RFW 257 Backcountry Risk Analysis and Mitigation II extends the study of natural hazard assessment and land management to winter backcountry environments. The course is delivered as a project-based analysis of a local provincial park or recreation area, in which students learn winter skills and identify and analyze avalanche terrain and site-specific snowpack characteristics for the risk of human and structural exposure to snow avalanches. Topics include avalanche forecasting and public safety, land use planning, hazard mitigation, techniques in snowpack assessment and monitoring, avalanche rescue, and hazard mapping. Successful students receive a certificate in avalanche safety recognized by Avalanche Canada.
This course is taught in wilderness terrain. Participants must be in good health and physical condition. Activities will be taught that require participation for up to eight hours per day for up to three days in duration. Participants must be able to hike, ski or snowshoe for four to eight hours at a time over rough, sometimes hazardous terrain in all weather conditions.
*Students are expected to make arrangements to attend all scheduled course activities.
Prerequisites: RFW 256 with a minimum grade of 60%
Accessibility Services Notice
Students who would like an academic accommodation and who have a documented disability should contact Accessibility Services, if they have not already done so.Course Details| Total number of weeks | 15 |
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| Total Credits | |
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| Total Hours | 75 |
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Typical hours per week breakdown| Lecture | 1 |
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| Lab (lab, field, computer) | 4 |
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Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, the learner will be able to:
- Use navigation techniques to plan and follow a route, and to stay found in a winter environment
- Collect field data according to the Canadian Avalanche Association guidelines
- Recognize hazards in winter backcountry environments
- Apply appropriate strategies to mitigate risk in the backcountry in the winter
- Communicate hazards and associated risk in the workplace
- Respond to an emergency situation in the winter backcountry
- Describe some of the factors that influence decision making
- Work professionally, safely and efficiently in a variety of terrain and weather conditions
Teaching and Learning Approach
This class is comprised of one 50 minute lecture per week and a 4 hour lab. The lectures consist of a
combination of formal lectures, class discussions, problem-based learning, case-study analysis and short videos.
Most labs are field-based in locations near Castlegar. Students will be guided through a self-assessment process
to evaluate their performance and learning.Learning Resources
Required:
The AST Handbook and the Avaluator 3. Both available in the bookstoreDetailed Course Content, Topics, and Sequence Covered
1. Lecture topics: Courses introduction, avalanche phenomena, and avalanche rescue. Lab topic: Avalanche rescue 1.
2. Lecture topic: Avalanche rescue. Lab topic: Avalanche rescue 2.
3. Lecture topic: Pre-trip planning. Lab topics: The daily process, avalanche terrain and winter travel.
4. Lecture topics: Avalanche terrain and winter travel. Lab topics: The daily process, avalanche terrain and winter travel.
5. Lecture topics: Mountain snowpack and verifying conditions. Lab topics: Techniques in snowpack and hazard assessment & terrain management 1.
6. Lecture topics: Midterm exam. Lab topics: Techniques in snowpack and hazard assessment & terrain management 1.
7. Reading break. No classes.
8. Lecture topic: Decision making in avalanche terrain. Lab topics: Techniques in snowpack and hazard assessment & terrain management 2.
9. Lecture topic: Overnight trip planning 1. Lab topics: Techniques in snowpack and hazard assessment & terrain management 2.
10. Lecture topic: Overnight trip planning 2. Lab topics: Snow shelter construction and transceiver search field exam.
11. RFW winter trip.
12. Lecture and lab topic: Avalanche mapping and public safety.
13. No lecture. No lab.
14. Lecture topic: Final exam review No lab.
15. Final examAssessment
| Title | Learning Outcomes | Value |
|---|
| Lecture Quizzes | All | 10% |
| Lab Assignments (self-assessed) | All | 40% |
| Midterm | Learning Outcome 1 though 7 | 20% |
| Final Exam | All | 30% |
| Total | 100% |
Grading Table
Standard Academic and Career Programs Grading Table
| Percentage |
Letter Grade |
GPA |
| 90-100 |
A+ |
4.33 |
| 85-89 |
A |
4.00 |
| 80-84 |
A- |
3.67 |
| 76-79 |
B+ |
3.33 |
| 72-75 |
B |
3.00 |
| 68-71 |
B- |
2.67 |
| 64-67 |
C+ |
2.33 |
| 60-63 |
C |
2.00 |
| 55-59 |
C- |
1.67 |
| 50-54 |
P |
1.00 |
| 0-49 |
F |
0.00 |
| |
DNW |
0.00 |
See the Academic Calendar for General Information including how to withdraw from course(s) and other regulations.
Disclaimer
Information contained in this course outline is correct at the time of publication. Content of the course is revised on an ongoing basis to ensure relevance to changing educational, employment and market needs. The instructor will endeavor to provide notice of changes to students as soon as possible. The instructor reserves the right to add or delete material from courses.