The Avalanche Hour Podcast

Tune in for candid stories and a humorous take on the roots of Canadian avalanche work. Bruce Jamieson is joined by Larry Stanier to interview Roddy McGowan. Roddy McGowan is a veteran Canadian mountain guide and avalanche professional who carved out his career the hard way, starting as a ski bum in Whistler in the late 1970s before working his way onto ski patrol at Lake Louise and into the renowned avalanche program at Rogers Pass. Known for his persistence, he failed multiple guiding courses before eventually earning his credentials and going on to guide, and complete major ski traverses across western Canada. Over decades in the mountains, he combined hands-on experience while collecting a lifetime of stories—from early dirtbag winters to serious close calls that shaped his perspective on risk and decision-making. Now retired from guiding and living in Japan, Roddy stays connected to the mountains, still observing snow and reflecting - often with wit - on a career in the mountains. Larry has worked in the avalanche patch since 1982, beginning his career as a ski patroller in the early years at Blackcomb ski area. He started ski guiding in 1986 and is a long standing IFMGA Mountain Guide, working all over the world from Kyrgyzstan to the Japanese Alps. He also then worked for many years in the avalanche consulting business for Chris Stethem and Associates, and for over 20 years taught courses for the Canadian Avalanche Association. Larry has also conducted inspections of helicopter and snow cat skiing operations for Helicat Canada and HeliskiUS.This episode contains lessons on how avalanche safety knowledge developed through experience, mentorship, mistakes, and reflection—not just formal science​Tune in to hear stories from the Canadian avalanche industry of the 80s and 90s - including Blackcomb and Rogers. ​Roddy McGowan reflects candidly on the “human factors” leading to a significant avalanche burial of a snowcat.​The development of avalanche science and standards under the rigorous leadership of Fred and Walter Schleiss at Rogers Pass.​Stories from ski traverses with minimal equipment by modern standards, and the ensuing adventures. Thanks to the sponsors of the show.Episode Sponsor:⁠Propagation Labs⁠Legacy Sponsors:Darren Johnson Avalanche Education Memorial FundAVSSDrone AmplifiedPartner Sponsors:CIL AvalancheSafebackonX Backcountry Use the code avalanchehour to receive 30% off a year of onX Backcountry Elite or Premium Music: KetsaArtwork: Mike Tea Production: Angie LakeSupport the Show, Buy some Merch!

Episode Summary:- A conversation with Drone Amplified, the team introduces Montis, a drone-based system designed to deliver explosives remotely with greater precision and safety. - The episode traces the history of avalanche mitigation, from early explosive use in 1939 to modern tools aimed at reducing human exposure.- Technology evolved from wildland firefighting and what makes its electronic ignition system a significant advancement.- A forward-looking perspective on how emerging technologies like drones may reshape the industry in the years aheadIn this episode of The Avalanche Hour Podcast, host Caleb Merrill sits down with the team at Drone Amplified for a conversation rooted around a single question: how can the avalanche industry continue to use effective avalanche mitigation strategies while reducing the significant hazard exposure for avalanche workers? They explore the evolution of avalanche control technology and introduce Montis, a drone-based system designed to deliver explosives remotely with increased precision and safety.You will hear how this technology originated in wildland firefighting, the advantages of electronic ignition systems, and what makes drone deployment a potential game changer for reducing worker exposure. The episode also examines how these tools could fit into existing avalanche mitigation strategies and what their growing presence signals about the future of the field.This episode offers both a grounded look at the realities of avalanche work today and a forward-looking perspective on how emerging technologies like drones may reshape the industry in the years ahead.A huge thank you to Drone Amplified for being a Legacy Sponsor of the podcast this season. We couldn’t keep the lights on without them! Resources from the Episode: Check out Drone Amplified’s homepage hereCheck out a video on their technology, MontisMusic: KetsaArtwork: Mike Tea Production: Caleb Merrill, Angie Lake

In this episode of The Avalanche Hour, Caleb Merrill makes another appearance to sit down with Mark Staples, director of the Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center, and avalanche researcher/educator Bruce Jamieson. The group discuss heavyweight topics in the avalanche industry such as snow-surface energy exchange, near-surface faceting, and communicating avalanche hazard. Staples recounts his path from powder skiing to avalanche work, his research on snow-surface energy balance, and his experience connecting with varied user groups. Jamieson describes collaborating with Staples on educational videos and credits Karl Birkeland’s 1998 papers for focusing attention on near-surface faceting. Staples also contrasts surface hoar (vapor deposition) with near-surface facets (metamorphism of existing snow grains), and they cover conditions that promote growth, including cooling to a clear sky and relative humidity. The conversation also explores simplifying avalanche problem types, terrain-based risk management, the public’s interest in science, and learning from accidents. Thanks to the sponsors of the show!Legacy Sponsors:Darren Johnson Avalanche Education Memorial FundAVSSDrone AmplifiedPartner Sponsors:CIL AvalancheSafebackonX BackcountryEpisode Sponsor:ArvaMusic: KetsaArtwork: Mike Tea Production: Caleb Merrill, Bob Keating

Join us for our sixth installment of Slabs ‘n Sluff with  your hosts Sara Boilen and Dom Baker! Sara and Dom discuss the joy of powder turns in low hazard terrain, slope tests on small features and the upcoming spring skiing season.  They also review recent episodes from March and take a look at what is coming up for April on the Avalanche Hour Podcast. Tune in to hear from the ISSW 2026 organizing committee about everything to look forward to from Whistler next fall.  Sara Boilen holds a doctorate in clinical psychology from the University of Denver (2011). Professionally, she works with individuals who have had interactions with the justice system often in the spirit of helping to make sense of behavior and context. She has taken her professional interests and merged it with her recreational interests to contribute to the field of avalanche sciences in her free time. She is specifically interested in human-related problems and solutions. Dr. Boilen has presented at seven Snow and Avalanche Workshops and at ISSW in Norway. She has written articles for The Avalanche Review and was a co-author on the recently proposed conceptual framework for human factors in avalanche terrain. She lives in Northwest Montana and will carry dessert for you to the top of any mountain her skills will take her to.Dom Baker is an avalanche technician with the BC Ministry of Transportation at Kootenay Pass, occasional avalanche course instructor and adventure buddy to his kids.  Episode Summary:- Sara and Dom discuss winter weather patterns, adapting to rapidly changing ski conditions, and look ahead to spring- Review of the last month of programming, highlighting interviews that captured the hosts imagination or got us thinking- Safely poking around on small features to build a better picture of the avalanche hazard- The ISSW 2026 organizing committee drop by for a chat- A voicemail from a listener.Thanks to the sponsors of the show.Legacy Sponsors:Darren Johnson Avalanche Education Memorial FundAVSSDrone AmplifiedPartner Sponsors:CIL AvalancheSafebackonX BackcountryMusic: KetsaArtwork: Mike Tea Production: Dom Baker, Bob Keating

Summary of the Conversation: -Exploring the societal pressures as human factor on professional athletes-Sasha shares how she balances decision making in the backcountry with a very mindful approach inclusive of her nervous system-Sasha cracks the code on the best Human Factor Hack; creating mindful presence in a meditative, naturalist inquisitive approach to the mountains.-Sasha talks about the preventative nature of choosing backcountry partners by engaging in conversations that share each others unique stress signatures and what each partner needs in high risk scenarios.  Sasha is a professional skier and meditation teacher, and the founder and director of Mountain Mind Project. She has spent her lifetime training her mind and body. Sasha has competed at the highest level of skiing and mountain biking, winning the Freeskiing World Tour and competing on the Freeride World Tour and Enduro World Series. In high school, she was invited to travel with the National Development System and race internationally in the recruitment pipeline for the U.S. Ski Team. She’s always loved the mental game. Her meditation practice grew out of her time as a competitive athlete. Sasha saw – in herself and those she loved – how accidents, trauma and life’s load can compound over a career. During years of illness and chronic pain, Sasha became a qualified Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Teacher by the UCSD School of Medicine MBPTI.Sasha’s style of meditation is to engage fully within the inherent risk of life, refined from her time spent in the inherent risk environment of mountains. Her mission is to normalize that the health in mental health can be cultivated – through deep relationship to self, others and the natural world from meditation practice.  Sasha is the daughter and granddaughter of Vietnam war refugees and keeps one foot planted in the Mountain West of the U.S. and the other in the Mekong of Vietnam.Thanks to the sponsors of the show.Legacy Sponsors:Darren Johnson Avalanche Education Memorial FundAVSSDrone AmplifiedPartner Sponsors:CIL AvalancheSafebackonX BackcountryEpisode Sponsor:OpenSnowMusic: KetsaArtwork: Mike Tea Production: Caleb Merrill, Bob Keating

Join us in giving a warm welcome to Lynne Wolfe for her first official episode as a host with the Avalanche Hour Podcast as she shares a thoughtful and reflective conversation with Eric Trenbeath and Brad Meiklejohn. A lot has changed about the avalanche industry in 34 years, but one thing we will never lose is the presence of uncertainty when we make decisions in avalanche terrain. On February 12th, 1992, ⁠an avalanche occurred in the Talking Mountain Cirque of Upper Gold Basin ⁠in the La Sal Mountains of SE Utah. This accident involved six expert-level backcountry skiers and tragically claimed the lives of four: Mark Yates (contacted UAC Forecaster), Maribel Loveridge, Jeremy Hopkins, and Bill Turk. The group reflects on the terrain, snowpack, and heuristic factors that contributed to this incident, expanding these ideas to similar trends they see continuing in our community today and offering these lessons as learning opportunities for us all to bring into the mountains. The biggest takeaway: maintain a sense of wonder and be ready to be surprised by how snow behaves.About our host and guests: Lynne Wolfe is a retired Teton guide, editor of The Avalanche Review, and she teaches a few courses a season for AAI in the Pro program. She lives in Driggs, Idaho, with husband Dan Powers and the Lucky Dog. She can be influenced by offering dark chocolate, thick coffee, or hazy IPA.Brad Meiklejohn worked at the Utah Avalanche Center from 1983 - 1992. He has been Alaska State Director of The Conservation Fund since 1994.Eric Trenbeath was born and raised on the Wasatch Front. He lived and worked in Alta, Utah for 10 years starting out as a live-in cook at the Goldminer's Daughter before landing a job on the Alta Ski Patrol. Equal parts desert and mountain lover, he has worked as a UAC forecaster in the La Sal Mountains near Moab for 16 seasons (1999-2003, 2013-present). Resources mentioned in the conversation:⁠The Avalanche Review - 41.3 - Off the Bench (pg. 30)⁠Thanks to the sponsors of the show.Legacy Sponsors:Darren Johnson Avalanche Education Memorial FundAVSSDrone AmplifiedPartner Sponsors:CIL AvalancheSafebackonX BackcountryMusic: KetsaArtwork: Mike Tea Production: Caleb Merrill, Bob Keating

Science and experience-built intuition are a composite - they are stronger together than they are separate, especially when we start to see things that we have never seen before. Join Gabrielle Antonioli and Karl Birkeland for an expansive conversation on the critical factors we weigh each day: uncertainty, decision-making scales, and a reflective discussion on how we are strongest when we embrace both sides of the avalanche industry. A snow scientist might not make the best guide if they only stay in the lab but field practitioners need a cross-referenced resource to better face & understand an increasingly dynamic and variable snowpack/climate where outliers are increasingly becoming the new normal. These thoughts are what prompted Karl to write The Starting Zone Book for practitioners, scientists, and everyone in between. Conversation Highlights:- There is uncertainty in all of our assessments, but as we better understand the science behind avalanche mechanics, we can better understand the uncertainty that remains in our assessments required to make decisions in avalanche terrain. - Science is having a structured process for your curiosity - Be a super-forecaster: comfortable with uncertainty and always looking to disprove your hypothesis- Use your intuition to tell you the snowpack is unstable - collect information that disproves your hypothesis.- Effect of temperature on dry-slab avalanche mechanics. Assumption: warmth = more reactivity? Not necessarily. About our host and guest:Gabrielle Antonioli is the current director of the Payette Avalanche Center. Her career started with simply being a curious and avid backcountry traveler—and by asking plenty of questions to Karl Birkeland and the forecasters at the GNFAC. She began as an intern at the GNFAC, and rooted a career in teaching recreational and professional avalanche education courses while completing coursework for an MS in snow science. Following that thread of curiosity and interest in snow expanded to forecasting for the Going-to-the-Sun Road, the Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center, and brought her to her current position. She also manages the A3 Resilience Project.Karl Birkeland has worked with snow and avalanches for the past 45 years, including as a ski patroller, backcountry avalanche forecaster, avalanche researcher, and as the Director of the Forest Service's National Avalanche Center. After retiring from the Forest Service three years ago he set out to - in the words of a friend - ruin a perfectly good retirement by creating an electronic resource for avalanche professionals. Karl has been recognized by his peers with the American Avalanche Association's Bernie Kingery (2008) and Honorary Membership (2024) Awards.Resources mentioned in the interview:Conditions for Intuitive Expertise: A Failure to Disagree (Kahneman and Klein)The Fundamental Processes in Conventional Avalanche Forecasting (Ed LaChapelle) Scaling Issues in Snow Hydrology (Gunter Bloschl) The Starting Zone - By Karl Birkeland Thanks to the sponsors of the show.Legacy Sponsors:Darren Johnson Avalanche Education Memorial FundAVSSDrone AmplifiedPartner Sponsors:CIL AvalancheSafebackonX BackcountryEpisode Sponsor:IPA CollectiveMusic: KetsaArtwork: Mike Tea Production: Caleb Merrill, Bob Keating

Join us for our fifth installment of Slabs ‘n Sluff with Sara Boilen and the return of co-host, Dom Baker! Sara and Dom discuss hazard forecasting and the North American Public Avalanche Danger Scale.  They also review February and take a look at what is coming up for March on the Avalanche Hour Podcast. Sara Boilen holds a doctorate in clinical psychology from the University of Denver (2011). Professionally, she works with individuals who have had interactions with the justice system often in the spirit of helping to make sense of behavior and context. She has taken her professional interests and merged it with her recreational interests to contribute to the field of avalanche sciences in her free time. She is specifically interested in human-related problems and solutions. Dr. Boilen has presented at seven Snow and Avalanche Workshops and at ISSW in Norway. She has written articles for The Avalanche Review and was a co-author on the recently proposed conceptual framework for human factors in avalanche terrain. She lives in Northwest Montana and will carry dessert for you to the top of any mountain her skills will take her to.Dom Baker is an avalanche technician with the BC Ministry of Transportation at Kootenay Pass, occasional avalanche course instructor and adventure buddy to his kids.  Episode Summary:- Discussing the differences between moderate, considerable and high avalanche danger ratings- Review of the last 6-8 weeks of programming, highlighting interviews that captured the hosts imagination or got us thinking- Recent rabbit holes worth exploring- What’s on deck for the second half of the seasonResources Mentioned in the Conversation:The Avalanche Hour Podcast 5.25: European avalanche rescuesThanks to the sponsors of the show.Legacy Sponsors:Darren Johnson Avalanche Education Memorial FundAVSSDrone AmplifiedPartner Sponsors:CIL AvalancheSafebackonX BackcountryMusic: KetsaArtwork: Mike Tea Production: Dom Baker, Bob Keating

Caleb Merrill is back to interview Dan Abrams for a reflective conversation on a tragic avalanche accident. Tune in for a conversation that stems from the soul…. soul skiing that is, and the endless search for those perfect powder turns that brings our small community of soul skiers & riders together. Dan and Caleb center the conversation’s focus on recounting the Tunnel Creek avalanche accident that Dan was involved with back in 2012. This accident was followed by significant media coverage and quickly drew attention across the country. The New York Times eventually produced a Pulitzer Prize-winning multimedia feature called Snow Fall: The Avalanche at Tunnel Creek about the accident, produced by reporter John Branch. Dan reflects on the lessons he learned from this event and how it has shaped his life today. He highlights that we should put greater focus on our motivations or expectations for a backcountry touring day and how we should change our plans to better align with those goals. We should also make sure we fully read and understand the public avalanche hazard bulletin before leaving the trailhead for a tour and make sure we do not let human biases veil our ability to identify red flags. Dan is a co-founder of Flylow, a ski apparel and gear brand founded in 2004 by two college friends who were self-proclaimed ‘ski bums’ that wanted to create backcountry ski pants that could hold up to the demands of the sport and terrain. Key Moments from the Conversation- Dan recounts and reflects on his involvement with the Tunnel Creek Avalanche Accident near Stevens Pass, WA back in 2012- The most important part before going into the backcountry should be fully reading the avalanche hazard bulletin and checking the excitement levels so red flags are not overlooked. - Pay attention to group size - large groups introduce heightened uncertainty. Resources Mentioned in the Conversation: Snow Fall: The Avalanche at Tunnel Creek, New York TimesThanks to the sponsors of the show.Legacy Sponsors:Darren Johnson Avalanche Education Memorial FundAVSSDrone AmplifiedPartner Sponsors:CIL AvalancheSafebackonX BackcountryMusic: KetsaArtwork: Mike Tea Production: Caleb Merrill, Bob Keating

Our next episode is out! Joe Stock sits down with Mik Dalpes for a conversation centered around leadership and culture in the avalanche industry. Mik grew up in Minnesota where she formed a passion for skiing. Her career includes spending time as a ski patroller, Outward Bound Instructor, Park Ranger, avalanche educator, and Avalanche Forecaster for the Chugach National Forest Avalanche Center. Mik had 2 children along the way and has become very interested in what types of leaders and cultures make people thrive in the avalanche industry.Interview Highlights:- Good leaders build a culture that is healthy, which includes treating people the same, handling mistakes well, and having a good balance of confidence and humility- Women should be treated the same as any other person who has a medical condition when they are pregnant and breastfeeding- A wide variety of skills are needed to be an avalanche professional and equal value should be placed on all of these skills including emotional and social skills.Resources from the conversation:- Women and Leadership Conference- Parenting Resource - "Is it a Man's World?"Thanks to the sponsors of the show.Legacy Sponsors:Darren Johnson Avalanche Education Memorial FundAVSSDrone AmplifiedPartner Sponsors:CIL AvalancheSafebackonX BackcountryEpisode Sponsor:Open SnowMusic: KetsaArtwork: Mike Tea Production: Caleb Merrill, Angie Lake

Be More Selective, Not More Careful: Hot Takes from the Avalanche Industry Interview Highlights:- A terrain-first avalanche education reset: clear language, fewer false certainties, better decision framing.- Real-world mentorship you can actually build: “friendtorship” structures, debrief prompts, and partner feedback that scales from rec to pro.- Inclusion that’s operational, not performative: how All In Ice Fest trains guides and changes who feels welcome (and safer) in mountain spaces.Jason Antin sits down with Kristin Arnold and Sheldon Kerr of Moxie for a candid, wide-ranging conversation that starts at All In Ice Fest at the Ouray Ice Park—and quickly moves into some very real hot takes on the snow and avalanche industry. Tune in to hear Kristin and Sheldon pull no punches as they share experience-backed perspectives on avalanche education, decision-making, and the systems we’ve built around them.Along the way, they unpack how All In has grown into a major gathering designed for BIPOC, adaptive, LGBTQ2SIA+, and neurodivergent communities—and how centering training and leadership development within those communities reshapes what access, authority, and representation can look like in the mountains.The conversation then drills into the core of their teaching philosophy: terrain management first, valuing consequence over likelihood, and acknowledging that humans are fundamentally bad at probabilistic thinking (and that this is not a moral failing). They explore “friendtorship” as a more honest alternative to the mythical mentorship pipeline, the outsized impact of short, consistent debriefs, and why being more selective consistently beats trying to be more careful in complex snowpacks.They wrap with a series of lightning-round moments—including a spirited debate on beacon harness vs. pocket carry, why avalanche accident analysis often gets overcomplicated, and each guest’s Personal Disaster Flag: the human-factor tendencies they actively manage to stay sharp in the field.About our guests:Kristin Arnold (she/her) and Sheldon Kerr (she/her), from Ridgway, CO, are the owners and lead guides of Moxie Mountain Guides.  As of spring 2025, they are 2 of 19 total women AMGA/IFMGA guides in the U.S.*  Kristin and Sheldon started Moxie in January of 2023. As Moxie, they’ve guided skiing on Chilean volcanos, taught rock climbing clinics all over the Western US, built risk management plans and forecasted avalanches for Colorado silver mines, trained US Special Forces teams in mountain skills, instructed professional avalanche courses all over the country, and worked with small businesses and national organizations to improve their diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.Both Arnold and Kerr are also on the Instructor Team for the American Mountain Guide Association, staff members of the American Institute of Avalanche Research and Education, and graduates of Habit Queer’s Fitness Beyond the Binary certification program. They have also completed training through Paradox Sports in working with adaptive athletes.Resources discussed in the episode: All In Ice FestMoxie Mountain GuideThanks to the sponsors of the show.Legacy Sponsors:Darren Johnson Avalanche Education Memorial FundAVSSDrone AmplifiedPartner Sponsors:CIL AvalancheSafebackonX BackcountryEpisode Sponsor:ArvaMusic: KetsaArtwork: Mike Tea Production: Caleb Merrill, Bob Keating 

Interview Highlights: - Coming home each day is always the goal, and debriefing seems to be a helpful tool in adding expertise to our experience. - Debriefing can look many different ways. It can happen in real time during an outing, known as a rolling debrief, or it can happen at the end of  the day, and even at a later time. - Ian and Sara posit that our debriefing skills are in need of attention, and that different personal and environmental factors impact how well we perform this critical task.- While professionals participating in a debrief often have a defined leader, recreational users benefit from peer leadership.About our guests:Sara Boilen holds a doctorate in clinical psychology from the University of Denver (2011). Professionally, she works with individuals who have had interactions with the justice system often in the spirit of helping to make sense of behavior and context. She has taken her professional interests and merged it with her recreational interests to contribute to the field of avalanche sciences in her free time. She is specifically interested in human-related problems and solutions. Dr. Boilen has presented at seven Snow and Avalanche Workshops and at ISSW in Norway. She has written articles for The Avalanche Review and was a co-author on the recently proposed conceptual framework for human factors in avalanche terrain. She lives in Northwest Montana and will carry dessert for you to the top of any mountain her skills will take her to.Ian McCammon, often considered the godfather of human factors in avalanche education, has a unique background with a foot in scientific research and another in backcountry exploration. With formal training in physics, materials science, and engineering, Ian started in R&D before becoming deeply involved in avalanche education in the 1990s. Following the loss of his friend Steve Carruthers in an avalanche, he was driven to study how experienced individuals make fatal decisions despite knowing better. His work has since shaped modern avalanche education and risk management strategies.Thanks to the sponsors of the show.Legacy Sponsors:Darren Johnson Avalanche Education Memorial FundAVSSDrone AmplifiedPartner Sponsors:CIL AvalancheSafebackonX BackcountryEpisode Sponsor:Snowbound SolutionsMusic: KetsaArtwork: Mike Tea Production: Caleb Merrill, Bob Keating

Join us for our fourth installment of Slabs ‘n Sluff with Sara Boilen and guest co-host, Sean Zimmerman-Wall! Sara and Sean review January and take a look at what is coming up for February in the Avalanche Hour Podcast. We also hear an update from Dom. Sara Boilen holds a doctorate in clinical psychology from the University of Denver (2011). Professionally, she works with individuals who have had interactions with the justice system often in the spirit of helping to make sense of behavior and context. She has taken her professional interests and merged it with her recreational interests to contribute to the field of avalanche sciences in her free time. She is specifically interested in human-related problems and solutions. Dr. Boilen has presented at seven Snow and Avalanche Workshops and at ISSW in Norway. She has written articles for The Avalanche Review and was a co-author on the recently proposed conceptual framework for human factors in avalanche terrain. She lives in Northwest Montana and will carry dessert for you to the top of any mountain her skills will take her to.Sean Zimmerman-Wall works to build connections across the avalanche community through ski patrolling, teaching and occasional guiding gigs.  Determined to leave the industry better than he found it, he believes he can grow alongside others and develop strong relationships that last.Episode Summary:- Discussing the impact of Traumatic Brain Injuries on our community members- Review of the last 6-8 weeks of programming, highlighting interviews that captured the hosts imagination or got us thinking- Digging through the mailbag for some gems- Recent rabbit holes worth exploring- What’s on deck for the second half of the season- onX Backcountry Highlight: Caleb x Andy SovickResources Mentioned in the Conversation:Fatal Occupational Injuries of Avalanche Workers in North America -Ethan Greene, et. alAssessing and Communicating Likelihood and Probability of Snow Avalanches Scott Thumlert, et. al.Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself: How to Lose Your Mind and Create a New One- Dr. Joe DispenzaQuit: The Power of Knowing When to Walk Away- Annie DukeTBI: BasicsThanks to the sponsors of the show.Legacy Sponsors:Darren Johnson Avalanche Education Memorial FundAVSSDrone AmplifiedPartner Sponsors:CIL AvalancheSafebackonX BackcountryMusic: KetsaArtwork: Mike Tea Production: Caleb Merrill, Bob Keating

Pascal Haegeli’s career path is anything but conventional. After completing his Master’s degree in Switzerland, he moved to Canada in the mid-1990s – where he found the opportunity of a lifetime. There he built an academic career and became a very influential researcher in avalanche risk management, shaping safety practices across North America and beyond.Today, Pascal is an Associate Professor and Director of the School of Resource and Environmental Management at Simon Fraser University in Vancouver and leads the SFU Avalanche Research Group (SARP). His team’s work spans everything from avalanche forecasting, snowpack and hazard modelling to operational decision-making practices and risk communication.This spring, Pascal begins an exciting new chapter: returning to Switzerland as Head of Avalanche Research and Prevention at the SLF in Davos. He brings decades of international experience back to where his journey began - strengthening collaboration across the Atlantic.Interview Highlights:- How chance, timing, and hard work shaped Pascal’s avalanche career in Canada- The mission and intention behind the SFU Avalanche Research Group - Why avalanche research moves slower than the industry – and why that matters- Why Pascal is returning to Switzerland and what that means for avalanche research in CanadaResources Cited in Conversation: SFU SARP websitePostDoc PositionThanks to the sponsors of the show.Legacy Sponsors:Darren Johnson Avalanche Education Memorial FundAVSSDrone AmplifiedPartner Sponsors:CIL AvalancheSafebackonX BackcountryEpisode Sponsor:Peak VisorMusic: KetsaArtwork: Mike Tea Production: Caleb Merrill, Bob Keating 

Joe Stock and Luc Mehl have been on many adventures together. Join them for a great conversation about risk management in wild places. In Joe's words: Luc Mehl is one of Alaska’s foremost adventurers, filling the gap between Roman Dial and Dick Griffith. He’s been at the forefront of ski traversing, packrafting, wild ice skating and now wilderness risk management. Luc grew up in rural Alaska and has traveled over 10,000 miles of the state by foot, ski, pedal, paddle, and ice skate. Luc's work has earned several national awards, two for The Packraft Handbook, and others for public service in boating safety and leadership in wilderness risk management. Luc's business, Triple Point Training, provides wilderness risk management and rescue training. Luc’s Triple Point Training: https://triplepointtraining.com Luc’s Podcast and blog: https://thingstolucat.com/ Interview highlightsLuc grew up in rural Alaska and it shaped his life ahead. Luc shares the story of a few of his big mountain ski trips including road to road ski traverses of Denal and Mount Logan. Over the past 20 year Luc’s relationship with risk has evolved from pushing the envelope of what’s possible to finding peace with his place in the mountains. Part of this evolution included life-changing experiences with avalanches that have left him no longer comfortable going into avalanche terrain. He’s now at the cutting edge of wild ice skating and ice rescue. Our conversation concludes with his new projects and work in wilderness risk management. Thanks to the sponsors of the show.Legacy Sponsors:⁠Darren Johnson Avalanche Education Memorial Fund⁠⁠AVSS⁠⁠Drone Amplified⁠Partner Sponsors:⁠CIL Avalanche⁠⁠Safeback⁠⁠onX Backcountry⁠ Use code: avalanchehour for 30% off a year of onX Backcountry Elite or Premium Membership.Episode Sponsor:Propagation LabsMusic: ⁠Ketsa⁠Artwork: ⁠Mike Tea ⁠Production: Caleb Merrill, ⁠Bob Keating

“Science is What We Do to Keep from Lying to Ourselves” ~ Richard Feynman. In this conversation, Bruce Jamieson is back to interview Dr. Karl Birkeland and Joe Stock for a deep dive into snow science. Jamieson brings us with him on a snow science journey alongside two of the industry’s top authors and experts on snow avalanches. Their conversations comment on the importance of the science side of the industry as “understanding how things work allows us to anticipate conditions that are outside of our experience.” Interview Highlights:- Stopping to dig a snow pit or review & interpret observations helps groups engage with the snowpack, fosters curiosity, and encourages collaborative decision-making- Long-term practitioners often become humble and curious due to encountering surprises and unknowns in avalanche work- The amount of science needed depends on the individual and their goals; more knowledge can help practitioners and recreationists make better decisions, especially in unfamiliar conditions   - People benefit from a tiered training framework: core skills in main courses coupled with more science topics through CPD and ISSWs. Joe Stock is an IFMGA mountain guide who has distilled decades of skiing, climbing, guiding and teaching avalanche courses into a step-by-step system outlined in The Avalanche Factor - a handbook for recreational skiers and climbers who want to get into backcountry avalanche terrain using their own power.Karl Birkeland’s The Starting Zone is an e-book specifically targeting avalanche professionals and advanced recreationists. It’s an essential resource for avalanche professionals, blending cutting-edge science with practical avalanche application.Thanks to the sponsors of the show.Legacy Sponsors:Darren Johnson Avalanche Education Memorial FundAVSSDrone AmplifiedPartner Sponsors:CIL AvalancheSafebackonX BackcountryEpisode Sponsor:Open SnowMusic: KetsaArtwork: Mike Tea Production: Caleb Merrill, Bob Keating

Morgan Dinsdale is a professional ski guide, writer, holistic nutritionist and the Founder and Executive Director of the State of the Snowpack, a public safety non-profit dedicated to connecting avalanche professionals with their local communities across the mountain communities of Canada.A Canadian Ski Guide Association (CSGA) Level 2 Ski Guide and the first Level 2 ever elected to the CSGA Board of Directors, Morgan spends her winters guiding for Whistler Heli-Skiing and Selkirk Snowcat Skiing. Her career blends her deep love for skiing with heartfelt storytelling, mentorship, and a passion for creating more connection, compassion, playfulness and transparency in the backcountry. Outside of guiding, Morgan is a devoted long-distance thru-hiker, having walked thousands of miles around the world, from New Zealand's Te Araroa to the Continental Divide Trail. She feels most herself in truly wild places, often with her beloved dog, Teddy Bear, by her side. In a profession often defined by grit and bravado, Morgan brings her own form of mountain strength—rooted in tenderness, intuition, mindfulness and the color pink. She believes femininity and wildness belong together, and that leadership in the mountains can be both grounded and graceful.Interview Highlights: Morgan Dinsdale shares the history of her non-profit, State of The SnowpackMorgan shares how her team at Selkirk Snowcat Skiing re-created The Stress Continuum to fit their decision-making model in their guide meetingsMorgan shares some profound wisdom from a recent near miss avalanche accidentWe would like to dedicate this show to Judson Wright, co-founder of State of The Snowpack with Morgan who just passed away of a heart attack on Saturday, November 15, 2025. Thanks to the sponsors of the show.Legacy Sponsors:Darren Johnson Avalanche Education Memorial FundAVSSDrone AmplifiedPartner Sponsors:CIL AvalancheSafebackonX BackcountryEpisode Sponsor:IPA CollectiveMusic: KetsaArtwork: Mike Tea Production: Caleb Merrill, Bob Keating 

In this episode, Matthias Walcher sits down with Jürg Schweizer for a deep dive on a career focused on snow science. Jürg Schweizer studied environmental physics at ETH Zurich and joined SLF, at that time still up on the Weissfluhjoch, after completing his PhD. He spent a formative year conducting research at Rogers Pass in Canada. He rose from researcher to head of the world’s most renowned institute in the field, leading pioneering work that shaped modern avalanche science. Along the way, he mentored dozens of young scientists who now advance our understanding of snow and avalanches worldwide.Interview highlights:- How avalanche research has changed over the decades.- What it takes to build a career in avalanche science.- Why 4,000 feet of snow pits still hold surprises.- The importance of good mentorship.Resources cited in the conversation:https://www.instagram.com/whiteriskslf/?hl=enhttps://www.instagram.com/slfdavos/?hl=enLinks to many of his publications can be found here: https://www.slf.ch/de/mitarbeitende/schweizjThanks to the sponsors of the show.Legacy Sponsors:Darren Johnson Avalanche Education Memorial FundAVSSDrone AmplifiedPartner Sponsors:CIL AvalancheSafebackonX BackcountryEpisode Sponsor:Open SnowMusic: KetsaArtwork: Mike Tea Production: Caleb Merrill, Bob Keating

In memory of Judson Wright, this is a special re-airing of a Season 6 interview with him. Judson was a father and a husband first, and the founder and lead guide of Kootenay Backcountry Guides.  He was the co-founder of State of the Snowpack, and lead guide of White Grizzly Snowcat Skiing.  He was also the most enthusiastic crossing guard you ever met.  Judson guided with the principle that if you are doing it for yourself then you are no longer guiding.   He loved to share the joy of powder skiing and seeing people light up as they fall in love with it.We’re going to miss you Jud.  Rest in Powder. Summary of the Episode: - Wisdom shared from years of guiding and moving through the mountains- Philosophies on good guiding and instruction - At the end of the day, it’s just skiing.  We all need to come home to our families.  The Judson Wright Legacy Fund was established by Judson’s wife Kelly. This fund will support initiatives that reflect Judson’s values, including backcountry awareness and education. Find the fund here: https://ospreycommunityfoundation.ca/funds/judson-wright-legacy-fund/Resiliency Resources for Grief/Loss Listed in the Episode:Canada- Canadian Mountain Community Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) To find out more or get in touch with a Peer Responder: mountaincism.ca, [email protected] or the Dispatch Line (for immediate support): 604-670-2772- Mountain Muskox mountainmuskox.com- Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA)British Columbia Broader Regional Mental Health & Community Resources: bc.cmha.ca- Center for Loss and Life TransitionsAn organization dedicated to helping people who are grieving. Books and resources about grief: centerforloss.com- MyGrief.caMyGrief.ca is an online resource to help people move through their grief from the comfort of their own home, at their own pace. It can help you understand your grief and approach some of the most difficult questions that may arise.- Lumara Grief & Bereavement SocietyA BC based organization that runs programs for youth and families navigating grief and loss: lumarasociety.org/about-usUnited States- The American Avalanche Association Resiliency Projecthttps://www.americanavalancheassociation.org/resilience-project- Survivors of Outdoor Adventure Recovery (SOAR)Instagram page @outdooradventuresandrecovery or website soar4life.org- American Alpine Club, Climbers Grief Fundhttps://americanalpineclub.org/grieffund- Redside Foundation, supporting guides in MT, ID, CO, WYhttps://www.redsidefoundation.org/- Brooke Shiny Edwards - Resiliency Coach https://wildworldwanderings.com/coachingThanks to the sponsors of the show.Legacy Sponsors:Darren Johnson Avalanche Education Memorial FundAVSSDrone AmplifiedPartner Sponsors:CIL AvalancheSafebackonX BackcountryMusic: KetsaArtwork: Mike Tea Production: Caleb Merrill, Bob Keating 

This panel discussion was part of the Bend Snow & Avalanche Workshop (BendSAW), hosted by the Central Oregon Avalanche Center and originally recorded on November 8th, 2025. The panel brought together Margaret Wheeler, Liz King, Jason Boone and Kevin Grove, moderated by Sara Boilen. Dr. Sara Boilen is a psychologist based in Northwest Montana and a familiar voice from Slabs and Sluffs. In this episode, she shares the BendSAW panel on grief and loss in the mountain community that she facilitated. Having known grief from a young age, Sara has built her professional (and personal) life around the hard conversations most people avoid. As part of this community, she aims to move the needle toward greater honesty about the risks we take, deeper connection with our partners in the mountains, and even laughter amidst the pain.We want to extend a huge thank you to the panelists and everyone who attended BendSAW for bringing and allowing for vulnerability in this great community of ours. About the panelists:- Margaret Wheeler Margaret became the second woman in the US to complete her full AMGA IFMGA guide certification- Liz King is the Avalanche Program Director at the American Avalanche Institute - Jason Boone is a recreational user who took a big risk by getting up on stage- Kevin Grove is an educator, mentor and deeply rooted in the Central Oregon avalanche communityResources: If you struggle with grief, anxiety, depression, or existential pain from your experiences in the mountains, you’re definitely not alone. We know you’re not alone because there are (more than) four organizations entirely dedicated to helping folks just like you feel better. If you want some support, reach out to one of these great organizations, or a coworker, a friend, or someone in your family, and let them know how you’re doing. https://www.mountainmuskox.com/https://www.americanavalancheassociation.org/resilience-project - Episode Sponsor Climbing Grief Fund American Alpine Clubhttps://americanalpineclub.org › grieffundhttps://www.redsidefoundation.org/Thanks to the sponsors of the show.Legacy Sponsors:Darren Johnson Avalanche Education Memorial FundAVSSDrone AmplifiedPartner Sponsors:CIL AvalancheSafebackonX BackcountryEpisode Sponsor:A3 Resilience Project ⁠Propagation Labs⁠Music: KetsaArtwork: Mike Tea Production: Caleb Merrill, Bob Keating

Episode Highlights:- A wide ranging conversation touching on community, connection, loss, grief and decision making.- Field updates from Snow and Avalanche Workshops from Utah ProSAW, South Central AK SAW and Bend SAW- Highlights from episodes from November and upcoming episodes in December- Current community events- No more AI art! This is a sneak preview of our new Season 10 artwork - stay tuned for an exciting announcement! In the third installment of our monthly Slabs ‘n Sluff series, hosts Sara Boilen and Dom Baker sit down for a dynamic conversation covering the themes of building community through shared experiences, mentorship, decision-making, and loss. They discuss highlights from podcast episodes from November and look ahead to upcoming episodes in December.  The conversation highlights the significance of building connections & supporting one another, especially in light of recent losses in the avalanche community.Hear from voices in our community as they prepare for the upcoming winter season and highlight takeaways from attending fall snow & avalanche workshops. Sara and Dom discuss preseason training for professionals and recreationalists and have a question for you:  What does your preseason training look like?  How do you prepare for a fun and safe season of shredding?  What skills do you brush up on every season before the snow stacks up?  Call our voicemail line at 541-406-0221!Thanks to the sponsors of the show.Legacy Sponsors:Darren Johnson Avalanche Education Memorial FundAVSSDrone AmplifiedPartner Sponsors:CIL AvalancheSafebackonX BackcountryEpisode Sponsor:Safeback Music: KetsaArtwork: Mike Tea Production: Caleb Merrill, Bob Keating 

Do all heroes really wear capes? No, and the professionals who specialize in avalanche rescue never would - although they often wear red...sans tights - but they deserve a heartfelt thank you. This episode is a special opportunity to hear directly from those who show up when we need them most. We hope to never have to call them, but should listen closely to what they have to share with us. In this episode, Michael Ackerman, Dave Richards, Chrissie Oken, John Reller, and Jeremy Jolley bring you the Season 10 Rescue Roundup.  There’s something for everyone in here - whether you are a seasoned patroller or a recreational skier hoping to never need to be rescued.  Episode Highlights:- New GPS-enabled emerging technology for more powerful transceiver searching capabilities. Flux lines a thing of the past? PRO transceiver tests? - How do you shave seconds or minutes during a rescue? - Train constantly and accurately, but during a rescue, slow down. There are no excuses not to train with your transceiver.- How to get involved with your local Search & Rescue (SAR) group. - Technology advancements in the Search & Rescue field. - Airbag packs. Thanks to the sponsors of the show.Legacy Sponsors:Darren Johnson Avalanche Education Memorial FundAVSSDrone AmplifiedPartner Sponsors:CIL AvalancheSafebackonX BackcountryEpisode Sponsor:Arva Equipment Music: KetsaArtwork: Mike Tea Production: Caleb Merrill, Bob KeatingPhoto: In memory of Jiggs. Avalanche SAR dog for Snowbasin Ski Patrol, Wasatch Backcountry Rescue. Handler - Eric Landreth.

In loving memory of a legend from our community, we dedicate this episode to you, Wendy. From Wendy's family: '“I don’t get tired, I go hard!” Are the words six year old Wendy said to her uncle when on a hike. That was the way Wendy lived her life and achieved her dreams. The rest of us felt so lucky to scramble, climb, pedal, ski, or snow machine behind her, trying to keep up on another Wendy adventure.Wendy was born on October 31, 1973 in Salt Lake City, Utah and she touched the sky on November 6, 2025 in Park City, Utah under a super moon, giving us a fresh dusting of snow on the mountains. Wendy accomplished so much in her life. An incomplete list: 2002 and 2006 Olympic Winter Games athlete in cross country skiing, 4 World Championships participation, 6 National Championship wins, a coach at the University of Utah XC ski team 2006-2008, an intern for the Utah Avalanche Center, a master’s degree in atmospheric science from University of Utah leading to a career in avalanche forecasting, the Director of the Chugach National Forest Avalanche Information Center 2010-2025 and an air resource meteorologist for the US Forest Service deployed to wildfires.But beyond these amazing achievements, the most significant, however, is her sincere and genuine smile, infectious laugh and the positive energy behind it that had such an impact on so many during her life with us. She was the rock that drew the best out of all of us. She was a force of nature that we will all miss. Her spirit will stay alive in all of the hearts she touched. Energy doesn’t die, it transfers."A note from Andrew Schauer at the Chugach National Forest Avalanche Center:"[Wendy] shared with us at our last staff meeting just last week, that people had been asking her what’s on her bucket list? She said the only thing she wanted to do was “work at the avalanche center with all of us”. She has built something remarkable, and we are lucky to be able to carry the torch. Wendy set an incredibly high standard for trust and respect among our team and within our community. During her 15 seasons at the avalanche center, she built a solid foundation of partnerships and systems that will benefit our community well into the future. See Andrew's full note here. A few stats about Wendy:- She started at CNFAC during the 2010/11 season- 742 forecasts- First Chugach Avy fx: 02/06/2011- Final Chugach Avy fx: 04/13/2025 (High danger, P1: Storm Slab/ P2: Deep Slab!)- 452 observations- First Chugach Avy Obs: Seattle Creek 11/20/2011- Final Chugach Avy Obs: Seattle Creek 3/15/2025"Thanks to the sponsors of the show.Legacy Sponsors:Darren Johnson Avalanche Education Memorial FundAVSSDrone AmplifiedPartner Sponsors:CIL AvalancheSafebackonX BackcountryEpisode Sponsor:IPA CollectiveMusic: KetsaArtwork: Mike Tea Production: Caleb Merrill, Bob Keating 

Our November episode special is out now! Caleb Merrill sits down with Jayne Thompson Nolan with the American Avalanche Association (‘The A3’) and Dom Baker is back to chat with Joe Obad from the Canadian Avalanche Association (‘CAA’)Our avalanche associations are the web that holds us all together. If you are a current or aspiring professional, or a member of the avalanche community, please consider supporting with a donation or becoming a member at:A3 Membership: https://www.americanavalancheassociation.org/membership-levelsCAA Membership: https://www.avalancheassociation.ca/page/Member_CategoriesUpdates from the A3 include:A3 Upcoming Events: https://www.americanavalancheassociation.org/eventsA3 Supported Resilience Project & Grants Women’s Avalanche Network - Webinar Dec 3rd, to register for the Substack channel for updates visit here: https://womensavalanchenetwork.substack.com/Welcoming new A3 staff and board membersAdvocacy and partnership efforts between the A3 and public backcountry avalanche centers to garner support in the face of budget cutsRecreation education restructuringPRO 2 industry assessment results and changes Updates from the CAA include: New president, Wren McElroyContinuing Professional Development (CPD) Opportunities: https://www.avalancheassociation.ca/page/CPD_OpportunitiesSpring Conference May 6th-8th in Penticton, BC Highlights on the CAA Industry Training Program (ITP) Developments with the InfoEx CAA is on socials - Instagram & Facebook to stay up to dateThanks to the sponsors of the show.Legacy Sponsors:Darren Johnson Avalanche Education Memorial FundAVSSDrone AmplifiedPartner Sponsors:CIL AvalancheSafebackonX BackcountryMusic: KetsaArtwork: Mike Tea Production: Caleb Merrill, Bob Keating 

In Episode 10.4, Kim Vinet sits down with Johanna Wagstaffe for a conversation about the weather! Tune in for a great episode as two friends get together to talk about weather forecasting and assessing risk in the mountains. Kim and Johanna attended university together and studied earth and atmospheric sciences. Johanna went on to work for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) as an on-air weather personality. Johanna is an expert science communicator and gives tips on using storytelling to unravel complex weather information to the public. There’s something for everyone in this episode as they unpack technical terms in easy-to-understand language and even hint at what climate change means for the future of avalanche forecasting.Johanna is a meteorologist, seismologist and science reporter for CBC News. With a background in seismology and earth science, she has covered national and international weather stories, including major earthquakes, hurricanes and wildfires. She has also hosted several award-winning CBC science podcasts and is now working on climate and science explainer videos for the CBC. Johanna is a master of explainer video. Check out her YouTube playlist describing everything from the jet stream, to snowpack and trees or how the weather is changing with a changing climate. Planet Wonder is a series about discovering nature and hopefully inspiring people to want to protect it. Her newest project Here's Why, describes the latest in global weather events on a changing planet.Highlights of the interview: Communicating risk, uncertainty and the challenges of translating technical information to diverse audiencesHow Johanna works with the news team and Avalanche Canada to deliver special weather warnings to the publicRapid fire weather terminologyWhat to expect from the snowpack as the climate changesThanks to the sponsors of the show.Legacy Sponsors:Darren Johnson Avalanche Education Memorial FundAVSSDrone AmplifiedPartner Sponsors:CIL AvalancheSafebackonX BackcountryEpisode Sponsor:Arva Equipment Music: KetsaArtwork: Mike Tea Production: Caleb Merrill, Bob Keating

In the second installment of our monthly Slabs & Sluff series, hosts Sara Boilen and Dom Baker dig into some particularly striking nuggets from this past month’s episodes and look forward to the season ahead. Slabs and Sluffs is a monthly round up of all things related to The Avalanche Hour podcast and our community more broadly. October is the month of getting ready for the winter season.  Join Sara and Dom as they dig into some of the gems from October’s episodes and talk about getting mind and body ready for the upcoming winter season.Some highlights from the conversation:Normalization of Deviance - risk normalization and how it affects decision making.Possible and Probably - how words hold (or don’t hold) well-defined meaning.   October episode recap and highlighting of upcoming episodes for November.Physical preparation tips from Physio Lori Anne Donald of @mountainsportsclinicResources & links mentioned in the episode: Lori Anne suggested exercise, single leg pallof press on YouTube Skeena Cat Skiing & Boarding AIARE 2 + Avalanche Rescue Trip When Doing Wrong Feels So Right: Normalization of DevianceCall us to be featured on the next Slabs n’ Sluff Episode!What are you doing to prepare for the season ahead? Are you attending SAWs, are you digging out your avalanche gear and practicing? What apps are you using? What long-range forecasts are you believing… We’d love to hear from you, our community, for Slabs and Sluffs 3 dropping Oct 29.   Voicemail hotline:  1-541-406-0221Thanks to the sponsors of the show.Legacy Sponsors:Darren Johnson Avalanche Education Memorial FundAVSSDrone AmplifiedPartner Sponsors:CIL AvalancheSafebackonX BackcountryMusic: KetsaArtwork: Mike Tea Production: Caleb Merrill, Bob Keating

In Episode 10.3, Jake Hutchinson sits down with Tom Kimbrough to bring us our first Bio of a Legend this season. Roshi is the Japanese word for “zen master” or “old master.” For a generation or two of Wasatch avalanche hunters, Tom is both the old master and the zen master. His holistic approach to assessing risk in snow covered mountains is a culmination of a life as a curious avalanche hunter, public forecaster, climbing ranger and avalanche educator.Tom’s career spans work on the Alpine Meadows and Alta Ski Patrols, a Jenny Lake Climbing Ranger, forecaster at the Utah Avalanche Center and instructor for the American Avalanche Institute. One of the first things Kimbrough learned about climbing was that climbers tended to be skiers in the winter. After a season on the lift crew at Badger Pass in Yosemite he graduated to the ski patrol. Soon he was patrolling at Alpine Meadows in Tahoe. Alta was next on his list and in 1987 he began working for the Utah Avalanche Center. He finished his avalanche career with Rod Newcomb’s American Avalanche Institute.In this episode, Jake and Tom talk about:The 1982 Alpine Meadows Avalanche AccidentHumility in the mountainsZen and the art of avalanche forecastingA note from Jake: “More than once we mention Rod Newcomb in this episode. Between sitting down with Tom and the release of this episode, we lost Rod at the ripe old age of 91.  Rod was a friend, mentor and pioneer in our industry.  He shaped avalanche education in the US and was the first to see the need for pro specific education.  His influence on Tom, myself and so many others cannot be overstated.  A long life fully lived, thanks for everything Rod.”Thanks to the sponsors of the show.Legacy Sponsors:Darren Johnson Avalanche Education Memorial FundAVSSDrone AmplifiedPartner Sponsors:CIL AvalancheSafebackonX BackcountryEpisode Sponsor:Avalanche Risk SolutionsMusic: KetsaArtwork: Mike Tea Production: Caleb Merrill, Bob Keating 

Bruce Jamieson’s interview with Scott Thumlert revolves around Scott’s career in avalanche research, guiding, as well as planning and engineering. Scott recounts anecdotes during his graduate studies of the stress in the snowpack under skiers and snowmobiles, and implications for tests like the extended column test. He discusses a more recent interest in improving the communication of avalanche likelihood and identifies some challenges in developing a new rating system. One of the challenges is validating the frequency of human-triggered avalanches. Specifically, when human-triggered avalanches are more likely, avalanche practitioners and winter recreationists avoid more avalanche terrain, so the number of avalanches available for validating may not increase as predicted. Scott also outlines the potential role of artificial intelligence in improving avalanche forecasting, but feels manual field work will continue to be needed. With colleagues, Scott is working on hazard mapping projects and related research into the effect of forest fires on extreme avalanche runout and hazard mapping for residential areas. As the chair of the technical committee for the 2026 International Snow Science Workshop, Scott outlines a new strategy – developed by the conference organizers - for merging theory and practice and how they plan to get more practitioners presenting case studies and applied research.  Key InsightsScott’s graduate research focused on measuring the stress in the snowpack exerted by skiers and snowmobiles, highlighting the relationship between stress levels and triggering of slab avalanches.Effective communication of avalanche likelihood remains a challenge, with more ratings needed for lower levels of avalanche likelihood. While there is promise for improved validation of likelihood ratings, human triggering – which is very important – will remain more difficult than validating the frequency (and likelihood) of natural avalanches. Artificial intelligence has the potential to enhance avalanche forecasting by improving data analysis, but Scott feels avalanche practitioners will still be required to verify the forecast. The International Snow Science Workshop aims to merge theory and practice, encouraging practitioners to share real-world case studies and applied research.Links to papers and resources mentioned in the interview:Assessing and communicating likelihood and probability of snow avalanches. Scott Thumlert, Martin Stefan, Stian Langeland. International Snow Science Workshop 2024. Norway.The likelihood scale in avalanche forecasting, Scott Thumlert, Grant Statham, Bruce Jamieson. The Avalanche Journal 122 (fall 2020)Post-wildfire Analysis of Avalanche Hazard. Cam Campbell, Brian Gould and Scott Thumlert. The Avalanche Journal. Can We Derive an Avalanche Terrain Severity Rating from Observed Terrain Selection of Professional Guides? A Proof-Of-Concept Study. Scott Thumlert and Pascal Haegeli. 2016 International Snow Science Workshop in Breckenridge, Colorado.Terrain selection tactics in helicopter skiing – Managing avalanche risk during the 2022-23 deep slab season. Scott Thumlert, Craig McGee, Carl Trescher. 2023 International Snow Science Workshop, Bend, Oregon.How do you stress the snowpack, Scott Thumlert. 2012 International Snow Science Workshop, Anchorage, Alaska.How do you stress the snowpack (12 minute video)Measuring the snowpack stressunder a falling skier (11 s video) Legacy Level: Darren Johnson Avalanche Education Memorial FundAVSSDrone Amplified's MontisPartner Level: CIL AvalancheSafebackEpisode Sponsor: Propagation LabsMusic: KetsaArt: Mike TeaProduction: Bob Keating, Caleb Merrill PeakVisor Code

In the first episode of Season 10, Dom Baker sits down with Kirk Mauthner. Kirk shares his journey from a childhood in the Columbia Valley to becoming an accomplished mountain guide and rescue expert. He discusses the influences that shaped his passion for mountaineering, the challenges he faced in his career, and the importance of safety and communication in rescue operations. Kirk also reflects on his innovative contributions to rescue equipment and shares memorable adventures in remote locations, including the Wall of Walls project with Will Gadd. Throughout the conversation, he emphasizes the significance of learning from experiences and the joy of exploring the mountains.Kirk grew up in the mountains and learned about risk and consequence at a young age, under the tutelage of his neighbour, the legendary Arnor Larson.A lifetime spent working with SAR groups on technical rope and mountain rescue, combined with a design sense and engineering background, led Kirk to develop many of the tools and techniques used in rope rescue today.  Kirk shares lessons learned during a career guiding and adventuring in far-flung places.Stay tuned to the end of the interview for Kirk's thoughts on lightweight rope kits for ski mountaineering and crevasse rescue!Thanks to the sponsors of the show: Legacy Level Sponsors: Darren Johnson Avalanche Education Memorial FundAVSSDrone AmplifiedPartner Level Sponsors: CIL AvalancheSafeback onX Backcountry Episode Sponsor: Peak Visor 50% off CodeMusic: KetsaArtwork: Mike TeaProduction: Bob Keating

Tune in to hear what we have in store for Season 10 of The Avalanche Hour Podcast . This podcast is made possible through industry support: Thank you to the Darren Johnson Avalanche Education Memorial Fund, AVSS, Drone Amplified, CIL Avalanche, Safeback, and onX Backcountry.

The story goes that a young Lynne Wolfe persuaded Blase Reardon to get involved as The Avalanche Review's Assistant Editor many years ago. Lynne would go on to be the Editor of TAR for decades to come, bringing the publication and our community forward towards professional collaboration. In this episode, Brooke Maushund chats with Lynne as she celebrates publishing her final issue as TAR Editor and gets ready to pass the baton. In addition to being a longtime avalanche educator and Exum guide, Lynne is a charismatic connector in our industry: bringing people, ideas, and curiosities together. With the job listing up at the time of this recording, we dive into Lynne’s time working behind the scenes on A3’s flagship publication. From changes to the nuts and bolts behind TAR, to lessons learned along the way, Lynne gives us an inside scoop on what it’s been like to put out a staple that can be found on every snow pro’s desk, coffee table, or…yes, even on the back of their toilets. As the search for the new TAR Editor continues, she tells us what she’d like that person to know: “Stand on my shoulders—I’ll help.” If you want to hear more about Lynne’s illustrious career in addition to her work on The Avalanche Review, go back to Season 2, Episode 11 of the podcast when Lynne came on the show for the first time.Resources & Links Mentioned: The Avalanche Review (TAR) Informational Webpage: Digital The Avalanche Review The Ascending Spiral by Ed LaChapelleSubscribe to TAR by Becoming an A3 Member • The Avalanche Hour Podcast 2.11: Lynne Wolfe • Seeking Impeccability with Lynne Wolfe: Episode of The High Route Podcast Crew: • Host: Brooke Maushund (@brookemaush) • Guest: (The one and only) Lynne Wolfe  • Producer: Caleb Merrill (@theavalanchehourpodcast)Sponsors:Wyssen Avalanche Control • Gordini • PeakVisor (click here for a discount!) • OpenSnow🎶 Music by Ketsa: See Us, Sun Cometh

🎧 Episode Summary:Spring is here, and with the avy-ed season wrapped up in Colorado, Jason sits down with renowned mountain guide and educator Mark Smiley to talk about his journey from the Midwest to the highest peaks, and his efforts to reshape mountain education.Mark shares how his early experiences with Boy Scouts and road trips planted the seed for a lifetime of mountain exploration, and how a lack of mentorship early on drove him to build Mountain Sense—a platform designed to break down the barriers to learning essential mountain skills.Together, they dive into:Mark’s path to becoming an IFMGA guide (including passing his ski exam before ever being paid to guide on skis!)Why he created Mountain Sense and what it means to “become the partner you seek”The cultural differences between ski touring and climbing communities around risk and educationHow online learning can supplement in-person avalanche educationHuman factors, mentorship, and building trust in backcountry teamsWhy storytelling, humor, and real-life experience matter more than PowerPoint slidesMark also shares a recent near-miss avalanche incident in Canada and reflects on the decision-making traps that even seasoned professionals encounter.Learn more about Mark’s courses at Mountain SenseFollow Mark Smiley on Instagram: @smileysprojectReady to become the partner you seek? Visit Mountain Sense to explore online masterclasses on avalanche safety, ski mountaineering, crevasse rescue, alpine climbing, and more.Host - Jason Antin @alpenglowmountainguidesProducer- Caleb merrill Sponsors for this episode:Wyssen Gordini OpenSnow PeakVisor (discount in link)

In this knowledge-packed episode, Brooke Maushund sits down with Janet Kellam, who received the American Avalanche Association Bernie Kingery Award for lifetime achievement at ISSW in 2023 after serving as the former Director of the Sawtooth Avalanche Center, President of the American Avalanche Association's board, and being involved in the early days of the USFS National Avalanche Center. She was also the first woman licensed ski guide in Idaho, the first woman president of A3, and the first woman director of an avalanche center.Janet doesn’t just have decades of experience—she gained expertise in niche corners of the snow industry across the globe. From work as a winter specialist on a 1990 documentary film sailing to and spending 6 weeks skiing on the rarely visited Antarctica peninsula, to being a licensed backcountry and heli ski guide, Janet didn’t leave much idle time in her career. In this episode, Janet shares nuggets of knowledge from her more than 36 year career in the avalanche industry, her remaining curiosities about avalanche mechanics, where she sees the industry going next…but most importantly, she tells us how she kept her sense of wonder about the snow over the years: always, always taking care of others. Resources & Links Mentioned: • ISSW 2012 Paper: The Urban Avalanche Interface and Community Impacts a Case Study: Ketchum, Sun Valley & the Wood River Valley, Idaho • Avalanche Education for All, High Country News Article• USFS National Avalanche Center • National Avalanche School • Sawtooth Avalanche Center • American Avalanche Association Resilience Project • Responder AllianceCrew: • Host: Brooke Maushund (@brookemaush) • Guest: Janet Kellam  • Producer: Caleb Merrill (@theavalanchehourpodcast)Sponsors:Wyssen Avalanche Control GordiniOpenSnowPeakVisor🎶 Music by Ketsa: Get Me Out, Snowing in Spring, Reach the End

In this episode, Dom Baker sits down with the legendary mountain athlete Will Gadd, a pioneering ice climber, paddler and paraglider.  Will has established some of the hardest mixed ice climbing lines in the world, set the world distance record for paragliding, and then beaten it, kayaked down dozens of first descents across North America, not to mention soloed the first one- day ascent of Canada’s Mt.Robson.  Will has rigorously prepared for and completed high complexity adventures all over the world and in the process has developed a thoughtful perspective on risk, writing and talking about risk for years, including in a 2016 Ted Talk.  In this episode Will discusses his perspectives on exposure, consequence and how the public avalanche bulletin might not quite apply to ice climbing routes. Resources, Books & Links Mentioned:www.willgadd.com Tedx Talk VideoDunning-Kruger effectImpossible Dreams: Remote paragliding and climbing in Canada!Todd Conklin “The 5 Principles of Human Performance”Daniel Kahneman “Noise: A Flaw in Human Judgment”Amy Edmondson “ Emotional Intelligence: Psychological Safety”Annie Duke “Thinking in Bets: Making Smarter Decisions When You Don’t Have All The Facts”Crew: • Host: Dom Baker (@dom_baken)  • Guest: Will Gadd (@realwillgadd)  • Producer: Caleb Merrill (@theavalanchehourpodcast)Sponsors: • Wyssen Avalanche Control  • Gordini • OpenSnow • Peak Visor ***Special Offer***🎶 Music by Gravy @gravy.tunes 

European Hosts Matthias Walcher and Christoph Mitterer bring you a conversation with Fabiano Monti. Fabi is an Avalanche Forecaster, Ski Instructor, and Environmental Scientist based in Livigno, Italy. He holds a Master's degree and a Ph.D. in Environmental Science from the University of Insubria, with specialized research conducted at the WSL Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research (SLF) in Switzerland. His doctoral research focused on modeling snowpack stability for avalanche forecasting.In 2013, Fabiano founded Alpsolut Srl, an innovative company dedicated to providing scientific solutions for managing snow-related risks. Under his leadership, Alpsolut has developed operational snow cover simulations using the SNOWPACK model, widely adopted by European avalanche centers for regional and site-specific forecasting.Fabiano has extensive international experience, having participated in two Italian Antarctic expeditions (2012, 2015-2016), and collaborates with various agencies across Europe, including ARPA Lombardia, ÖBB Infrastruktur AG, and Lawinenwarndienst Tirol. His expertise spans avalanche hazard mapping, remote sensing with satellite imagery, environmental data analysis, and machine learning applications to snow and avalanche risk management.Currently, Fabiano serves as the lead avalanche forecaster for the Municipality of Livigno, managing risk assessments for both recreational backcountry activities and managed ski areas. He is passionate about advancing avalanche safety through research, education, and the integration of cutting-edge technologies. Resources & Links Mentioned:https://www.alpsolut.eu/ https://www.instagram.com/alpsolut.eu/Crew: • Host: Matthias Walcher/Christoph Mitterer • Guest: Fabiano Monti • Producer: Caleb Merrill (@theavalanchehourpodcast)Sponsors: • ⁠Wyssen Avalanche Control ⁠ • ⁠Gordini⁠ • ⁠OpenSnow ⁠ • ⁠IPA Collective🎶 Music by Gravy. Mid Roll Ad Music by Ketsa.Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/alpsolut.eu/Websitehttps://www.alpsolut.eu/ 

Episode Overview:In this compelling episode, Brooke sits down with Nina Marienthal, Lead Guide at Beartooth Powder Guides (BPG)  in Cooke City, Montana, where she landed after starting her career heli-guiding in Alaska. After growing up the daughter of a heli-ski guide and ski instructor—doing her homework at the helibase every spring in Alaska while her parents were out in the snow—it only makes sense that Nina went on to become one of the youngest people to be an AMGA Certified Ski Guide. Currently the lead guide at BPG and an Educator at the American Avalanche Institute, Nina dives into her beginnings working her way up from being an apprentice at Black Ops Valdez in Alaska, to her draw to pursue more human-powered guiding as she progressed in her career and desires for her work. Nina shares unique perspectives on the pace of mechanized vs. human-powered guiding, navigating the industry as a woman, and most importantly how the ascending spiral of mentorship develops over time. Resources & Links Mentioned: • Beartooth Powder Guides • Black Ops Valdez • Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center • Eastern Oregon University Motorized User Survey • AIARE Transceiver Terminology Survey • Boilen/McCammon Human Factor 2.0 Initial Survey: Crew: • Host: Brooke Maushund  • Guest: Nina Marienthal (@nina_marienthal)  • Producer: Caleb Merrill (@theavalanchehourpodcast)Sponsors: • Wyssen Avalanche Control  • Gordini • OpenSnow • Arva Equipment🎶 Music by Ketsa: My Sunny Lounge, Sandstone

Therapy for the Soul: A Beginner’s Toolbox into Navigating Grief, Trauma, and LossGuest:Jenny Fiebig – Licensed Professional Counselor, IFS Trainer, Outdoor Trauma SpecialistHost:Brooke “Shiny” EdwardsRecording Date:December 4th, 2024Episode Summary:In this deeply insightful episode of The Avalanche Hour Podcast, host Brooke “Shiny” Edwards sits down with Jenny Fiebig, a licensed professional counselor specializing in trauma related to outdoor accidents. Jenny shares her journey from outdoor educator and guide to becoming a trauma therapist, blending her love for the wilderness with mental health counseling.They explore how trauma impacts the nervous system, how to process grief and loss in outdoor communities, and how professionals and recreationalists alike can navigate their emotions without suppressing them. Jenny also walks Brooke through real-time nervous system regulation techniques, providing valuable tools for listeners struggling with anxiety or fear in the mountains.This episode serves as both an educational experience and an intimate exploration of Internal Family Systems (IFS)therapy, trauma recovery, and the power of self-compassion in high-risk environments.Key Discussion Points:• How outdoor trauma manifests in the nervous system• Understanding the IFS (Internal Family Systems) therapy model• The “warrior mentality” in outdoor culture and why it can be harmful• Differentiating healthy vs. destructive coping mechanisms after accidents or loss• Tools for navigating fear, grief, and trauma in the backcountry• The stress continuum and recognizing the warning signs of mental health struggles• The work of SOAR (Survivors of Outdoor Adventures in Recovery) in helping trauma survivors healGuest Bio & Background:Jenny Fiebig is a licensed professional counselor in Montana and Colorado, specializing in trauma therapy for outdoor-related accidents. She has a background in outdoor education and guiding, which informs her work in helping individuals heal from experiences of loss, grief, and PTSD related to the backcountry.Jenny pursued a graduate degree in mental health counseling at Montana State University and became a specialist in IFS therapy, now working as a global trainer with the IFS Institute. She is also deeply involved in SOAR (Survivors of Outdoor Adventures in Recovery), where she helps provide therapy, community, and resources for those struggling with outdoor-related trauma.Links & Resources Mentioned:• SOAR (Survivors of Outdoor Adventures in Recovery): https://www.soar4life.org/• Responder Alliance Stress Continuum: https://www.responderalliance.com/stress-continuum• Redside Foundation: https://www.redsidefoundation.org/• IFS Institute: https://ifs-institute.com/• Jenny Fiebig’s Website: https://www.jennyfiebig.com/• Eduardo Duran – Healing the Soul WoundSponsor & Partner Mentions:Presented by:• Wyssen Avalanche Control – www.wyssen.comAdditional sustaining support from:• Gordini – www.gordini.com• OpenSnow – www.opensnow.com• Compare 10-day snow forecasts, read expert analysis, and track storms• Use promo code AVALANCHE50 for 50% off OpenSnow Premium: www.opensnow.com/buy• RAIDE Research – www.raideresearch.com• Use code AVHOUR for 10% off your orderMusic Credits:• Intro Music: Believing – Ketsa• Outro Music: Touching Moments (Remastered) – KetsaWhere to Listen & Subscribe:• Website: The Avalanche Hour Podcast• Spotify: The Avalanche Hour on Spotify• Apple Podcasts: The Avalanche Hour on Apple PodcastsProducer Credits:• Caleb Merrill• Cameron Griffin

In this episode, Sara Boilen interviews Andrea Manberg. Andrea is an economist and researcher who spends her time thinking about human behavior, decision-making, and risk in avalanche terrain. Having survived a pretty brutal avalanche herself, Andrea is passionate about understanding what motivates us toward risk and how we position ourselves to enjoy our pursuits while staying as safe as we want to. She presented at ISSW on her paper, Is it a man’s world? Gendered professional experiences in snow and avalanche safety and came on the podcast to talk to Sara about the reality faced by males, females, and non binary folks in an industry long-dominated by men. The conversation delves into various topics including what makes a good snow and avalanche professional, mentorship, and menstruation. Join us as we deconstruct the myth that it is, and needs to be, a man’s world. Website for CARE (where Andrea Works): https://en.uit.no/ansatte/andrea.mannberg There, you can find out more about Andrea and what the good folks at CARE are doing as well as links to Andrea’s publications. If you’d like to watch more of Andrea, here’s a link to a great talk she gave back in 2017 with the Sawtooth Avalanche Center: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C7xSutCesLQRead the research by Andrea and her colleagues, as presented at ISSW Tromso here: https://arc.lib.montana.edu/snow-science/objects/ISSW2024_O11.6.pdfSupport for this Episode is provided by: Wyssen Avalanche Control Gordini OpenSnowPropagation Labs

In this episode, Caleb sits down with Dr. Christopher Van Tilburg of Hood River, Oregon. Van Tilburg is an American physician and author specializing in emergency, wilderness, travel, environmental, occupational, and public health medicine. He is author of 11 books on outdoor recreation, wilderness medicine, and international travel, including three memoirs on mountain rescue, including Crisis on Mount Hood: Stories from 100 years of Mountain Rescue, forthcoming May 2025Van Tilburg is on staff at Providence Hood River Memorial Hospital in Hood River, Oregon, USA where he works at Occupational and Travel Medicine, in the Emergency Department, and at the Providence Mountain Clinic at Mount Hood Meadows Ski Resort. In addition, he works as a physician on expeditions around the world, on cruise ships, on humanitarian medical relief programs, and as an expert witness on wilderness medicine. He is also a mountain rescue doctor with Hood River Crag Rats, the oldest mountain rescue team in the United States, established in 1926 in Hood River, Oregon, USA. He is medical director for four search and rescue teams: Hood River Crag Rats, Pacific Northwest SAR, Clackamas County SAR and Portland Mountain Rescue. He serves as Public Health Officer in Oregon for Hood River County. He serves as Medical Examiner for Hood River, Gilliam, Sherman, Wasco, and Wheeler Counties in Oregon. Dr. Van Tilburg has been honored three times by the Wilderness Medical Society. He received Dian Simpkins Award for Service, the Haiti Humanitarian Research Award, and the Ice Axe Award for Service. His book ''Mountain Rescue Doctor: Wilderness Medicine in the Extremes of Nature'' was shortlisted for Banff Festival of Mountain Books and Oregon Book Awards in 2007 and was Readers Digest Editor’s Pick for November 2007. His book ''Adrenaline Junkie’s Bucket List: 100 Extreme Adventures to Do Before You Die'' received the Far West Ski Association Bill Berry Award for outstanding printed media in 2014Van Tilburg was the lead author for ''Wilderness Medical Society Practice Guidelines for Prevention and Management of Avalanche and Nonavalanche Snow Burial Accidents,'' a multinational effort published in 2017 and updated in 2024.We discuss some of the salient points of CVT's research, lessons delivered through many SAR calls, and current best practices for avalanche victim post-extrication care. We hope you enjoy. Music: KetsaArtwork: Mike TeaLinks to more of Van Tilburg's work

Sean Zimmerman-Wall steps in front of the mic to bring you another great interview with Rebecca “Becs” Hodgetts. Becs began ski patrolling in the mid-1990s on Mt Ruapehu, a volcano in the central plateau of New Zealand’s North Island. She went on to work at other resorts in New Zealand, Canada, and the US. She worked 12 years at Arapahoe Basin in Colorado, first as an avalanche technician and later as Assistant Ski Patrol Director. She joined the Colorado Avalanche Information Center in 2013 and worked first as a Backcountry, then as a Highway Forecaster, and finally as a Regional Lead Forecaster for southern Colorado. In July 2024, she took a new role with the US Forest Service's National Avalanche Center (NAC). In this role, she will support the NAC's mission to improve backcountry and ski area safety by reducing avalanche risk on and around National Forests. This mission includes training and transferring information and technology to the field, managing the Artillery for Avalanche Mitigation Program, and coordinating US avalanche centers through the National Avalanche Forecast Platform.Show Notes:March 2019 Historic Avalanche Cycle Video produced by CAIC https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BlkH-MnzddcInterview with CAIC Director Ethan Greene produced by The Powder Cloudhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YolFA80sP5YNational Avalanche Center and Avalanche.orghttps://avalanche.org/national-avalanche-center/The Starting Zone by Karl Birkelandhttps://support.friendsofcaic.org/products/the-starting-zone-at-the-interface-between-avalanche-science-and-practice?srsltid=AfmBOopaIynaGIjcEwbEhudjbTuCHTWlsHXgIFQf26ne3tfbgcABdFj-Thanks to the sponsors of this episode: Wyssen Avalanche ControlGordini USAOpenSnowIPA CollectiveMusic by Age DiamanteArt by Mike Tea

Ian McCammon, often considered the godfather of human factors in avalanche education, has a unique background with a foot in scientific research and another in backcountry exploration. With formal training in physics, materials science, and engineering, Ian started in R&D before becoming deeply involved in avalanche education in the 1990s. Following the loss of his friend Steve Carruthers in an avalanche, he was driven to study how experienced individuals make fatal decisions despite knowing better. His work has since shaped modern avalanche education and risk management strategies.Ian developed the FACETS acronym:Familiarity: We feel safer in places we've been before, even when conditions change.Acceptance: The desire to fit in can push individuals to take unnecessary risks.Commitment/Consistency: The drive to follow through on a plan despite new information.Expert Halo: Over-reliance on an individual perceived as an expert.Tracks/Scarcity: The fear of missing out on first tracks can cloud judgment.Social Proof: Seeing others on a slope can create a false sense of security.His research suggests that merely teaching these factors isn’t enough to change behavior—awareness must be coupled with tools for self-evaluation.PDFs help individuals identify their personal biases and recurring decision-making flaws. By reflecting on past experiences and recognizing patterns in our own choices, we can slow down and make more objective decisions in the field.Ian also created ALPTRUTh, an easy-to-remember checklist that has been proven effective in evaluating avalanche risk. More than 90% of avalanche accidents occur when three or more of these factors are present:A: Avalanches in the past 48 hours.L: Recent loading from snow, wind, or rain.P: Obvious avalanche path present.T: Terrain trap below.R: Avalanche danger rating of "considerable" or higher.U: Signs of unstable snow (cracking, collapsing, whoomping).TH: Thawing or rapid warming conditions.McCammon introduced the Stability Wheel, a simplified model explaining the three conditions necessary for an avalanche:Strength: The ability of the snowpack to resist force.Structure: Weak layers and slab formations.Energy Release: The capacity for a fracture to propagate.Ian explains how propagation propensity, friction, and fracture toughness are now being studied in more depth to improve predictive tools like the Extended Column Test (ECT) and Propagation Saw Test (PST).One of Ian’s strongest messages in the episode is the importance of margins—the space we create between ourselves and dangerous terrain to account for uncertainty. He emphasizes that uncertainty is often underestimated and that decision-makers must continually assess whether they are acting on knowledge or assumptions.Ian discusses a study that found significant human and device error in slope angle measurements, with a margin of error between 3-6 degrees. This has implications for decision-making, especially when relying on digital elevation models and inclinometer apps.Ian highlights the need for new research in decision-making tools, material-based snowpack models, and practical field applications of computational advancements. He also discusses the role of technology in avalanche education, including digital versions of his Snow & Avalanche Fieldbook and new methods for risk communication.“Every time you get on a slope, you have to look at it as if you're seeing it for the first time.” – Ian McCammonFACETS and Human Factors in Avalanche AccidentsALPTRUTh: Evaluating Risk Factors in Avalanche AccidentsStability Wheel and Snowpack Fracture MechanicsDecision-Making in Avalanche Terrain: Cognitive BiasesSnow & Avalanche Fieldbook (White Book)• Host: Jake Hutchinson• Guest: Ian McCammon• Producer: Cameron Griffin• Wyssen:www.wyssen.com• OpenSnow:www.opensnow.com• Gordini:www.gordini.com• Arva:https://us.arva-equipment.com/Music by Ketsa• Campfire

Jen Reddy is a total low-key badass who sat down with Caleb for a great conversation about her work with Teton County Search and Rescue and the American Avalanche Association. Jen is tasked with overseeing the guidance of the professional training program amongst participating providers within the US. Jen and Caleb talk about her early years of backcountry skiing, a close call, and some influences that urged her to get involved as a volunteer with Teton County Search and Rescue. They discuss some of her work at A3 and what has been going on behind the scenes to elevate the level of professional training in the US. Tune in to hear more.Music: KetsaArt: Mike TeaListener SurveyResources:A3 Pro Training ProgramICAR 2024 CongressTeton County Search and Rescue

Episode Overview In this second part of their conversation, Chris Stethem and Grant Statham dig deeper into the evolving world of avalanche safety, focusing on how decision-making frameworks and advanced communication practices have reshaped the industry. They begin by exploring the development of InfoEx, reflecting on how the system has grown over time and identifying areas for potential improvement. This discussion naturally segues into Chris’s early days as an avalanche consultant, laying the groundwork for the professionalization of avalanche research and the formation of new training programs. As the episode progresses, Chris and Grant share insights on how the CAA Level 3 Course came into being, noting the considerable skill set and qualifications now required to enroll in higher-level avalanche education. They highlight the rising standards for certification in various avalanche-related jobs, emphasizing how worker safety has driven regulatory changes and communication strategies designed to put people in safer positions on the mountain. Bringing their vast experience to bear, Chris and Grant examine spatial variability in different types of terrain, describing how certain slopes may foster specific avalanche problems. They delve into the tension between scientific assessments, practical experience, and the uncertainties that can influence life-and-death decisions in avalanche terrain. Their stories illustrate how collaboration, mentorship, and continually evolving best practices have shaped modern avalanche safety and will continue to do so. Key Topics Covered • InfoEx Evolution – The origins, growth, and potential improvements of this critical data-sharing tool • Early Avalanche Consultancy – How initial consulting efforts opened doors for professional research • Birth of the CAA Level 3 Course – The skill set, accomplishments, and certification pathways crucial for advanced avalanche work • Raising the Bar for Worker Safety – How advocacy, regulation, and improved communication led to better safety policies • Spatial Variability & Avalanche Types – Linking different slopes to specific avalanche risks and managing uncertainty in dynamic conditions Crew • Host: Dom Baker • Guests: Chris Stethem and Grant Statham • Producer: Cameron Griffin Sponsors • Wyssen: www.wyssen.com • OpenSnow: www.opensnow.com • Gordini: www.gordini.com • Raide Reaserch: www.raideresearch.com Music by Gravy • Lost My Voice

Episode Overview In this first part of a two-episode series, The Avalanche Hour Podcast features an in-depth conversation with avalanche industry legends Chris Stethem and Grant Statham. These two have dedicated their lives to advancing avalanche safety, education, and research, and their collective impact has shaped how we think about risk management in snow-covered terrain. The episode begins with the Granduc Mine Avalanche incident in Canada, a pivotal event that underscored the critical need for better risk assessment and communication systems. From there, Chris and Grant explore the origins of avalanche safety practices during the early “cowboy” days, where trial and error led to life-saving lessons. Listeners will also hear about: • Defining avalanche scales and aspects to improve communication and ensure messages reach diverse audiences effectively. • The snowpack evolution of the 1976-77 winter, where facets became prominent, and the impacts of climate change began to show. • A terrifying near-miss at a FIS ski race, where an avalanche ran into coaches, illustrating the gaps in early avalanche response planning. • The development and introduction of avalanche beacons, from professional use to their eventual adoption by recreational users. • Spatial planning for avalanche paths, with lessons drawn from Utah’s structural defenses and how they informed better land-use decisions. Chris and Grant also reflect on how communication methods have evolved over time, emphasizing the importance of tailoring messages to the audience—whether professionals or recreational backcountry travelers—to ensure safety in avalanche terrain. This episode sets the stage for an enlightening second part, where they’ll dive deeper into modern advancements, risk management techniques, and more. Resources & Links Mentioned • Wyssen Avalanche Control • OpenSnow • Gordini • Raide Research Crew • Host: Dom Baker • Guests: Chris Stethem & Grant Statham • Producer: Cameron Griffin Sponsors • Wyssen Avalanche Control • OpenSnow • Gordini • Raide Research Music by Gravy • Song: Lost My Voice

Episode Overview In this engaging episode, host Jason Antin dives into a captivating conversation with Liz King, a renowned leader in avalanche education and mountain safety. Liz shares her unique journey from her unexpected beginnings in Houston, Texas, to becoming a key figure in the avalanche education world. As the Avalanche Program Director for both the American Avalanche Institute (AAI) and the Colorado Mountain School (CMS), Liz oversees comprehensive avalanche programming, from recreational courses to professional certifications. Liz’s story begins with a love for the mountains that led her to the University of Montana, where she first discovered her passion for the outdoors. Her career started with horse packing at NOLS, transitioned to ski patrolling, and grew into a prominent role as an avalanche educator and guide. Liz reflects on her path, discussing the evolving landscape of avalanche education, the challenges of managing large-scale programs, and the importance of mentorship in outdoor leadership. This episode offers deep insights into Liz’s professional evolution, her perspective on student engagement, and the advancements in avalanche safety technology. Jason and Liz discuss the shifting demographics of avalanche education students, the balance between recreational and professional training, and Liz’s personal goals as she navigates her leadership roles. The conversation also highlights Liz’s reflections on mentorship, her passion for empowering the backcountry community, and her dedication to maintaining personal connections in the mountains. With humor and authenticity, Liz shares her “personal disaster flags” (PDFs), her thoughts on the role of mentorship in her career, and her excitement for skiing in new mountain ranges every year. Whether you’re a seasoned avalanche educator or new to the backcountry world, this episode is packed with valuable insights, inspiration, and a glimpse into the mind of a true mountain professional. Resources & Links Mentioned • American Avalanche Institute (AAI): www.avalancheinstitute.com • Colorado Mountain School (CMS): www.coloradomountainschool.com • American Avalanche Association (A3): www.avalanche.org • Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center: www.jhavalanche.org Crew • Host: Jason Antin • Guest: Liz King • Producer: Caleb Merrill and Cameron Griffin Sponsors • Wyssen: www.wyssen.com • OpenSnow: www.opensnow.com • Gordini: www.gordini.com • Beacon Guidebooks: www.beaconguidebooks.com  Music by Age Diamante: • Chill Pah

In this compelling episode, Brooke sits down with Josh Hirshberg, a veteran avalanche forecaster and educator with nearly two decades of experience in the snow safety world. Currently forecasting for the Northwest Avalanche Center (NWAC), Josh dives into his journey through the avalanche industry, from early internships in Aspen to forecasting in Washington’s Cascades. Josh shares captivating insights about the notable February 2021 avalanche cycle in Washington, the challenges of persistent weak layers, and the importance of mentorship and collaboration. He also reflects on personal growth, balancing creative pursuits like photography and art, and how grief has shaped his perspective on the mountains and life. Resources & Links Mentioned • Northwest Avalanche Center (NWAC): www.nwac.us Crew • Host: Brooke Maushund • Guest: Josh Hirshberg • Producer: Cameron Griffin (@backcountrycam) Sponsors • Wyssen: www.wyssen.com • Arva: www.arva-equipment.com • OpenSnow: www.opensnow.com • Gordini: www.gordini.com • Safeback: www.safeback.com • Beacon Guidebooks: www.beaconguidebooks.com 🎶 Music by Ketsa: • Yellowish • Snowing in Spring • Anons

In this episode of the Avalanche Hour Podcast, host Dr. Sara Boilen interviews Larry Goldie.  Larry is an IFMGA licensed mountain guide and co-owner/lead guide for North Cascades Mountain Guides.  He has been the snow safety director and heli ski guide for North Cascades Heli since 2005.  Larry works on the AMGA instructor team, and teaches pro and recreational avalanche courses.  Sara and Larry discuss the challenges women face in the guiding and avalanche education fields, the importance of effective communication in guiding, and share personal experiences and lessons delivered in the arena.   Larry emphasizes the need for clear, concise communication and the value of maintaining options in decision-making while navigating the complexities of the backcountry. In this conversation, Larry shares a harrowing personal experience of surviving an avalanche, emphasizing the critical importance of clear communication and the dangers of mitigated speech in high-risk situations. He discusses the psychological factors that lead to downplaying risks and the need for honest assessments of danger in backcountry skiing. The conversation also highlights the value of debriefing to learn from experiences and improve decision-making in uncertain environments. ⁠⁠⁠Fill out our Listener Survey for the chance to win a gift card from Gordini and a pack from Arva! Support for this episode was provided by: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Wyssen Avalanche Control⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Gordini⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠OpenSnow⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: use code avalanche50 for 50% off of your all-access subscription IPA Collective

This episode features an interview with Karin Pocock. Karin Pocock shares her journey in the avalanche industry, discussing her experiences in both Canada and the U.S. She reflects on a pivotal avalanche incident that shaped her career and emphasizes the importance of education and training in avalanche safety. Karin also highlights the unique culture at the Silverton Avalanche School and addresses the challenges of being a female leader in a male-dominated field, advocating for inclusivity and support for future generations. In this conversation, Karin Pocock discusses the importance of hiring based on skill rather than gender, the challenges of navigating confidence and competence in high-risk avalanche work, and the significance of managing stress in demanding environments. She shares her experiences discovering the value of pushing personal limits through bike pack racing, and the necessity of fostering healthy conflict within teams. Additionally, she emphasizes the importance of education in avalanche science and the need for a supportive and empowering workplace culture. ⁠⁠Fill out our Listener Survey for the chance to win a gift card from Gordini and a pack from Arva!⁠ Music: ⁠Ketsa⁠ Art: ⁠Mike Tea⁠ Support for this episode was provided by: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Wyssen Avalanche Control⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Gordini⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠OpenSnow⁠⁠⁠⁠: use code avalanche50 for 50% off of your all-access subscription Arva Equipment: use code AVALANCHEHOUR25 for a discount on your next purchase or canister refill

In this episode of the Avalanche Hour podcast, Caleb speaks with meteorologist Joel Gratz- founder of Open Snow, about the importance of weather forecasting for skiing and how it pertains to avalanche conditions. They unpack how much to weigh El Nino and La Nina on winter weather predictions, and Joel walks us through what goes into a forecast from OpenSnow. Joel shares insights into the features of Open Snow and discusses the intricacies of weather forecasting, particularly in relation to snow prediction. He explains the importance of the five-day window for making accurate forecasts and delves into the development and functionality of various weather models. Gratz highlights the significance of resolution in forecasting accuracy and introduces the role of AI in enhancing predictions. He also emphasizes the value of using multiple models for better accuracy and provides resources for those interested in learning more about weather and forecasting. Resources: Secrets of the Greatest Snow on Earth: Weather, Climate Change, and Finding Deep Powder in Utah's Wasatch Mountains and around the World By Jim Steenburgh ⁠Fill out our Listener Survey for the chance to win a gift card from Gordini and a pack from Arva! Music: Ketsa Art: Mike Tea Support for this episode was provided by: ⁠⁠⁠Wyssen Avalanche Control⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Gordini⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠OpenSnow⁠⁠⁠: use code avalanche50 for 50% off of your all-access subscription

Ken Wylie is a Human Hazard Management innovator, formerly an IFMGA guide, and author of the book Buried.  Ken’s company, Archetypal, provides high-resolution self-awareness tools for people who work in High Potential Consequence (HPC) environments across several industries.  In this conversation, Guest host Brooke Shiny Edwards takes a deeper dive into the heart of Ken Wylie and the vision he has for (HPC) Avalanche Workers and the adventure industry.  We recommend reminding yourself of Ken’s background by re-visiting last year’s episode 8.1 when Caleb has Ken take the audience through the infamous 2003 tragedy of La Traviata.  In this episode, Shiny and Wylie explore more of the insights to be harvested from that tragedy: the archetypes of disaster and safety,  avenues of self-growth that can inform our decision making and how to embrace our shadow and light within, which may indeed be the greatest opportunity yet to embody our highest selves and manage the human factor castle.    So grab a cup of tea, a blanket and snuggle up by the fire for a deep and open hearted philosophical journey that hopefully guides you to integral moments of self-reflection that might help you stay safe this season. Fill out our Listener Survey Music: Ketsa Art: Mike Tea Resources: The Evolving Self: A Psychology for the Third Millennium. Milhaly Csikszentmihalyi Robert Kegan Stages in Adult Development: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhRNMj6UNYY The Evolving Self: Robert Kegan. Human Journey Card Decks Archetypal Open Enrollment Courses Archetypal Workplace Courses Support for this episode was provided by: ⁠⁠Wyssen Avalanche Control⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Gordini⁠⁠ ⁠⁠OpenSnow⁠⁠: use code avalanche50 for 50% off of your all-access subscription ⁠Beacon Guidebooks: use code AVSAR to save 25% off the popular Avalanche Search and Rescue: A Backcountry Field Guide