AIARE Level 3 Courses:
Advanced Avalanche Training for Profesionals and Recreational Leaders
This course is only available three times a winter in different locations across the nation. This course is directly through AIARE. Please visit the AIARE website for more information.
Download AIARE Level 3 Application
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 6 days long and completes the avalanche course stream of the Level 2 and 3. (10 days together). Individuals who receive a passing grade and successfully complete the course receive a certificate provided by the AIARE administration.
The Level 3 course provides course participants with an industry based framework to make decisions in avalanche terrain and to manage avalanche hazards common to avalanche control operations and winter guiding scenarios. Participants are required to form opinions, to take on leadership roles, and to utilized team members skills to assist in the process of forecasting avalanche hazard and snow stability and making appropriate terrain choices. Course goals also include evaluating each participant to the AIARE Level 3 standard.
This course builds on the concepts introduced in the prerequisite Level 2. These include standardizing snow and weather observations and techniques to the Snow, Weather, and Avalanche Guidelines of the American Avalanche Association (2004). The Level 3 takes the “trained observer and technician” and begins the process of making the information relevant to the complexities, variability, and influences of terrain.
Level 3 is a course and exam that requires students to travel safely and efficiently in avalanche terrain. Field days will include travel on rugged terrain up to and exceeding 30 degrees, trail breaking, and 8 hours of travel carrying a day pack with rescue equipment and clothing.
Student Prerequisites:
Level 3 is a course and exam that requires students to travel safely and efficiently in avalanche terrain. Field days will include travel on rugged terrain up to and exceeding 30 degrees, trail breaking, and 8 hours of travel carrying a day pack with rescue equipment and clothing. Students must submit an application to the course provider which details they have met the prerequisites:
- AIARE Level 2 course
- Experience applying the Level 2 skills and knowledge in a professional or personal program is required.
- Persoanl resume including:
- Twenty day-trips in avalanche terrain requiring decision making and travel procedures
- Twenty day trips with documented field weather and snowpack observaions (to AAA, SWAG, or ORGES Observation Guidlines standards)
- Ten recent snow profiles (documented in field book to same standards)
4. Rescue Trial
- Must be able to find (by probe) two transceivers buried in a 30m by 30 m area in six minutes.(One transceiver is buried 30cm below the surfice; the second is buried 40-60cm below the surfice 3 to 4m away). Lead a rescue team in a mock avalache rescue scenario OR have training and experience in a profesional search and rescue group.
5. Pre-Course Quiz
- Prior to the start of the Level 3 course, it is required that the student complete the Pre-Course Quiz which is handed in to the course leader at the start of the course.
*Kling Mountain Guides operates under special use permits in the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park , Moab BLM, Indian Creek BLM, Manti-La Sal National Forest, Cedar Mesa Grand Gulch BLM, and Dalla Mountain Park areas. Kling Mountain Guides operates under the Durango Mountain Resort operating plan in the San Juan National Forest. Kling Mountain Guides LLC provides services and employment regardless of ethnic or cultural heritage, religious beliefs, sexual orientation or physical handicap. Josh Kling operates as an employee of Mountain Trip, San Juan College, Fort Lewis College, and the Silverton Avalanche School.. Mountain Trip, San Juan College, Fort Lewis College, and the Silverton Avalanche School all operate under special use permits from the United States Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management in their respective operating districts.**
