I recently took an Instructor Training course to become an avalanche instructor.  Last weekend I shadowed a Level 1 course run by the American Alpine Institute in the backcountry near the Mt. Baker Ski Area.  The course is one in a three part series developed by American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education (AIARE); the Level 1 course is 24 hours long and includes one classroom day and two field days developing and utilizing skills in real avalanche terrain.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Look for more photos and information about avalanche education in the coming weeks.  Right now, we could really use some snow instead of all this rain!