Name: Accimapping: Theory to Practice
Start: 2026-10-21T10:30:00-0700
End: 2026-10-21T12:00:00-0700

Main Conference: Tuesday October 20 - Thursday, October 22, 2026

Preconference: Monday October 19 - Tuesday, October 20, 2026

*Schedule subject to change.

Accimapping: Theory to Practice

Wednesday October 21, 2026 10:30am - 12:00pm PDT

Clackamas

Systems based risk management has been a leading theory and approach explored at WRMC and throughout the outdoor education risk management community over the past decade. Specifically, accimaps, and accimapping, has been shown to be a leading new practice to better understand how accidents occur and how to better inspect systems within and beyond organizations. In particular, accimapping are a useful tool to identify "systems hazards," which might not be immediately visible in a linear, chain-of-risk approach to incident analysis. This presentation will look to show how a collaborative accimapping exercise after an incident occurs in the field (with both administration and field instructors) can give an organization tangible action steps and tools to reduce risk in the future. We will look at a specific incident that occurred during the Wild Rockies Field Institute's (WRFI) 2024 season, dig into the process of debriefing and accimapping together, and look at some of the outcomes and changes WRFI has made since then to address systemic issues uncovered.

Speakers

Matt-Baker-White

Executive Director, Wild Rockies Field Instutite

Matt Baker-White, M.Ed. is a seasoned field instructor, program administrator, and self-proclaimed risk nerd. As a climber, skiier, backpacker, educator, and parent, he is used to managing field-based risks. As a nonprofit executive director, he has leaned heavily into systems thinking... Read More →

Ash Sward

Enrollment and Operations Coordinator, Wild Rockies Field Institute

Ash Sward, M.Sc. is an experienced field instructor, having led sections of courses for WRFI in Montana and the Southwest. Additionally they helped stand up a local nonprofit in Missoula, MT focused on increasing access to outdoor board sports and empowering youth and marginalized... Read More →

Wednesday October 21, 2026 10:30am - 12:00pm PDT
Clackamas 909 N Hayden Island Dr, Portland, OR 97217

Field Practices, Breakout Session

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2026 Wilderness Risk Management Conference

Matt-Baker-White

Ash Sward

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2026 Wilderness Risk Management Conference

Matt-Baker-White

Ash Sward

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