About
Our Mission: to build a community of mindful backcountry travelers in conversation with the more-than-human world.
Our Core Values are… Connection ~ Community ~ Continuity
Grounding Truth aspires to…
Inspire a more reciprocal way of engaging with the natural world
Empower diligence in decision making during mountain travel activities
Be with place, rather than use it to achieve some end
Be with place, rather than use it to achieve some end
Provide a safe space to deepen one’s relationship with the snow, the mountains, oneself, and each other
Encourage respect, a culture of deeper listening, and sincere gratitude for what remains wil
Trips
AIARE 1
“The AIARE 1 is a three-day / 24-hour introduction to avalanche hazard management.
Students can expect to develop a good grounding in how to prepare for and carry out a backcountry 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).”
Dates:
December 4 (classroom in Bellingham), 6-7th (Field days)
Program cost: $590
Payment portal adds 3% upcharge for credit card transactions
To avoid the upcharge, submit payment through Zelle (julieann@groundingtruth.com)
Field Location: Baker Backcountry (Saturday/Sunday), WA
Seasonality
Dec
AIARE 2 AIR BNB Based, WOmen+
This program allows for an extra day (4 days total) of guided mentorship to deepen the concepts of an AIARE 2 and give you more time to solidify your understanding.
“The AIARE 2 is a three-day/24-hour course that provides backcountry travelers an opportunity to advance their decision making skills in more complicated situations such as being a leader within a small travel group, traveling in more complicated terrain, and/or developing a travel plan where resources are scarce.
The AIARE 2 builds on the introductory avalanche hazard management model introduced in the AIARE 1 and adds to it the evaluation of critical hazard assessment factors. Students will describe and discuss weather, snowpack and avalanche processes, and identify how these processes relate to observations and travel within avalanche terrain.”
Dates:
- March 5-8, 2026
- March 25-28, 2026
Program cost: $2000 - $2500 sliding scale
Location: Glacier, WA, Mt. Baker Backcountry
Seasonality
Mar
AIARE Rescue COURSE
Become a more equipped backcountry partner for when things take a turn for the unexpected.
Dates:
December 5th, 2025 (1 day) $250
Easily coupled with our December 4th (classroom), 6-7th (field) AIARE 1.
December 10-11th, 2025 (2 days) $400
Two days allows for more practice opportunities and a deeper dive into multi-burial and team scenarios.
Location: Baker Backcountry, WA
AAAIARE Rescue Certificate
Seasonality
Dec
Stay up to date with the latest trips and top tips from the world's best guides.
© 2025 - CACHE SEVEN INC