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  • Lead guide at Guided Exposure demonstrating a snow pit profile during an AIAIRE 2 course at Mount Baker.
  • Looking at snow crystals with a loupe to see the shape and size of the snow. Identifying layers in the snowpack during an AIARE 2 course in the Mount Baker backcountry.
  • This is what snow looks like through a loupe. Identifying types of snow is practiced during AIARE 2 courses.
  • Snowpack layering can be connected to dates and weather. Layers of the snowpack have been labeled by depth and date.
  • This is what looking at individual snow grains is like. Snow is on the blue plastic crystal card and you look at the grains through a magnifying glass called a loupe.
  • Looking at columns of snow in a snow study pit during an AIARE 2 course. There's so much snow!
  • Two AIARE 2 students in their snow pit recording observations and findings.
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AIARE 2

Regular price
$600.00 USD
Regular price
Sale price
$600.00 USD

The AIARE 2 is for ANYONE, regardless of method of travel, who wants to recreate in or near avalanche terrain. Our AIARE 2 surpasses national standards during this three-day / 24-hour course in avalanche hazard management. All courses will feature online learning modules, in person classroom sessions, along with 3 field days at Mount Baker in Washington. 

Our custom crafted AIARE course provides several online learning resources for self paced work leading up to our in person sessions. We will have a 1 hour virtual session in the week before our course. Our specially crafted courses give you 25% more field time with our pro instructors in the North Cascade Mountains in Washington and less time sitting inside suffering from power point fatigue. 

The AIARE 2 is a three-day/24-hour course that provides backcountry travelers an opportunity to advance their decision making skills in more complicated situations such as being a leader within a small travel group, traveling in more complicated terrain, and/or developing a travel plan where resources are scarce.

The AIARE 2 builds on the introductory avalanche hazard management model introduced in the AIARE 1 and adds to it the evaluation of critical hazard assessment factors. Students will describe and discuss weather, snowpack and avalanche processes, and identify how these processes relate to observations and travel within avalanche terrain.

The AIARE 2 is a three-day course for those who have taken an AIARE 1 and Avalanche Rescue and have had at least a year of backcountry travel experience. The AIARE 2 provides backcountry leaders the opportunity to advance their avalanche knowledge and decision making skills.

Advance Your Avalanche Safety Knowledge with Our AIARE 2 Course

Our AIARE 2 Avalanche Course is a comprehensive three-day, 24-hour program designed to enhance your decision-making skills in complex backcountry situations. Perfect for those who aspire to lead small travel groups, navigate more challenging terrain, and develop travel plans with limited resources, this course builds upon the foundational concepts introduced in AIARE 1.

Course Overview

The AIARE 2 course deepens your understanding of avalanche hazard management by focusing on critical hazard assessment factors. You'll learn to analyze weather, snowpack, and avalanche processes and understand how these elements influence observations and travel decisions in avalanche terrain.

Who Should Take This Course?

Ideal for individuals who have completed AIARE 1 and Avalanche Rescue, and who have at least one year of backcountry travel experience. AIARE 2 is tailored for backcountry leaders looking to enhance their avalanche knowledge and decision-making capabilities.

Why Choose Our Course?

  • Experienced Instructors: Learn from seasoned avalanche professionals who provide expert guidance and mentorship.
  • Hands-On Learning: Benefit from a blend of classroom instruction and practical field experience in the North Cascade Mountains.
  • Enhanced Skills: Gain advanced avalanche hazard assessment and decision-making skills to confidently lead backcountry adventures.

Join Us for an Unforgettable Learning Experience

Enhance your avalanche safety skills and become a more confident and knowledgeable backcountry leader. Register now for our AIARE 2 Avalanche Course and take your avalanche education to the next level.

Learning Outcomes

  • Hazard Identification: Differentiate where specific avalanche hazards exist within the landscape and identify terrain where avalanche consequences are more severe.
  • Observation and Analysis: Use and interpret weather, snow, and avalanche observations to select appropriate terrain before and during field travel.
  • Leadership Skills: Demonstrate leadership within a small team, facilitate group discussions, promote appropriate terrain selection, and utilize risk management strategies.
  • Forecasting: Implement a basic forecasting framework to use with or without local supporting avalanche information.

 

Itinerary

  • Day 0: Start with self-guided online learning followed by a two-hour virtual check-in.
  • Day 1: Participate in an in-person classroom session in Glacier and a field day at Heather Meadows.
  • Day 2: Continue with a brief in-person classroom session in Glacier and more field practice at Heather Meadows.
  • Day 3: Wrap up with a brief in-person classroom session in Glacier and a final field day at Heather Meadows.

 

Gear List

Clothing

Base Layer

Men’s

Women’s

Thermal Bottom

O.R. Alpine Onset Bottoms

O.R. Alpine Onset Bottoms

Thermal Top

O.R. Alpine Onset Crew

O.R. Onset Crew

Ski Socks

 

 

Mid Layer

Men’s

Women’s

Soft Shell

O.R. Ferrosi Hooded Jacket

O.R. Ferrosi Hooded Jacket

       or

or

or

Fleece Jacket

O.R. Vigor Fleece Hoodie

O.R. Vigor Hooded Jacket

Outerwear

Men’s

Women’s

Lightweight Waterproof Jacket

O.R. Skyward II Jacket

O.R. Skyward II Jacket

Lightweight Waterproof Pants

O.R. Skyward II Pants

 

O.R. Skyward II Pants

 

 

Warm Hat, Beanie

O.R. Beanie

O.R. Beanie

Sun Hat, Ball Cap, Visor

O.R. Swift Cap

O.R. Swift Cap

Lightweight Gloves

O.R. Extravert Gloves

O.R. Stormtracker Gloves

Ski Gloves

O.R. Arete Glove

O.R. Arete Gloves

Insulation

Men’s

Women’s

Down

O.R. Transcendent Down Jacket

O.R. Transcendent Down Jacket

    or

or

or

Synthetic Jacket

O.R. Refuge Hooded

O.R. Refuge Hooded

Personal Gear

Day Pack 25-40L

Mammut Pro X 35L

Mammut Pro X 35L

Water Bottles

2 1L Wide Mouth or Hydration system

Lunch and Snacks

 

 

Sunglasses

Adequate for Snow Travel

Goggles w/ Spare Lens

Or 2nd pair of goggles

Low Light and Sunny Lens

Sunscreen

SPF 25+

Lip Balm

SPF 15+

Buff

O.R. Echo Ubertube

O.R. Echo Ubertube

   or

or

Balaclava

O.R. Option Balaclava

O.R. Option Balaclava

Headlamp

 

 

Ski or Snowboard Gear

Skis or Splitboard

Weston Backcountry Splits and Skis

Ski Boots

 

Ski Poles

Black Diamond 3 Piece Poles (140cm)

Climbing Skins

Touring Skins

Avalanche Safety Gear

Transceiver/ Beacon

Black Diamond Powder BT

Shovel

Transfer 3

Probe

Quickdraw 280cm

Ski pole probes are not acceptable

Optional Items

We highly recommend these but do not require them to participate.

Airbag Packs

 

Snow Saw

Primomo Snow Saws

Basic Snow study Kit

BCA Snow Study Kit

Notebook and writing utensil

Rite in the Rain 374 and Pencil

Winter Snow Boots- Parking Lot

Sorel Style Boots

Thermos

Vacuum Style for Hot Tea or Cocoa

Compass

Adjustable Declination

Altimeter

Suunto Watch

Map Case or Goggle Protection

Zip Loc

Maps

Caltopo or GAIA

 

Cancellation Policy

It is your responsibility to be familiar with our Payment, Cancellation, and Rescheduling Policies. When you book a trip with Guided Exposure, you are agreeing to our policies outlined here:

guidedexposure.com/pages/cancellation-policy