Getting the most out of an AIARE Level 1 class?

Work has moved me from NJ to CO so now that I'll be skiing in avy terrain, it's time for me to get some avy knowledge before I kill myself or my partners.

I'm looking at some classes in mid-December, either with Eli Helmuth or CMS in RMNP. With a mid-december class, is there a risk of a minimal snow pack providing less opportunity for learning? Would I be better served waiting till later in the season?

Anything else I should do to maximize my learning? Is there anything you wish you owned or did before your first class?

Thanks all

Good thread idea. I'm signed up for the level one class at Stevens pass on Jan 9-11 so I will be watching this thread.

I had the same thought about minimal snowpack as Northwest Mountain School offers December dates as well.

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Originally Posted by BrokeSomeRibs

Work has moved me from NJ to CO so now that I'll be skiing in avy terrain, it's time for me to get some avy knowledge before I kill myself or my partners.

I'm looking at some classes in mid-December, either with Eli Helmuth or CMS in RMNP. With a mid-december class, is there a risk of a minimal snow pack providing less opportunity for learning? Would I be better served waiting till later in the season?

Anything else I should do to maximize my learning? Is there anything you wish you owned or did before your first class?

Thanks all

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Definitely read or at least skim tremper's book beforehand. Show up with a crystal card and magnifying loop and 30 cm snow saw. Depth markings on your probe are nice to have, too. But it's not worth buying a new one just to have them if you already own a probe. Familiarize yourself with your beacon beforehand and practice a little.

I think you'll have an interesting enough snowpack by December. You'll have a few storms worth of layers by then and probably some fun facets to poke.

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Originally Posted by Sirshredalot

I think you'll have an interesting enough snowpack by December.

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this. An early season snowpack can be a VERY weak/interesting snowpack. Plus the pack may be shallow enough where you are able to dig to the ground and get the full story.

There will be stuff to look at in December. Level 1 is more about travel protocol, terrain selection, gear use, and human factors than about snowpack anyway.

Read Snow Sense in it's entirety before the class.

Going through Tremper's book certainly isn't a bad idea, but it's a bit more in-depth than a level 1 anyway. I'd actually recommend reading Tremper immediately AFTER taking the class.

If you're buying new stuff, practice with your gear beforehand. All of it. Skins, beacon, shovel, probe, pack, slopemeter, etc. Any time the guide has to spend time teaching you (or your classmates) how to use your basic shit is less time spent talking avy stuff. They'll teach the correct methods of how to shovel, but you don't want to make the guide teach you how to assemble and disassemble it, for example. Same with beacon searches, etc.

You won't use a crystal card and magnifying glass in L1. You might use a snow saw to do some basic pit work but AIARE has moved most of that to L2 in order to focus more on terrain and human factors in L1.

If you're not a very fit individual, change that by getting fit. Too many classes see a mixed bag of fitness levels which is really hard for all parties involved.

I'd say volunteer as often as you can during the class to be the test subject who attempts a pit/shovel/etc. test, whatever, as going through the motions and getting a physical feel for the snow/tests really helped me bring it home and memorize it. Versus standing back and watching.

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Originally Posted by Ryan Dunfee

I'd say volunteer as often as you can during the class to be the test subject who attempts a pit/shovel/etc. test, whatever, as going through the motions and getting a physical feel for the snow/tests really helped me bring it home and memorize it. Versus standing back and watching.

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^^^ This ^^^

And in class when something isn't clear, ask questions or discuss. If you are missing something, so are others.

The most important thing is what you do AFTER your training: apply what you were taught, especially trip planning, recognising avalanche terrain and human factors. Doing the course won't help you otherwise.

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Originally Posted by Sirshredalot

Show up with a crystal card and magnifying loop

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Are thy still teaching that stuff??? I would check first.

X2 on knowing your gear before hand. Don't make the instructor have to teach you how to put skins on or work your bindings. Practice skinning at the local ski hill. Also, practice using your beacon, and setting up your probe. There's a ton of info online on how to do all of this.

And December will be great for a class. You'll get a close look at the shitty layers that you'll be dealing with the rest of the season, and it'll give you the rest of the season to practice and use your skills.

Lastly, get in the habit of checking the CAIC website everyday. Start now. Peruse through the Observations tab, read past accident reports, and learn from the mistakes of others. This is probably the most valuable tool you can get and it's free, unless you decide to donate to them, which you should.

http://avalanche.state.co.us

Try to get a good group when going into the field. People who seem like they've traveled in the backcountry.

I got stuck in a group with a first time split-boarder. Fucking miserable.

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Originally Posted by shredgnar

X2 on knowing your gear before hand. Don't make the instructor have to teach you how to put skins on or work your bindings. Practice skinning at the local ski hill. Also, practice using your beacon, and setting up your probe. There's a ton of info online on how to do all of this.

http://avalanche.state.co.us

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Good advice here ^. I had a guy in my class that had rented all his gear and had never even tried to put his boot in dynafit bindings before showing up to class. You wouldn't believe how much of the class time we spent waiting on this clown. Don't be that guy. Same with all the rest of the gear.

If you've done some reading before the class and at least are familiar with all the terminology, it will help in how much information you absorb and will help you to ask better and more informative questions.

Also, take the drills and rescue scenarios seriously instead of just going through the motion to satisfy the instructor. It may seem silly but where else are you going to get that close to a real rescue scenario? Volunteer to take lead or be a test dummy. Be involved.

Great info everyone. Thanks for weighing in. Keep it coming too! This is probably a good candidate to add to the sticky above?

I did mine in RMNP when the snowpack was thin. NBD there will still be plenty of snowpack variety to learn from and I'm sure you'll find some wind loaded areas for your pit tests.

Make sure you bring appropriate cold weather gear as you'll be sitting for a few hours during portions of the field work.

RMNP is probably my favorite places to ski. Have fun!

I took my L1 with CMS last year. I was very happy with the class. Russel was the teacher. I did a weekend class in March. Stayed right up there in their dorms. I wouldn't worry about the snowpack to much. They focus on mostly other things. They give you reading material before the class. Show up with questions.

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Originally Posted by adrenalated

Read Snow Sense in it's entirety before the class.

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Is this the book?

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/s/ref=is...refix=snow+sen

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Originally Posted by NW_SKIER

Is this the book?

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/s/ref=is...refix=snow+sen

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That be the one.

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Originally Posted by UllrsParadise

Also, take the drills and rescue scenarios seriously instead of just going through the motion to satisfy the instructor. It may seem silly but where else are you going to get that close to a real rescue scenario? Volunteer to take lead or be a test dummy. Be involved.

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this. Yeah, you'll feel like a dork compared to your high school self, but it's so worth it. You're paying for it. Get your money's worth.

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Originally Posted by adrenalated

That be the one.

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Great thank you. Ordering soon. Class in January.

+1 for using your stuff a few times before the class. This might be obvious, but try to avoid ending up in a group with anybody using snowshoes Crap

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Originally Posted by wag

+1 for using your stuff a few times before the class. This might be obvious, but try to avoid ending up in a group with anybody using snowshoes Crap

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I have two buddies taking the class with me and the ratio of clients to guide is 7:1 so hopefully the other 4 have their shit together. Nothing I can do about that.

a healthy person on snowshoes is as fast as a fat person on AT gear.

Bumping this up for the new winter season

look around for non AIARE alternative classes
never took avvy 1
but took a semester long snow science class thru the u that totally blew away the weekend avvy 2 class for about the same $$$
it was a 4 hour a week class time w/ 5 hours field time every fri and bonus ask the instructors whatever during happy hour at the gmd or rustler
that class garnered no cert because skipped a lot of companion rescue and some important things, but
that certs like a degree aint much more than a piece of paper.
using the knowledge is what matters
and that class gave me way more snow geekery knowledge than avvy 2
dug 10x the pits got to observe the snowpack over a semester vrs. a weeekend

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Originally Posted by Sirshredalot

Show up with a crystal card and magnifying loop and 30 cm snow saw.

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Are these really needed for a level 1 class? I am taking my class soon and they were not on the gear list???

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Originally Posted by kenaiking

Are these really needed for a level 1 class? I am taking my class soon and they were not on the gear list???

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Originally Posted by adrenalated

You won't use a crystal card and magnifying glass in L1. You might use a snow saw to do some basic pit work but AIARE has moved most of that to L2 in order to focus more on terrain and human factors in L1.

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.

Jeez, go back to jersey, we got enough jamokes in the state.

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Originally Posted by skifishbum

look around for non AIARE alternative classes
never took avvy 1
but took a semester long snow science class thru the u that totally blew away the weekend avvy 2 class for about the same $$$
it was a 4 hour a week class time w/ 5 hours field time every fri and bonus ask the instructors whatever during happy hour at the gmd or rustler
that class garnered no cert because skipped a lot of companion rescue and some important things, but
that certs like a degree aint much more than a piece of paper.
using the knowledge is what matters
and that class gave me way more snow geekery knowledge than avvy 2
dug 10x the pits got to observe the snowpack over a semester vrs. a weeekend

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You take that Geog 4140 or wharever at the U? I took it back in 02 or so, great course. Classes down in Murray, field trips in LCC. Fun times, 4 credits so we had to calculate angle of expected fracture, etc.

The instructor was about 70, old guard at alta. I had a snowboard for the class and hiked. One time he was reading my notes at the pit on "Patsey Marley's backside." He did not see humor in the pun... but I did have the right snow profile ;)

Your instructor should give you some pre-course assignments or reading. Do them.

Being of at least average fitness and basically competent on your mode of travel will give you and everyone else a better experience. You'll cover more ground plus you learn better if you aren't focused on catching your breath every time a field group stops to talk.

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Originally Posted by Ryan Dunfee

I'd say volunteer as often as you can during the class to be the test subject who attempts a pit/shovel/etc. test, whatever, as going through the motions and getting a physical feel for the snow/tests really helped me bring it home and memorize it. Versus standing back and watching.

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If your class only had one or a few students doing each skill you described instead of rotating all students through at least once, you had a crappy instructor.

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Originally Posted by SirShredsAlot

Show up with a crystal card and magnifying loop and 30 cm snow saw.

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Maybe... many AIARE L1 courses barely touch on snow pit tests. Of course I think a saw is a great idea, and it should be at least 35cm.

Few if any L1 classes focus on crystal ID. Sure I did that in my L1 in 2003, but that isn't the best use of student time. I carry extra magnifiers and cards because I never expect an L1 student to have them. I show crystals to match classroom ideas to the real world and primarily for the ooh-ahh factor. But I don't expect L1 students to have a use for these tools or to identify crystals on their own beyond facets they can see without a lens.

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Depth markings on your probe are nice to have, too. But it's not worth buying a new one just to have them if you already own a probe.

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I actually disagree. Depth markings are pretty important for many reasons from checking for variations as you travel, to rescue, to use in the pit.

Before class: Know your gear and be reasonably fit so you aren't the slow one.

After class: Get out in the terrain as soon and as frequently as possible to reinforce what you learned. Using the blue book before, during, and after a trip really helps to keep the foundational concepts fresh in mind so they can be built upon.

TO CLARIFY ABOVE ADVICE:

AFTER: Yes, get out and practice your decision-making skills, but please do so under the mentorship and guidance of more experienced skiers. An unskilled Level 1 graduate is a dangerous thing.

BEFORE: Be in shape and know your gear. If you spend time fumbling with your zippers or catching your breath, you aren't focused on the course. You do not need a crystal card, thermometers or a saw for an AIARE 1 course. Change the batteries in your transceiver. Buy an inclinometer. ("What about the one in my phone?" No.) Waterproof your gloves. Trim and wax. (...your skins, freak) Throw away the sleeve your probe came in. Practice opening and closing it with your gloves on in the dark. For extra credit, watch A Dozen More Turns
"A Dozen More Turns"

Enjoy your course.

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Originally Posted by Pinner

TO CLARIFY ABOVE ADVICE:

AFTER: Yes, get out and practice your decision-making skills, but please do so under the mentorship and guidance of more experienced skiers. An unskilled Level 1 graduate is a dangerous thing.

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YES, thank you! An unskilled level 1 can be dangerous, although probably more cautious and less dangerous than a semi-experienced level 1. Kind of like general aviation. Newly minted private pilots aren't the ones killing themselves. It's the guys with a couple hundred hours who think they got it dialed when they really don't know what they don't know yet. Glad AIARE is focusing on human factors!

Seems a good time to point out that even if you're out with a BC god, you can AND SHOULD be an active and vocal member of the group. You won't learn much if you just let someone experienced guide you around. Ask questions, speak up if you have a bad feeling, say no if you're not comfortable. If they give you shit for asking questions or saying no to a line, that's not a good BC partner IMO. There are countless examples of avalanche survivors saying they felt weird about a line, but were with a bunch of "pros" and didn't speak up. There is always somewhere safe to ski, and that untouched line might be untouched for a damn good reason, even if you can't figure it out.

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Originally Posted by NW_SKIER

Good thread idea. I'm signed up for the level one class at Stevens pass on Jan 9-11 so I will be watching this thread.

I had the same thought about minimal snowpack as Northwest Mountain School offers December dates as well.

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I just took the class with Patty at Stevens Pass. Really well done and loved the way the class is set up. On the third day you have the choice of accessing the terrain from Cowboy Mountain or hike up Skyline Ridge.

Have fun!

Great thread.