Jim Frankenfield

Avalanche Safety Courses and Services

1338 Foothill Dr. #170; Salt Lake City, UT 84108
1-877-604-0166; jim@mountain-guiding.com

Course Descriptions

[Overview] [Materials] [Basic] [Advanced] [Other] [Locations]

Overview

The course cost includes two nights shared accommodation, three for a full advanced class. These classes are very intensive and include evening sessions. I have found it best, as well as convenient for students, if everyone stays together for the duration of the course. This also helps students work together as a group, which is important if group dynamics/management and human factors are to be covered effectively.

For the basic class the cost also includes a short set of preliminary notes and the full AlpenPro course handbook which is distributed during the class. For the advanced class it includes the advanced AlpenPro course handbook, a "Backcountry Skiers Field Book" for recording field data, standard references on data collection and recording, and often some Xeroxed supplementary material.

Both levels are designed to be consistent with the current curriculum guidelines of the American Avalanche Association, which assume three day courses. The Basic class follows "Level I" guidelines and the Advanced class follows "Level II" guidelines. Both courses are a full weekend or few days. Arrive well rested and don't bring the office with you!

Materials

My standard Basic and Advanced recreational courses use the AlpenPro materials. Level 1 is well established and fully compatible with the American Avalanche Association guidelines, which are pretty specific at this level. The Level 2 curriculum is still subject to change as the prevailing thinking on what should be covered evolves. The AAA guidelines at this level are still rather vague. AIARE has developed a clear curriculum which clearly is designed by guides for students interested in that as a career option. As such it is very heavy on data observation and recording. My own philosophy is that recreational students do not need such an emphasis and are better served by material of more immediate use to them when they are on their own in the backcountry.

There is a student handbook for each class. Every student receives a copy of this as part of the course, at no additional charge. The student handbook is constantly updated, and some items included in it are unique to the specific location of the course, other items are unique to AlpenPro. It is not a "finished product" which is sold to other instructors for a profit, only to be infrequently updated and quoted blindly. There is an accompanying Instructor handbook as well, which is used in all AlpenPro courses. Advanced class students also receive supplemental material such as copies of data observation and recording standards.)

Students in advanced classes often receive some amount of xeroxed material which is very technical in nature. This is supplemental material for future reference and, for the most part, beyond the actual instructional level of the course. These materials are reviewed and brought up to date each season so that they reflect the most current topics of interest and applied research which are fundamental to the field of avalanche science.

Basic Avalanche Classes (Level I)

This course covers how to travel safely; self-rescue including the use of transceivers; basic weather, terrain and snowpack considerations; human factors such as communication and risk perception; hazard recognition through observations; and sound decision making and group management processes. Students spend the weekend learning and working together as a team on various exercises, both indoors and in the field.

All participants will receive a letter or certificate of completion unless they leave prior to the end of the course. There is no test or formal assessment. A certificate can be provided at any time after course completion with no expiration, although the certificate does show the dates the course was taken. Certificates can be provided to the student or directly to an emplyer or other organization as requested.

[More Details] - "Standard" Version
[Additional Details] - Climbers version

Advanced Avalanche Classes - (Level II)

This course covers more advanced snowpack and weather factors with an emphasis on stability tests to be applied in the field, a closer look at snow crystal metamorphism, an overview of basic mountain meteorology, group management, and an overview of data recording, presentation and interpretation.

The Advanced course is oriented towards those who have had a basic avalanche course and are interested in strengthening their knowledge and skills. It may also be of interest to those interested in hazard forecasting and guiding, although it is not intended to teach professional forecasting. Review of basics will be minimal - some review by the student prior to the class is recommended. An optional but free evening review session is usually offered the night before the regular course begins. There is an optional lesson on data collection, analysis, management, and presentation.

All participants receive a letter or certificate of completion unless they leave prior to the end of the course. There is no test or formal assessment. A certificate can be provided at any time after course completion with no expiration, although the certificate does show the dates the course was taken. Certificates can be provided to the student or directly to an emplyer or other organization as requested.

[More Details] - Advanced Course

Other Classes

Other classes are often offered for particular groups. These can be tailored to the needs and interests of the group, and can be held anywhere. They range from very basic to scientific/research level.

Locations

All courses not on the AlpenPro schedule are by private arrangement. Any group of at least four may arrange a class at the times and locations of their choice. I try to keep a list of people interested in joining a class which is arranged but not full as well as a list of potential classes with openings. Courses have been privately arranged at locations throughout the western US in the past.

[Arranging a class]