Avalanche Aware // Avalanche Terrain Avoidance - PPG

In order to AVOID avalanche terrain, you must be capable of RECOGNIZING IT. This is why you take Avalanche Aware.

This hybrid course consists of an online seminar in CoAssemble, a 3-hour classroom review/tools training session, and a 4-hour field day. All three components are required for students who want to learn how to recognize and avoid avalanche terrain.

• After registering, you will receive access to the online portion of the course. Upon signing up you will also select an in-person classroom session and field day.
• The online portion of the course must be completed at least 10 days before the in-person session.

This course is required for CMC leaders who wish to lead trips in snow covered, non-avalanche terrain. 

Our Learning Objectives are:

• Understand why Colorado has the most dangerous avalanche conditions in the US.
• Learn what an avalanche is and what factors contribute to an avalanche.
• Understand and apply current avalanche forecast.
• Recognize & avoid avalanche hazards.
• Use tools for planning a successful trip.
• Learn from case studies of an avalanche accident.
• You will learn to use on-line slope-shading tools in mapping applications that will allow you to plan trips which avoid avalanche terrain. As part of this training we will do a short review on how to read a topographic map. Being able to read maps is critical to the content of the materials presented.
• You will learn how to use slope meters to assess slope angles in the field which allow you to visually identify avalanche terrain