Field trip: Avalanche Terrain Avoidance
ATA Field Day – Course Venue TBA
The Avalanche Terrain Avoidance course teaches you to recognize when and where avalanche danger may exist. More importantly, how to avoid it. Sources of information and methods for planning routes free from avalanche danger. This course requires no prerequisites. Participating in the field exercises is required to earn the ATA badge.
Contacts
Linda Lawson
Primary Leader
- Sat, Feb 15, 2025
- Denver
- Avalanche Education
- Adults
- For Beginners (Getting Started Series)
- Pace: 1-2
- 30 (30 capacity)
- 4 (5 capacity)
- Cancellation & Refund Policy
Meeting time and place TBA.
This single day courses consists of 2 parts:
- Please be sure to complete the online lecture portion of this course before you field day.
- The field day is 3 to 4 hour session in the field. The field portion of the course is immediately after the morning lecture. In the field, the students will observe terrain and make travel decisions based on the planned route, and travel adjustments in the field in avoiding exposure to avalanche terrain. We'll use slope meters to identify potential avalanche terrain to avoid as we travel through non-avalanche terrain. These techniques can be taught with or without snow conditions.
Our Learning Objectives & Outcomes
- 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 avalanche accidents
Badges
students will earn:
Avalanche Terrain Avoidance Course
Route/Place
Roster
Required Equipment
Required Equipment
Ten Essentials
Layering for winter weather at elevation
Bring your snowshoe equipment to class. We will depart directly from class to the field.
Trip Reports