...an AMGA accredited school with AMGA certified Top Rope Site Managers, Rock Instructors, Rock Guides, and Alpine Guides, and AMGA trained Ski Mountaineering Guides.
Maine's only AMGA accredited Climbing School!
AVALANCHE EDUCATION COURSES
American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education
Yes, avalanches happen in New England and each year a number of backcountry enthusiasts are injured or killed in New England from avalanches. They are the leading cause of winter mountaineering accidents on Katahdin. Acadia Mountain Guides Climbing School offers the well respected AIARE (American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education) courses in New England.
Our avalanche courses are cutting edge and include the latest information and developing standards delivered to you by specially trained AIARE instructors who are AMGA certified ski or alpine guides. AIARE instructors have experience in a variety of climates and snow conditions. They are simply among the best in the field.
AIARE courses combine science and practicality to set the current standard for avalanche courses in the United States.
AIARE courses are recognized by the American Mountain Guides Association - many avalanche courses are not - and are consistent with the international standards and recording methods. AIARE instructors participate in annual training and network continuously with each other to learn about the latest information in avalanche science. Courses flow sequentially ifrom Level 1 to Level 3 regardless of where you take your class. AIARE courses teach you a way of thinking about snow travel rather than a protocol based approach to learning.
Instructor Information: People who deliver AIARE courses are required to meet specific requirements before qualifying for instructor status. Most Acadia Mountain Guides avalanche courses are instructed by school owner Jon Tierney. Jon is internationally recognized IFMGA guide with over twenty five years of guiding and outdoor leadership experience.
"Jon is a very experienced professional guide and one of best outdoor educators in the AMGA. His client care and technical skills are excellent." - Bela Vadasz (Ski Mountaineering discipline coordinator) and Rob Hess (AMGA Technical Director).
AIARE Level 1 Avalanche Course - Avalanche Awareness and Rescue
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This introductory course is a must for all who travel into the mountains in winter and will help you to understand safe winter travel. It is also a great tune up for winter travelers who have some experience or prior training. Snowboarders, skiers, snowmobilers, snowshoers, and mountaineers will learn the basics of avalanche hazard formation through the relationships of terrain, snowpack, weather and people. Participants will learn about interpreting forecasts, trip planning considerations, route selection, travel techniques, educated decision making, and search and rescue skills including use of transceivers and probes. The course combines classroom skills with field time to help you to answer these questions: Where is the danger? When is it dangerous? Should we go on? What do I do if caught? (approximately 20 hours).
Prerequisites: Students must have the ability to travel in avalanche terrain.
Locations: Our Level I courses are usually taught on Mount Washington, Sugarloaf or Smuggler's Notch. We are also available to deliver customized courses for organizations or individuals around New England and Eastern Canada.
AIARE Level II Avalanche Course - Snow Observation and Stability Analysis:
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The next step in self-sufficiency in the mountains. The Level 2 Course develops a more complete understanding of snowpack development and metamorphism. It provides essential knowledge of snow observation that is fundamental to the development of a sound decision-making process and stability analysis. The course beginss with a short review of level one material and moves on to address snowpack formation, changes in the snowpack over time, development and effects of temperature gradients, hoar formation and human triggering and release factors. The course emphasizes the use of internationally standardized observation and recording methods. Learn proper techniques for conducting and interpreting snowpit observations, Rutschblock, compression and shear tests. This program is appropriate for people who have completed a basic avalanche course and have some personal experience with snowpacks. (32 hours).
Prerequisites: Students must have the ability to travel in avalanche terrain. An AIARE Level 1 Course (strongly recommended) or equivalent training/experience is required. A winter of practical experience after the Level 1 course is beneficial before taking the Level 2 course but not required.
Locations: Our Level II courses are usually taught on Mount Washington or on Katahdin. We are also available to deliver customized courses for organizations or individuals around New England and Eastern Canada.
AIARE Level III Avalanche Course - Avalanche Forecasting and Decision Making
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Rarely offered in the East! A superb opportunity to learn about avalanches from one of North America's leading avalanche experts. An advanced level course for backcountry skiers, professional guides and ski patrollers. The course focuses on snow stability, avalanche hazard analysis and forecasting skills. This course assumes that you have completed a Level II course or equivalent and have experience in avalanche assessment. This course covers the subtleties of forecasting avalanche hazards. Expect to upgrade your observation techniques, gain a process for stability analysis, hazard analysis and forecasting, and deepen your knowledge of avalanche information. This course will challenge you to have an opinion, promote thinking, question accepted protocols, and develop intuitive decision-making and judgment. (48 hours +/-)
