Avalanche – Level 2

The course is expected to:

1. Provide a biological and cognitive framework for decision making, team building and partner selection while developing mindset and intention for interaction with the backcountry environment.
2. Provide the basis for a philosophical understanding of risk management and acceptance of risk.
3. Gather and prioritize information relevant for describing how seasonal weather has affected the snowpack process and current snowpack structure.
4. Create an avalanche hazard assessment without a local bulletin.
5. Describe, create and implement a framework for planning, decision making and risk management in consideration of leading a group in avalanche terrain.
6. Practice travel and terrain mitigation techniques under supervision with feedback in a variety of avalanche terrain situations.

The Level 2 builds from the introductory avalanche hazard management model introduced in the Level 1 and adds to it the evaluation of factors critical to mindset, risk management, stability evaluation, group management and terrain selection.

A final debrief includes a lesson learned summary and opportunities to gain additional education and mentorship. Students are encouraged and counseled on how to apply the skills learned and told that no course can fully guarantee safety, either during or after course completion. A link is made to a future future professional level trainings.