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The Avalanche Hour Podcast
The Avalanche Hour
216 episodes
6 days ago
Podcast by Caleb Merrill
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Podcast by Caleb Merrill
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Sports
Episodes (20/216)
The Avalanche Hour Podcast
Building on 23 years of TAR with Lynne Wolfe

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 LaChapelle
  • Subscribe 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


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3 weeks ago
1 hour 4 minutes 59 seconds

The Avalanche Hour Podcast
Becoming the Partner You Seek with Mark Smiley

🎧 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 education

  • How online learning can supplement in-person avalanche education

  • Human factors, mentorship, and building trust in backcountry teams

  • Why storytelling, humor, and real-life experience matter more than PowerPoint slides

Mark 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 Sense

  • Follow Mark Smiley on Instagram: @smileysproject



Ready 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 @alpenglowmountainguides
    • Producer- Caleb merrill

  • Sponsors for this episode:

    • Wyssen

    • Gordini

    • OpenSnow

    • PeakVisor (discount in link)





    Show more...
    1 month ago
    1 hour 26 minutes 48 seconds

    The Avalanche Hour Podcast
    Keeping your sense of wonder about the snow with Janet Kellam

    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 Alliance


    Crew:

    • Host: Brooke Maushund (@brookemaush)

    • Guest: Janet Kellam 

    • Producer: Caleb Merrill (@theavalanchehourpodcast)


    Sponsors:

    • Wyssen Avalanche Control
    • Gordini
    • OpenSnow
    • PeakVisor


    🎶 Music by Ketsa: Get Me Out, Snowing in Spring, Reach the End


    Show more...
    1 month ago
    1 hour 3 minutes 40 seconds

    The Avalanche Hour Podcast
    Will Gadd: Stay Stoked and Stay Alive

    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 Video

    • Dunning-Kruger effect

    • Impossible 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 


    Show more...
    2 months ago
    1 hour 48 minutes 32 seconds

    The Avalanche Hour Podcast
    Fabiano Monti: Protecting Italy's highest village

    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.





    Instagram

    https://www.instagram.com/alpsolut.eu/

    Website

    https://www.alpsolut.eu/ 


    Show more...
    2 months ago
    1 hour 4 minutes 59 seconds

    The Avalanche Hour Podcast
    The Ascending Spiral of Mentorship with Nina Marienthal

    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


    Show more...
    2 months ago
    55 minutes 17 seconds

    The Avalanche Hour Podcast
    Therapy for the Soul: A Beginner’s Toolbox into Navigating Grief, Trauma, and Loss

    Therapy for the Soul: A Beginner’s Toolbox into Navigating Grief, Trauma, and Loss

    Guest:

    Jenny Fiebig – Licensed Professional Counselor, IFS Trainer, Outdoor Trauma Specialist

    Host:

    Brooke “Shiny” Edwards

    Recording Date:

    December 4th, 2024

    Episode 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 heal

    Guest 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 Wound

    Sponsor & Partner Mentions:

    Presented by:

    • Wyssen Avalanche Control – www.wyssen.com

    Additional 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 order

    Music Credits:

    • Intro Music: Believing – Ketsa

    • Outro Music: Touching Moments (Remastered) – Ketsa

    Where to Listen & Subscribe:

    • Website: The Avalanche Hour Podcast

    • Spotify: The Avalanche Hour on Spotify

    • Apple Podcasts: The Avalanche Hour on Apple Podcasts

    Producer Credits:

    • Caleb Merrill

    • Cameron Griffin

    Show more...
    3 months ago
    1 hour 6 minutes 54 seconds

    The Avalanche Hour Podcast
    That's What She Said....Sara Interviews Andrea Mannberg

    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=C7xSutCesLQ


    • Read the research by Andrea and her colleagues, as presented at ISSW Tromso here: https://arc.lib.montana.edu/snow-science/objects/ISSW2024_O11.6.pdf


    Support for this Episode is provided by:

    Wyssen Avalanche Control

    Gordini

    OpenSnow

    Propagation Labs


    Show more...
    3 months ago
    1 hour 15 minutes 32 seconds

    The Avalanche Hour Podcast
    The Doctor is In: Dr. Christopher Van Tilburg

    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: Ketsa

    Artwork: Mike Tea


    Links to more of Van Tilburg's work

    Show more...
    3 months ago
    59 minutes 1 second

    The Avalanche Hour Podcast
    Humility in the Face of Historic Uncertainty: Becs Hodgetts

    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-Mnzddc

    Interview with CAIC Director Ethan Greene produced by The Powder Cloud

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YolFA80sP5Y

    National Avalanche Center and Avalanche.org

    https://avalanche.org/national-avalanche-center/

    The Starting Zone by Karl Birkeland

    https://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 Control

    Gordini USA

    OpenSnow

    IPA Collective


    Music by Age Diamante

    Art by Mike Tea

    Show more...
    4 months ago
    1 hour 15 minutes 59 seconds

    The Avalanche Hour Podcast
    Reading the Signs: Avalanche Risk and Decision-Making with Ian McCammon

    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:

    1. Strength: The ability of the snowpack to resist force.

    2. Structure: Weak layers and slab formations.

    3. 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 McCammon



    • FACETS and Human Factors in Avalanche Accidents

    • ALPTRUTh: Evaluating Risk Factors in Avalanche Accidents

    • Stability Wheel and Snowpack Fracture Mechanics

    • Decision-Making in Avalanche Terrain: Cognitive Biases

    • Snow & 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

    Show more...
    4 months ago
    1 hour 18 minutes 36 seconds

    The Avalanche Hour Podcast
    Coloring with all the Crayons: A3's Professional Education Manager Jen Reddy

    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: Ketsa

    Art: Mike Tea

    Listener Survey


    Resources:

    A3 Pro Training Program

    ICAR 2024 Congress

    Teton County Search and Rescue

    Show more...
    4 months ago
    1 hour 1 minute 26 seconds

    The Avalanche Hour Podcast
    Deep Slabs and Decision-Making – A Legacy of Safety with Chris Stethem and Grant Statham (Part 2)

    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

    Show more...
    5 months ago
    1 hour 17 minutes 39 seconds

    The Avalanche Hour Podcast
    Deep Snow, Deeper Lessons – The Origins of Avalanche Safety with Chris Stethem and Grant Statham (Part 1)

    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

    Show more...
    5 months ago
    1 hour 32 minutes 20 seconds

    The Avalanche Hour Podcast
    From Horses to Horizons: Liz King’s Avalanche Education Journey

    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


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    5 months ago
    1 hour 5 minutes 15 seconds

    The Avalanche Hour Podcast
    Layers of Life and Learning: Lessons from the Mountains with Josh Hirshberg

    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


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    6 months ago
    1 hour 20 minutes 5 seconds

    The Avalanche Hour Podcast
    Fat skis are a risk management tool and other Goldie Nuggets: Sara Boilen x Larry Goldie

    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


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    6 months ago
    1 hour 18 minutes 13 seconds

    The Avalanche Hour Podcast
    Culture Eats Strategy for Breakfast: Karin Pocock

    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


    Show more...
    6 months ago
    1 hour 15 minutes 47 seconds

    The Avalanche Hour Podcast
    Winter Weather Forecasting with Joel Gratz and OpenSnow

    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



    Show more...
    7 months ago
    51 minutes 11 seconds

    The Avalanche Hour Podcast
    The Why of Adventure and The Adventure of Why: Shiny x Ken Wylie

    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


  • Show more...
    7 months ago
    1 hour 18 minutes 7 seconds

    The Avalanche Hour Podcast
    Podcast by Caleb Merrill