Rec 2 Avalanche Course

Avoiding Avalanches in Remote Alaska

This three-day (24-hour) course is Part II of your avalanche education. It is designed for the advanced rider with backcountry experience who wants to explore remote regions without a professional avalanche forecast. After reviewing the Rec 1 and Avalanche Rescue courses, we will build upon that foundation. You will improve your ability to choose terrain to match the conditions, hone your snowpack and decision-making skills, and gain advanced techniques for managing complex terrain. A course-long theme is preparing for the 99% of Alaska that has no professional avalanche forecast, where you are the recreational avalanche forecaster. Whether flying into a remote area to set up a base camp, or skiing from the road into a non-forecasted area, we give you the skills for trip planning, avalanche forecasting, and making low-risk decisions when uncertainty is high. The course is light on snow science and heavy on techniques to make good decisions to ride and travel through avalanche terrain in remote Alaska.

This course is taught by AMGA-certified Ski Guides Joe, Nick, and Elliot who work and recreate in avalanche terrain. Students on the AGC Rec 2 are competent backcountry riders who want to improve their knowledge for adventures and exploring in Alaska. It tends to be a fun and motivated group with fascinating discussion.

Pre-Requisites

• Advanced downhill ability. You must be able to ski or splitboard black diamond resort runs without falling. Being in control on skis is fundamental to reducing risk, group compatibility, group learning, and your learning.

• Rec 1 and Rescue courses. At least a year of experience since your Rec 1 and Rescue courses including at least 15 backcountry days practicing those Rec 1 and Rescue skills. You should arrive knowing basic avalanche companion rescue skills and have recent practice. On this course we spend about three hours refining those rescue skills, introducing recent updates, and adding advanced rescue skills. Rec 1 and Rescue courses are required by the American Avalanche Association (A3) before taking the Rec 2. A3 sets the standards for all US avalanche educators.

• Proficiency with your field gear. You must be dialed with your backcountry gear including your bindings and skins. This is not a backcountry ski course. Sorry, no snowshoes on this course.

• Fitness for four consecutive days in the mountains, skinning up about 500-3,000 vertical feet each day.

• Be prepared to remain outside all day in cold and foul weather.

• Age 16 or older and able to drive.

Date

2024-25 dates to be decided

Itinerary

Note: If the weather forecast predicts poor learning conditions at the planned venue we may shift to Turnagain Pass, Summit Lake, Hatcher Pass, Western Chugach, or the Chugach Front Range.

Day 1: 8am - 4:30pm. Rescue and Rec 1 review

• 8am - 9am trip plan at Kaladi Brothers Coffee on Brayton in Anchorage.

  • Introductions

  • Avalanche types review

  • Trip planning

• 10am - 4pm field session at Glen Alps

  • Trailhead checks review

  • Rescue refinements, advanced rescue techniques, and rescue updates

  • Snow observations including instability tests

  • Weather observations

• 4pm - 4:30pm parking lot debrief

Day 2: 8am - 4:30pm. Travel skills day

• 8am - 9:30am trip plan at Vagabond Blues in Palmer

  • Group trip planning

  • Applying the forecast for route planning

• 10am - 4pm field session at Hatcher Pass

  • Terrain analysis

  • Applying the trip plan to the field

  • Decision making techniques

  • Managing the team on the ascent

  • Managing the team on the descent

  • Applying margins for safety

• 4pm - 4:30pm parking lot debrief

Day 3: 8am - 4:30pm. Tour day

• 8am - 9:00am trip plan at Spoonline Bistro in Girdwood

  • Avalanche forecasting for remote Alaska

  • Student led trip planning

• 10am - 4pm tour at Turnagain Pass while putting it all together

• 4pm - 4:30pm parking lot debrief and course wrap up

Cost

$550 per person

Includes

• Three days (24 hours) of instruction with AMGA-certified guides Joe, Nick and Elliot.

• 5:1 max student to instructor ratio

• AGC field book.

• Rec 2 certificate of completion recognized by the American Avalanche Association.

Does Not Include

• Transportation to and from the trailhead.

• Lodging, food and drink.

• The Avalanche Factor by Joe Stock or Staying Alive in Avalanche Terrain by Bruce Tremper.

• Personal gear and avalanche rescue gear. See Avalanche Course Gear List.

• Reservation and trip insurance (recommended). See Reservation and Insurance Policy for details.

To Book

• Booking opens October 1.

• Go to avalanche booking.

• Contact us with any questions.

• Upon booking you will receive more course information and some preparation homework.

Photos of Course Topics in Action