventures (Seattle) or Portland 7 a.m. – 6 p.m.

• This day will involve a combination of indoor and outdoor training. The day will start with a discussion of weather observations and how to use a daily avalanche bulletin to assess risk. After the initial discussion, we will travel to an outdoor location to introduce beacons and companion rescue. The day ends with a route planning session as we prepare for our final day, a full day in the mountains.

Day 3: Meets at the Kaf Headquarters or Portland 7 a.m. – 6 p.m.

• The day will start with a discussion of weather observations and how to use a daily avalanche bulletin to assess risk. We will then carpool to an outdoor location to travel into the backcountry. During the day we focus on appropriate travel techniques, features of the snowpack, and terrain identification. We end the day with a mock rescue scenario and debrief.

Four-Day Itinerary

The four-day itinerary separates the day of lectures into two evenings of lectures;

• Day 1: Lecture in town at Kaf Adventures (Seattle) or Portland 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.
• Day 2: Lecture in town at Kaf Adventures (Seattle) or Portland 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.
  

The lectures these two evenings involve instructor and group introductions, followed by an overview of avalanche types and characteristics. We will introduce case studies to analyze avalanche incidents. Course progression includes:

Introduction to the Avalanche Phenomena:

• Types and characteristics of avalanches
• Avalanche motion
• Size classification
• The mountain snowpack: an introduction to metamorphism and layering

Trip Planning and Preparation:

• Avalanche terrain recognition, assessment, and selection
• Route finding and travel techniques
• Decision making and Human Factors

Day 3: Meet at Kaf Adventures (Seattle) or Portland 7 a.m. – 6 p.m.

• This day will involve a combination of indoor and outdoor training. The day will start with a discussion of weather observations and how to use a daily avalanche bulletin to assess risk. After the initial discussion, we will travel to an outdoor location to introduce beacons and companion rescue. The day ends with a route planning session as we prepare for our final day, a full day in the mountains.

Day 4: Meets at the Kaf Headquarters 7 a.m. – 6 p.m.

• The day will start with a discussion of weather observations and how to use a daily avalanche bulletin to assess risk. We will then carpool to an outdoor location to travel into the backcountry. During the day, we focus on appropriate travel techniques, features of the snowpack, and terrain identification. We end the day with a mock rescue scenario and debrief.

• 18+ for adult courses or 16+ with consent from a guardian and Kaf approval
• 12-18 for youth courses

The Level 1 Avalanche Course is a stand-alone course. Some backcountry snow travel is highly recommended.

• Describe a basic framework for making decisions in avalanche terrain.
  
• Plan and prepare for travel in avalanche terrain.
  
• Identify avalanche terrain.
  
• Learn and apply effective companion rescue.

• 24 hours of professional instruction
  
• AIARE Level 1 curriculum handouts to add to their home library
  
• An AIARE field book
  
• A group snow study kit
  
• AIARE 1 Certificate

• Winter travel equipment
  
• Transportation
  
• Lunch
  
• Personal layers
  
• Personal avalanche safety gear: beacon, probe, and shovel

You will need to provide one of the following snow travel tools:

• Snowshoes with waterproof boots (we recommend insulated boots)
  
• Skis, boots, and bindings (Metal edge skis, plastic boots, and Randonee/alpine touring/downhill Telemark bindings). Please note: Cross-country skis will not work for backcountry tours.
  
• Splitboard with adjustable bindings that move into “tour” mode efficiently (Soft boots are okay, and hard boots are preferred)
• Additional equipment needed:
  • Personal avalanche safety gear: beacon, probe, and shovel.
    
  • Personal layers

Transportation and times will be coordinated by email when the pre-trip announcement is sent to all registrants.

Consider joining a Skiing/Splitboarding: Intermediate course to spend more time with a professional instructor in the field.