OEAC 2400 Avalanche Level 2
The Avalanche Level 2 course provides experienced winter recreationists the opportunity to advance their avalanche knowledge and decision making skills. The Level 2 builds from the introductory avalanche hazard management model introduced in the Level 1 course and adds the evaluation of factors critical to snow stability analysis. The student will spend time in a classroom and outdoors in the snow. This course is taught through an external provider who meets the American Avalanche Association's Course Provider Guidelines for Avalanche Level 2 Certification. The successful student will receive a certificate of completion. Prerequisites: OEAC 1400 Avalanche Level 1. (1 lect., 2 lab)
Major Topics
- Weather and snowpack
- Snow morphology and persistent weak layers
- Avalanche release and triggering
- Communication, teamwork, and decision-making for groups
- Field observations and snowpack evaluation
- Applied information gathering and planning
- Terrain selection and route finding
Outcomes
In order to successfully complete this course, the student will:
1. Apply seasonal weather history and relevant snowpack processes to current snowpack structure and layering.
2. Summarize how the snowpack develops and metamorphoses over time.
3. Describe standard observation guidelines and recording formats for factors that influence or indicate snow stability.
4. Analyze snow stability using the forecasting framework.
5. Prioritize relevancy of observations and snowpack tests based on the avalanche hazard rating and associated problems.
6. Rank the factors that contribute to spatial variability across terrain.