AIARE Pro 1 - Coming 2019

The 5-day Pro 1 is an entry level course and exam designed to train and certify workers new to the avalanche industry. The Pro 1 course covers skills essential to the workplace including conducting weather, snow and avalanche observations, making an assessment of basic hazard and risk factors, participation in team meetings, succinctly communicating observations in the field, and applying basic safe travel protocols in avalanche terrain.
 
COMING 2019

IMPORTANT BETA

LODGING INCLUDED*

4 nights at The Bunkhouse at Northeast Mountaineering

*As space permits. Requires additional online reservation at The Bunkhouse.

COURSE DETAILS

Length: 5 Days [40 Hours]
Guide-to-Client: 2:12
Price: $775 per person

COMING 2019

AIARE is currently finalizing the curriculum for this course. As soon as they release the course materials, we will begin booking in 2019.

RENTAL GEAR

For this course, you will need an Avalanche Beacon, Probe and Shovel. These items may be rented for $82.50.

Most of the required equipment is available for rent from our affiliate mtnGEAR. AIARE Participants will receive an exclusive discount of 50% beacon, probe and shovel and an additional 20% discount on all rental equipment and clothing.

AIARE PRO 1

Prequisites

Prerequisites

  1. Completion of an AIARE 1 or AAA recognized Level 1 course for student pursuing the Professional track.
  2. Completion of an AIARE Avalanche Rescue Course or AAA recognized Avalanche Rescue course (available starting in late 2017)
  3. One winter season (20 days or more) of relevant experience, demonstrated through one of the following:
    • Prior avalanche work experience or
    • A supervised unpaid work internship in the guiding/avalanche industry, supported by a letter of reference or
    • Winter backcountry travel experience supported by documented trip planning and recorded field observations that contributed to avalanche hazard assessment and personal avalanche risk management or
    • Letter of Recommendation from professional member or
    • AAA Membership, Affiliate or Professional

Required Documents

  • 3 drafted snow profiles from the current winter
  • 3 days of operational hazard forecast forms (or trip plans using the AIARE field book Plan pages) to the AIARE Pro Program Director. Applications will not be accepted without the documentation

Please have documents ready to upload at the time of registration.

Required Reading

  • AIARE 1 Student Manual
  • AIARE 2 Student Manual/Workbook
  • Snow, Weather and Avalanches: Observation Guidelines, Published AAA, 2016 edition (SWAG)
  • The Avalanche Handbook, Dave McLung, 1993 edition

 

Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes

The course introduces participants to team decision making in the avalanche workplace. It provides essential training for those working or planning to work as a ski patrol on the avalanche control team, or as an assistant heli or cat skiing guide, or snow observer for the local avalanche advisory, or as a highways avalanche technician. Students will participate in daily operation meetings, collecting and analyze data and evidence in the field, effectively assessing and communicating hazard and risk factors, and travel safely through avalanche terrain.

Learning Outcomes

  • Demonstrate a basic knowledge of avalanche formation and release
  • Conduct study plot weather observations. Identify relevant weather trends
  • Conduct a snow profile. Choose a relevant test location and identify important layer and interface characteristics. Document using a snow profile form or digital drafting program
  • Conduct a compression test and identify fracture character
  • Conduct an ECT and PST and identify propensity for crack propagation in the weak layer
  • Observe and record avalanche occurrences. Identify important avalanche hazard factors that relate to a recent or current avalanche occurrence
  • Assess current avalanche hazard factors and describe the avalanche problem and the avalanche danger trend
  • Communicate the avalanche riskStudent Learning Objectives between team members
  • Identify and apply strategies to mitigate bias and other challenges to individual and team decision making
  • Relate the current and forecast avalanche problem to specific slopes and terrain features. As part of a trip plan and in the field, identify both terrain to avoid and terrain with less consequence
  • Identify avalanche paths and describe the terrain characteristics that define the start zone, track, and avalanche run out
  • Travel safely over snow in mountainous terrain

 

Assessment

Assessment

Course assessment principles adhere to those described in the American Avalanche Association (AAA) Professional Avalanche Training Guidelines and Proficiencies for the PRO 1 Bridge Course.

Students are sent a description of the assessment plan and evaluation criteria prior to the course start date. A course mark of 70% is required to pass.

Assessment Plan

  • Avalanche rescue skills (pass/fail). This skill is evaluated prior to the course during the Avalanche Rescue course. Students are required to produce the certificate as a requirement for enrollment
  • Observation and Recording (50% of course grade). Students are required to submit documented observations for instructor review prior to the course start date. The students will receive some coaching and direction on the submitted field weather and snow profile observations prior to the start of the course and then again on the first day of the course. Weather and snow profile observations and snowpack tests are reviewed on the first day of the course and the evaluation criteria is explained to each student.
  • Hazard and Risk Analysis Forms and Written Exam (50% of course grade). Students receive both the expectation in the pre course package and a request to submit trip plan or hazard forecast forms for review prior to the course start date. Students receive one opportunity to be coached on the course when they complete a hazard and risk analysis form the first day. Pre course reading and assignments are designed to include topics that will be covered on written exam.Students have the right to retest weather plot and snow profile observations, snowpack tests and the written exam, and can appeal their grades.

 

Course Itinerary

SKIING, RIDING OR SNOWSHOEING

For this course we will be accessing the backcountry. If you own a touring setup or split board you are welcome to skin with the instructor and consequently ski or ride out at the end of the day. Please bring your own AT or Split Board setups as we do not have these available for rent. If you do not ski or ride, please plan to snowshoe - which can be rented from mtnGEAR.

DAY 1: NO GRADING

 
Class: Welcome and introduction: course agenda, logistics, and evaluation criteria

Class: Introduction to the course risk management

Class: Course emergency response plan

Class: Locating a Study Plot

Field: Study Plot Weather Observations

Class: Recording and Documentation

Class: Storm Profile Analysis

Class: PM Operational Meeting

Plan for Tomorrow

 

DAY 2: NO GRADING

 
Field: AM Study Plot Observations

Class: Managing Hazard From New Snow and/or Wind (Part 1)

Class: Managing Hazard from New Snow and/or Wind (Part 2)

Class: Operational Meeting and Forecast

Field: Snow Profile

Field: Snowpack Tests

Field: PM Study Plot Observations

Class: Documenting Snow Profiles

Class: Case History— Potential for Worker Bias with Snowpack Observations

Class: Submit observations to the local advisory

Plan for tomorrow
 

DAY 3: INCLUDES GRADING

 
Field: AM Study Plot Observations

Class: Managing Hazards That Persist in Old Snow Layers

Class: Morning meeting and Trip Plan- For Grades

Guest Presentation: Introduction to Ski Area Avalanche Control Program*

Field: Control route simulation

Field: Managing a cornice problem

Field: Propagation Saw Test

Field: Worker Communication

Field: PM Study Plot Observations

Class: Evening meeting

Class: The risks of working alone

Plan for tomorrow
 

DAY 4: INCLUDES GRADING

 
Field: AM Study Plot Observations

Class: Managing Hazards From Warming or Rain

Class: Morning meeting and Trip Plan

Class: Avalanche path documentation

Field: Terrain exam: Avalanche Paths (5 marks)

Field: Terrain exam: Avalanche terrain observations (10 marks)

Field: Snowpack test exam (ECT and PST 5 marks)

Field: PM Study Plot Observations Practice Exam

Class: PM Operational Form (for 5 marks)

 

DAY 5: INCLUDES GRADING

 
Field: AM Study Plot Observations (Exam 5 marks)

Class: AM Operational Forecast form (5 marks) and AM Meeting

Field: Snow Profile exam (10 marks)

Field: Compression Test exam (5 marks)

Field: Terrain exam—moving safely over terrain (10 marks)

Class: Written exam (20 marks)

Course close
 

 Book Online Now

 

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General Policies

GENERAL POLICIES

NEMs Adventure itineraries are subject to change or be adjusted based on a number of factors. These include, but are not limited to, route conditions, weather, terrain, group dynamics and many other factors. NEM has complete discretion to change plans to accommodate any of these or other factors, including the discretion to change program schedule or itinerary, and change guides or staff, as necessary for the proper and safe conduct of the program. We reserve the right to cancel any program due to inadequate signups, weather or route conditions. In such a case, an NEM credit for the full value is given; however, NEM cannot be responsible for any additional expenses incurred in preparing for the program (i.e., airline tickets, equipment purchase or rental, hotel reservations). NEM reserves the right to dismiss the Participant from a trip at any time if NEM determines, in its sole discretion, that the Participant is not physically, technically, or psychologically prepared for or capable of participating in the program. This includes being under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.

SUMMIT ATTEMPT

Northeast Mountaineering cannot guarantee that you will reach the summit or complete the objective you have signed up for. Weather, route conditions, your own abilities or the abilities of others may create circumstances that make an ascent unsafe, and you or your entire party will have to turn around without reaching the summit. Your program fee entitles you to one mountain experience on your specified dates.

MINIMUM REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS

Most of our programs do not have a minimum enrollment. If you are the only one registered, it will likely become a private outing. For our Waterfall Rappelling adventure, we must have at least 50% enrollment (3 people) to run the adventure. In the event of low-enrollment, we will reschedule your adventure to another date. If another date cannot be accommodated, you will receive an NEM credit.

RISK MANAGEMENT

Safety is NEM’s number one priority. Our guides manage significant hazards inherent in the mountains but they cannot eliminate them. NEM guides draw from their wealth of experience and training to make sound decisions that maximize your experience without compromising the necessary margin of safety. Please clearly understand that mountaineering and all other mountain adventures are inherently hazardous sports. You are choosing to engage in an activity in which participants have been injured and killed. While those accidents are indeed infrequent, they may occur at any time and be out of our control. We ask that participants acknowledge the risk and hazards of these sports, and make their own choices about whether or not to engage in these activities.

NEW ENGLAND ADVENTURES

Payment in full is due at the time of booking. Payments may be made via MasterCard, Visa, American Express, or check.

BEYOND NEW ENGLAND INCLUDING MOUNT RAINIER

A non-refundable deposit of $200 per person secures your reservation but may vary - please check your specific adventure. Payments may be made via MasterCard, Visa, American Express, or check. Final payment is due 1 month [30 days] before departure. For your convenience, we can work out a monthly payment plan.

INTERNATIONAL ADVENTURES

A non-refundable deposit of $200 per person secures your reservation but may vary - please check your specific adventure. Payments may be made via MasterCard, Visa, American Express, or check. Final payment is due 1 month [30 days] before departure. For your convenience, we can work out a monthly payment plan.

CANCELLATION

Up to 30 days before your adventure: Full Refund will be issued 29 days - 72 hours before your adventure: Full Refund in the form of NEM credit Within 72 hours of your adventure: No refund will be issued* In the event that you have a positive COVID-19 test and need to cancel within 72 hours, you will be issued an NEM credit for your adventure. If NEM cancels your adventure due to weather or another unforeseen reason, you will receive an NEM credit.

CHANGE OF DATE

Date changes are subject to availability. Date changes may be requested at anytime up to 7 days prior to your adventure without incurring a date change fee. Date changes may be requested between 7 and 3 days prior to your departure date for a $25 fee per person. There are no date changes allowed within 72 hours before your adventure.

COVID-19 PRECAUTIONS

In the event your guide or a fellow NEM guide or staff has reason to believe they have been exposed to COVID-19 or they are otherwise feeling unwell they will attempt to get a COVID test in time for your adventure or course. In the event of a positive test or the absence of results,  your course or adventure will be rescheduled or you can opt for an NEM credit to use at your discretion. Refunds for travel, lodging or other costs associated with your adventure will not be refunded or reimbursed.