REC1+ Course - La Parva, Chile

Fundamentals of Situational Awareness and Decision Making in Avalanche Terrain

Learning Outcomes:

• Gain an understanding of avalanche beacon technology and receive advanced training in avalanche companion rescue techniques.
• Safe travel in avalanche terrain; protocols, rituals, and human factors.
• Recognize avalanche terrain and the role of slope angles. Estimating and measuring slope angles.
• Introduce Avalanche Release Conceptual model and develop a systematic method for avalanche risk assessment and execution of safe travel plans.
• Gain understanding about the science of snow crystals, metamorphism, and slab avalanche fracture mechanics.
• Understand the impact of weather in the snowpack. Track precipitation, wind, and temperature critical thresholds driving stability.
• Target observations relevant to the avalanche problem of the day.
• Reliable identification of slab and weak layer structures in snow pits. Characterize snowpack structure reactivity with basic stability tests.

FORMAT: 4-Day Level 1 Avalanche Training with 8 hours of classroom and 24 hours of field work that exceeds the American Avalanche Association guidelines of a total of 24 hours.