Avalanche Education in the San Juan Mountains

Silverton and Red Mountain Pass based AIARE (American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education) Avalanche Education Courses

The San Juan Mountains are the most avalanche prone snowpack in the lower 48! Come expand your knowledge of the avalanche phenomenon in this incredible "classroom" from incredible instructors. From half day introductory clinics to multi-day intensive course, we do it all. At KMG we don't fill you with fluff, just facts. More local organizations have chosen to work with KMG instructors than any other local avalanche educator. These have included San Juan College, Fort Lewis College, the Silverton Avalanche School, La Plata County Search and Rescue, and Silverton Mountain Ski Area to name a few. Find out why these organizations chose to work with KMG!

All avalanche courses are not created equal!  KMG's owner and lead instructor has taught avalanche courses throughout Colorado, Utah, and Washington for numerous organizations. Please get in touch to learn more about the organizations and outfitters that have chosen to work with Kling and why!

 

Introduction to Avalanche Safety

This is a brand new course targeting riders that frequent avalanche terrain via lift access, from ski areas and easily accessible backcountry trail heads and highway passes. 

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Level 1 Refresher Course

Did you take a Level 1 avalanche course, but need a refresher?  Do you want to expand and continue you avalanche training without taking a Level 2 course? If you answered yes, than this course is for you.

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AIARE Level 1 Course Overview:

Decision Making in Avalanche Terrain

Students can expect to develop a good grounding in how to prepare for and carry out a trip, to understand basic decision making while in the field, and to learn rescue techniques required to find and dig up a buried person (if an avalanche occurs and someone in the party is caught).

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AIARE Level 2 Course Overview:

Analyzing Snow Stability and Avalanche Terrain

The Level 2 course is a 40-hour / four day program that provides back country leaders the opportunity to advance their avalanche knowledge and decision making skills. This course also includes the introductory and prerequisite components for the professional progression: the AIARE Level 3 Certificate. The Level 2 builds from the introductory avalanche hazard management model introduced in the level one and adds to it the evaluation of factors critical to stability evaluation.

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AIARE Level 3 Course Overview:

Advanced Avalanche Training for Professionals and Recreational Leaders

The Level 3 course is an advanced certification course for experienced and professional avalanche practitioners, professional guides, patrollers and advanced recreational backcountry travelers. The course is 7 days long and completes the avalanche course stream of the Level 2 and 3. (10 days together).

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Required Equipment for Level 1 and Level 2 Courses:

Personal Equipment

  • Clothing for activities and standing in cold/snowy weather (no cotton)
  • Long underwear
  • Insulating layers
  • Outer layer (wind/waterproof)
  • Warm gloves, mitts, headband, hat
  • Goggles and sunglasses
  • Small personal first aid kit (sunscreen/lip-balm, moleskin, band-aids, medication, etc.)
  • Water Bottle
  • Pack

Skiing Equipment

  • Boots (touring boots recommended)
  • Skis with touring bindings and skins (please adjust bindings to boots and skins to skis before the course)
    *Randonee or free-heel gear is okay.
  • Poles

Snowboarding Equipment

  • Split Board with touring bindings and skins (please adjust bindings to boots and skins to board before the course)
    *For students arriving at the course with snowboarding equipment, split boards are recommended, as compared to traveling with snowshoes.
  • Boots
  • Collapsible poles OR Snowboard (with means of attachment to pack—please have a system worked out before you come on the course)

Snowshoes

  • Snowshoes (adjusted to boots, please test thoroughly before the course.
    *Snowshoes are not recommended for courses where deep new snow conditions or steep terrain will likely be experienced.

Rescue Equipment

  • Avalanche probe
  • Collapsible shovel
  • Avalanche transceiver (457 kHz frequency only. Digital or analogue)
  • Cell phone or two-way radio (OPTIONAL)

Other Equipment

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Courses Offered

Level 1 Refresher Course

AIARE Level 1

AIARE Level 2

AIARE Level 3

2011/ 2012 Schedule

Dates
From first snow through next summer!

Duration
single day to four days

Locaiton
Red Mountain Pass CO,              South Mineral Creek CO,            Silverton, CO                             Cement Creek CO                      San Juan Mountains, CO!  

Cost
varries

Client to Guide Ratio
6:1 max

Difficulty
varries
Weather Forecast | Weather Maps | Weather Radar

Required Equipment

Required Equipment and Gear

Avalanche Organizations

AIARE

 

 

Why AIARE? Prior to AIARE, there was no nationally recognized curriculum for avalanche education in the USA.  There are many avalanche courses and programs available but in large part, course providers operate according to their own personal beliefs and ideas. There are few means for the public to assess the quality of an avalanche course or instructor. 

AIARE was formed to address this situation. We have developed and continue to develop standardized curriculum for a complete program of avalanche courses that meets the needs of students at all levels, from recreational to professional and from novice to advanced. Make sure that your instructor is trained to the AIARE standard.

Durango Rafting CompanyAmerican Avalanche Association

The American Avalanche Association (AAA) is comprised of a collective group of dedicated professionals engaged in the study, forecasting, control and mitigation of snow avalanches. Association membership includes qualified researchers, professional avalanche forecasters, educators, guides, snow safety officers, snow rangers and qualified ski patrollers, technicians and specialists. Is your instructor a Professional Member?

 

Hear what folks think of our avalanche course!

"The atmosphere was great, quiet & conveniently in the mountains. The service was quality, excellent teaching skills & determination. Products extremely practical & necessary in the field. Prices were incredible through the college!"

-San Juan College Level 2 Student

 

"Josh Kling & John were very knowledgeable throughout the entire course. They answered all questions with expertise and even taught advanced level 2 subjects!"

-AIARE Level 1 Avalanche Student

 

"Josh Kling just gave a killer level 2 avy course. He was clear, friendly and passionate. Thanks!"

-AIARE Level 2 Avalanche Student

 

"Awesome course- I learned an incredible amount in 3 days. Josh Kling is an awesome instructor! 5 Stars!"

-AIARE Level 1 Avalanche Student

 

"Great information and field experience. Everyone going into the backcountry during winter should take this class!"

-AIARE Level 1 Avalanche Student

 

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*KMG operates under special use permits in the; San Juan National Forest, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park , Moab BLM, Indian Creek BLM, Manti-La Sal National Forest, Cedar Mesa Grand Gulch BLM, Mt. Rainier National Park, areas.  Kling Mountain Guides LLC provides services and employment regardless of ethnic or cultural heritage, religious beliefs, sexual orientation or physical handicap.