Avalanche Course in Mammoth Lakes, AIARE Level 2
The AIARE Level 2 avalanche course in the Mammoth Lakes in California expands on the foundational skills learned in the Level 1 and Companion Rescue courses. This three-day field-based program teaches participants how to make better decisions in complex terrain, lead small groups, develop travel plans with limited online resources, and understand the relationship between weather, snowpack conditions, observations, and discussions.
Group
Sierra Nevada (California)
3 Days
Feb
High
Highlights
* Deepen your understanding of avalanche safety
* Focus on advanced decision-making, small group leadership, travel planning, and snowpack analysis
* Three days of hands-on instruction in the field
Description
Build on the skills you learned in your Level 1 and Companion Rescue courses on the AIARE Level 2 avalanche course. Develop advanced decision-making in complex terrain, lead small groups, create travel plans with limited online resources, and understand how weather and snowpack conditions relate to observations and discussions.
Embark on this Level 2 course for three days in the field, with hands-on instruction, and gives our instructors a better platform to answer questions and deliver the course curriculum.
Day 1: Avalanche equipment review, current snowpack conditions, using weather, snow, and avalanche observations to build trip plans, and terrain analysis.
Day 2: Beacon and equipment trailhead check, implementing trip plans in the field using a risk management framework, building leadership skills within a small team, snow column and pit tests, and trip planning and preparation review for the following day.
Day 3: Fine-tuning trip planning and risk management strategies, avalanche hazard analysis in the field, practicing using informal and formal observations in the absence of a local avalanche forecast, decision making in avalanche terrain, route finding, travel decisions and techniques, and course debrief.
All AIARE Level 2 students must complete the online learning course before their first day in the field. Please set aside a few hours to complete this training before your first day.
Also please note that to register for the AIARE Level 2 course, you must have taken an AIARE Level 1 and Companion Rescue course. It is highly recommended that you have at least one year of experience practicing your Level 1 and Companion Rescue skills before taking a Level 2 course.
Price includes
- Guiding fee
- Avalanche equipment
Price details
What's included:
-Professionally trained AIARE leader
-Avalanche beacon, shovel, and probe
-AIARE waterproof field book
-AIARE digital student manual
-Online discount codes at our partners Weston Backcountry, Volcom, and Ridge Merino
-20% off snow travel equipment rentals at Mammoth Mountaineering
Itinerary
Day 1: AIARE Level 2 Course Field Day 1
Our AIARE Level 2 course begins in the field in Mammoth Lakes. On the first day, we will cover the following topics:
Avalanche equipment review
Current snowpack conditions in the local area
Using weather, snow, and avalanche observations to build trip plans before entering the field
Terrain analysis
Day 2: AIARE Level 2 Course Field Day 2
Our second day in the field in Mammoth Lakes will cover the following topics:
Beacon and equipment trailhead check
Implementing trip plans in the field using a risk management framework
Building leadership skills within a small team
Snow column and pit tests
Reviewing trip planning and preparation for the following day
Day 3: AIARE Level 2 Course Field Day 3
Our third and final day in the field in Mammoth Lakes will cover the following topics, with a goal of concluding the course by 3:00 PM:
Fine-tuning trip planning and risk management strategies
Analyzing avalanche hazards in the field
Practicing using informal and formal observations in the absence of a local avalanche forecast
Making decisions in avalanche terrain
Route finding, travel decisions, and techniques
Course debrief
About the guide
Ryan
4.60
(9)
Single Pitch Instructor
I am the founder of Golden State Guiding and an AMGA Apprentice Alpine and Splitboard Guide, a certified Single Pitch Instructor, and certified Wilderness First Responder and also hold an AIARE Pro 1 certificate.
At Golden State Guiding we hold a valid permit to guide you legally in California's Eastern Sierra mountains including Mammoth Lakes, Sequoia/ Kings National Park, Mount Shasta in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest, Joshua Tree National Park, Mission Trails Regional Park in San Diego, and Red Rock Canyon just outside of Las Vegas Nevada. All Golden State Guiding guides are professionally trained by the AMGA (American Mountain Guides Association) and are some of the best Guides in the industry. Our professional Guides know exactly where to take you for your day out of rock, ice, or alpine climbing, backcountry skiing or splitboarding, and mountaineering in California or Nevada.
These are some of the spots where we can take you:
- Joshua Tree National Park
- San Diego (Mission Gorge or Mount Woodson)
- Eastern Sierra (Lone Pine Peak, Mt Emerson, Mount Sill and the entire Palisade Range, Bear Creek Spire, Temple Crag, Crystal Crag, Cardinal Pinnacle, Iris Slab, Mammoth Lakes Basin, Clark Canyon)
- Mount Shasta in Shasta-Trinity National Forest in the Southern Cascades
- Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area
Languages
English
What people are saying about Ryan
Heejae(Lydia)
5.00
Patrick took me out to the Indian Cove! Loved the short approach and couldn’t asked for better weather. Patrick recommended great pitches where I could try new stuff like chimneying. Would definitely book again if I go back to JTree!
Angela
5.00
We had an excellent time with Chad on our multi -pitch day in Joshua Tree. My partner and I have some experience climbing sport routes, but had no experience with trad climbing or multi-pitch routes. Chad is a great instructor and led our routes with ease. We felt confident in his abilities to keep us safe and have fun. Will definitely book again with him.
mahir
5.00
Super easy to work with. Great communication. Great guide. Will definitely use again.
Tara
5.00
We booked through Ryan, and Daniel was our guide - absolutely brilliant, very down to earth and knowledgeable. The climbs themselves were awesome, with insane views. My partner is an experienced indoor climber, and I have close to no experience, especially outdoors, but still felt safe and in good hands. We did a half day, which was 5hrs, and got 4 climbs in, then stayed after the tour to walk around a bit more and have some snacks with a view (make sure you take food/water as there aren’t any shops inside the park). Definitely recommend.
Abigail
5.00
Our guide, Spencer, was fantastic! He tailored everything to our exact needs, and we now feel equipped to climb outdoors without a guide.
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