Field trip: Avalanche Terrain Avoidance
Avalanche Terrain Avoidance Lecture & Field Day – Connects Workspace
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 but the ability to read a topographical map is extremely helpful in the class route finding exercises. Participating in the field exercises is required to earn the ATA badge.
Contacts
- Sat, Jan 4, 2025
- Denver
- Avalanche Education
- Adults
- Beginner
- For Beginners (Getting Started Series)
- Pace: 1-2
- FULL (24 capacity)
- FULL (6 capacity)
- Cancellation & Refund Policy
Meeting for in person lecture at Connects Workspace at 7: 30 am, and field component to be at Jones Pass Road. Estimated departure from Connects Workspace to the field is 11:30 am; Estimated arrival at Jones Pass Road parking area is 1:00 pm depending on ski traffic. Estimated return to Connects Workspace is between 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm depending on ski traffic.
Connects Workspace Address:
18475 W. Colfax Ave , Golden
This space is in the strip shopping center north of Wooly Mammoth PNR. Go past the Maverik gas station (formerly Kum & Go) to the Aurum Building. There will be a CMC Banner outside Connects Workspace. You may park in the front or back of the building but you will need to enter through the back of the building where an instructor will allow you to enter Connects Workspace. Ignore the parking hourly limits if you park in front of the building as they are applicable weekdays.
If parking in front or behind the building is filled, try the Wooly Mammoth lot and walk over to Connects Workspace.
Jones Pass Road is off Highway 40 - Berthoud Pass.
This single day courses consists of 2 parts:
- Morning session will be a classroom lecture. Be ready for a 3 to 4-hour lecture where you will learn and review different avalanche terrain risks.
- Next is a 3 to 4 hour session in the field. The field portion of the course is immediately after the morning lecture at Jones Pass Road. 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
Required Equipment
Ten Essentials
Layering for winter weather at elevation
You may leave your pack and snowshoes/skis in your car unless you need to change into your winter gear which you may do in the bathrooms at Connects Workspace. We will depart directly from class to the field.
Compass which is one of 10 Essentials
LUNCH - THERE IS NO FORMAL LUNCH PERIOD. YOU WILL NEED TO EAT IN THE CLASSROOM PRIOR TO DEPARTURE OR IN THE CAR IN WHICH YOU WILL BE CARPOOLING. PLEASE BE COURTEOUS TO YOUR DRIVER AND CARPOOL MATES BY NOT SELECTING A HIGHLY AROMATIC LUNCH IF EATING IN THE CAR - READ NO SARDINES/TUNA/MACKREL, ETC. SUGGESTED