Avalanche Terrain Avoidance

This seminar requires no prerequisites. This registration is for in-person classroom only;  the snowshoe field day is a separate trip for which the Director will register you. 

This course is required for CMC leaders who wish to lead trips in snow covered, non-avalanche terrain. 

The field day for each session is directly after the morning lecture. Students should bring the regular 10 Essentials and be prepared for winter conditions in the field.

The Field Session is a required part of the ATA seminar.

In order to AVOID avalanche terrain, you must be capable of RECOGNIZING IT.

This is the WHY - why you take ATA.

Our Learning Objectives are:

• 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 how to plan a route to avoid avalanche terrain
• You will learn how to use slope meters to assess slope angles and determine routes that  avoid avalanche terrain
• A separate Zoom session prior to the ATA dates will be held for those who need to brush up on map reading skills or have never used a map to navigate.