Prerequisites
AIARE Level 1 and Level II courses (strongly recommended) or equivalent training/experience are required. One or two winters of practical experience after the Level 2 course is recommended before taking the Level III course. This is a course and exam that requires students to travel safely and efficiently in avalanche terrain. Field days will include travel on rugged terrain up to and exceeding 30 degrees, trail breaking, and 8 hours of travel carrying a day pack with rescue equipment and clothing. See Notes for additional prerequisites.
Inclusions
Price includes instruction, loan of avalanche beacons, shovels, and probes, and a syllabus. Local accommodation is not included.
The Level III course is an advanced certification course that has become the industry standard for experienced and professional avalanche practitioners and professional guides. The course is 5 days long and completes the avalanche course stream of the Level II and III. (9 days together). There is a final examination and those who receive a passing grade and successfully complete the course receive a certificate provided by AIARE.
The Level III course provides course participants with an industry based framework to make decisions in avalanche terrain and to manage avalanche hazards common to avalanche control operations and winter guiding scenarios. Participants are required to form opinions, to take on leadership roles, and to utilized team members skills to assist in the process of forecasting avalanche hazard and snow stability and making appropriate terrain choices. Course goals also include evaluating each participant to the AIARE Level 3 standard.
The Level III course builds on the concepts introduced in the prerequisite Level II. These include standardizing snow and weather observations and techniques to the Snow, Weather, and Avalanche Guidelines of the American Avalanche Association (2004).
The Level 3 takes the “trained observer and technician” and begins the process of making the information relevant to the complexities, variability, and influences of terrain.
Participants on a Level III Course can expect four days of classroom and field instruction totaling approximately 58 hours in the following subjects:
• Pre course study and quiz
• Avalanche terrain.
• Craftsmanship and professional standards
• Review of study plot weather and snow profile technique
• Review of snow crystals, sub-classifications
• Operational stability and hazard forecasting
• Avalanche safety equipment: burial prevention, reducing burial time, increasing survival time
• Companion rescue:
• Terrain travel and group management
• Comparing field tests to study plot information
• Case Study and operational decision-making
Itinerary
The days will be a mix of classroom and fieldwork with the fieldwork becoming predominant as the course progresses. There will be a discussion of preparing for the examination process and the exam process will be an ongoing process involving participating in classroom sessions and completing homework assignments.
Participants are eligible for certification after attaining the minimum passing grade of 70% in the marking categories:
• Avalanche hazard management skills 45%
• Technical skills and knowledge 55%. This involves in the field assessment, review of field notebooks and a final written exam.
Location
For the morning class room work we use the White Mountain Research Station just out of Bishop and for the exact location of the on snow portions of the course we wait and see where the most interesting snow conditions are to be found. We have a variety of options in the Bishop to Mammoth area and you should expect to drive 30-45 minutes day. We will facilitate car pools to the snow each day but you should make sure your vehicle is prepared for winter travel.
Notes
Lodging is not included, but we have an arrangement for dorm style lodging at White Mountain Research Station. Let us know if you want the dorm lodging option and we'll help you make the reservation.
Students must submit an application detailing they have met the following prerequisites:
1. AIARE Level 2 course
2. Experience applying the Level II skills and knowledge in a professional or personal program is required.
3. Personal resume showing:
• Twenty day-trips in avalanche terrain requiring decision-making and travel procedures
• Twenty day trips with documented field weather and snowpack observations (to AAA SWAG or OGRES Observation Guidelines standards)
• Ten recent snow profiles (documented in field book to same standards)
4. Must be able to find (by probe) two transceivers buried in a 30m by 30m area in six minutes. (One transceiver is buried 30cm below the surface; the second is buried 40-60 cm below the surface 3 to 4m apart.).
5. Led a rescue team in a mock avalanche rescue scenario OR have training and experience in a professional search and rescue group (e.g. ski patrol, etc.).
6. Prior to the start of the Level 3 course, it is required that the student complete the Pre- Course Quiz which is handed in to the course instructor at the start of the course.
