REC PRE-COURSE RESOURCES
REC LEVEL 1 - PRE-COURSE RESOURCES
In Order to Prepare for your Recreational Level One Avalanche Course, we ask that students spend ~50 minutes reviewing the following resources.
Set Yourself Up for Success by Watching the Following Videos:
An Introduction to the North American Avalanche Danger Scale
Forecast Details tutorials on CAIC website
How to Use CalTopo / CalTopo for Beginners
Familiarize Yourself with the Colorado Avalanche Information Center's Website:
https://avalanche.state.co.us/forecasts
For courses in Taos, familiarize yourself with the Taos Avalanche Center’s Website:
https://taosavalanchecenter.org/
Check it out..This will be the CalTopo File that your course will be using:
REC LEVEL 2 - PRE-COURSE RESOURCES
In Order to Prepare for your Recreational Level Two Avalanche Course, we ask that students spend time reviewing resources and completing a learning contract.
Complete your Individual Student Learning Contract referencing the A3's Level Two Learning Outcomes and Proficiency Standards.
Read these 3 articles in preparation for your course
Review the SAS Rescue Card
Please review the Colorado Avalanche Information Center website and familiarize yourself with the resources and local forecast.
PRO TIPS
Check the weather leading up to your course start, it takes time and multiple mountain passes getting to Silverton so plan accordingly!
Expect to group up the first morning in the classroom for a short welcome, gear check session and curriculum review before heading outside.
It's cold, windy, rugged and dry up there at 9,318 ft . . . and that's just town! You'll be heading out into the backcountry above 12k ft. Your body will be working hard, so develop a plan for proper hydration, nutrition, layering, stretching and sleep.
Prepare and pack food and hot drinks for the day, you will not have the chance to buy meals or snacks during the day. Remember lunch starts immediately after breakfast and ends right before dinner!
Review our Student Gear List below and arrive with your backcountry kit, rescue gear and ski/splitboard and skins dialed in so that we do not spend class time finagling with gear. This includes fresh batteries in your avalanche transceiver and your headlamp. We pack for our fears. What are you afraid of? We'll talk more on the course about gear selection and backcountry equipment; placing a strong focus on equipment choices that are light, efficient and utilitarian.
Wow, that's a lot to consider and review! Take your time working through the pre-course materials. If you feel overwhelmed or have questions, reach out to us.