This episode features John Reller and Lane Critser. We talk about the C-RAD (Colorado Rapid Avalanche Deployment) organization as well as what goes into the training and utilization of Avalanche Dog Teams. It was a super fun interview to do with these guys, and I think you'll enjoy it. Check out C-RAD at www.c-rad.org. Music on this episode was Sunsquabi's "Reptile" (feat. Nicholas Gerlach) off their new album "Instinct". Taking us out of the hour was Cabin Sessions by GRiZ GRiZ - “Cabin Session...
Jan 15, 2019•57 min
In this episode, we interview Roger Coit. Roger is the faculty lead for the Leadville, CO based Colorado Mountain College Avalanche Science Program. Roger talks about his background and then what it has taken to develop this cutting edge program in the U.S. He explains what the program entails, what is expected of the students, and the value that this program will add to the avalanche industry in the U.S. www.coloradomtn.edu/avalanche-science Enjoy!
Jan 01, 2019•51 min
A quick holiday message from The Avalanche Hour Podcast.
Dec 23, 2018•6 min
This episode includes a story and reflections of a guided heli skier being caught in a an avalanche. We then feature an interview with Ted Steiner who is an avalanche forecaster and consultant for the Burlington Northern Sante Fe Railway in Essex, MT. Find out how to enter in this season's first podcast contest, and listen to find out how your donation to the American Avalanche Association can go further this month! Enjoy and Happy Holidays. Music on today's episode is from Broke for Free, The P...
Dec 15, 2018•53 min
This episode features Billy Rankin from Irwin Guides. Irwin Guides, based in Crested Butte Colorado has international year round guided trips- pretty much everything from rafting to climbing to skiing to fly fishing. They have a bad ass cat ski and backcountry ski operation in a zone that has yearly snow averages far exceeding the typical continental snowpack. Tune in as we chat with Billy about his career, some of the intricacies of their ski tenure and weather patterns, as well as how their op...
Dec 01, 2018•1 hr 4 min
People are starting to ride, and people are starting to trigger avalanches! Even if it's not snowing where you are, it is not a bad idea to start tracking what the snowpack is doing where your mid winter backcountry trip may be. This episode has an introduction to the A3's new Executive Director, an awesome ISSW recap from Utah Avalanche Center's Greg Gagne, and a great interview from former ski patroller and supervisor of UDOT's avalanche safety program: Liam Fitzgerald. Hope you enjoy! Music b...
Nov 15, 2018•1 hr 3 min
In this episode, We highlight a submission from Greg Cunningham on his favorite couple presentations from ISSW ’18. We then jump into an interview with Jake Hutchinson. Jake is a longtime ski patroller, forecaster, guide, and avalanche educator. Last year, Jake wrote a great article in Ascent Backcountry Snow Journal titled “Guilt” where he talked about issues surrounding perhaps the most pivotal experience of his career. He opens the door on some tough issues facing specifically the patrol and ...
Nov 01, 2018•1 hr 1 min
Snow is flyin’ up high! It caught me by surprise and I dipped down to the desert between interviews to get some biking in. Tune in to this episode where we talk to Brian Lazar. Brian is the deputy director of the Colorado Avalanche Information Center. We chat about the many roles he has had in the Snow and Avalanche world, discuss the structure of the CAIC, and what a day in the life looks like. Enjoy! Music on this episode is performed by Gramatik.
Oct 15, 2018•53 min
In the first episode of Season 3, we sit down with Erich Peitzsch- A physical scientist with the USGS. Erich has a background in ski patrolling and avalanche forecasting, and is also working on his PhD from Montana State. Erich talks about the forecasting program for the Going to the Sun Road at Glacier National Park, and explains some of his research. Enjoy! For more information on GNP's avalanche forecasting program as well as Erich's research- Check out these links. Thanks to Peri Sasnett for...
Oct 01, 2018•1 hr 2 min
In the last episode of season 2, we hear a story from John Lemnotis. John was backcountry riding with some friends in early June a few years back when he was involved and injured in an avalanche. John is a ski and rock guide based out of the Wasatch...or wherever his van is parked...
May 15, 2018•49 min
In the 15th episode of Season 2, I sit down with Hans Hjelde of Snowbasin, UT. Enjoy our chat with Hans...I know I did as we sat down, threw back a few drinks and Hans talks about his experience as a ski patroller, ski guide, dog handler, backcountry forecaster, and volunteer climbing ranger in places like Mt Ruapehu in New Zealand, Danali, AK, Gulmarg India, Snowbasin, UT, and the Ruby Mountains of NE Nevada. I am hoping next season, I will be able to compile another episode featuring other peo...
May 08, 2018•1 hr
This episode is a one-two punch featuring two guests. Sean Zimmerman-Wall and Alex Taran both started their careers as Snowbird Ski Patrollers learning and working amongst the walls of Little Cottonwood Canyon. They both ventured to South America to extend their ski seasons, where they both started guiding. Alex went on to start the South American Beacon Project, and Sean became part owner of Patagonia Ski Tours. Tune in as we explore their careers, and passion projects within the Snow and Avala...
Apr 15, 2018•1 hr 2 min
Episode 2.13 features Rod Newcomb. Rod is a pioneer of the snow and avalanche arena and shares some of his experiences since moving to the Tetons almost 60 years ago. I think it is so valuable to share interviews like this, as Rod has so much mileage in the mountains as an avalanche forecaster, guide, and educator. There are a couple audio blips in this recording due to some technical problems and some background noise, but the recording does increase in quality as the show progresses. I hope yo...
Apr 03, 2018•1 hr 19 min
In our twelve episode of season 2, we talk to Michael Silitch of the BRASS Foundation. BRASS is the Bryce and Ronnie Athlete Snow Safety Foundation, and is responsible for bringing high quality avalanche education to ski racing programs around the country. Michael is also an IFMGA certified guide, and shares some insight from his guiding career. Enjoy!
Mar 15, 2018•46 min
Episode 2.11 features Lynne Wolfe. Lynne is a longtime avalanche educator and guide in the Tetons. She is also the editor of The Avalanche Review publication for the A3. We talk about her background, some of her mentors, as well as what goes in to putting the publication that ties our community together. If you are like me, keep a dictionary close by because her vocabulary is more extensive than mine! Enjoy!
Mar 02, 2018•54 min
Our First installment of Slabs and Sluff. What is that you say? We will release episodes of short stories of listeners recounting close calls with the white dragon. Want to submit something? Reach out to me theavalanchehourpodcast@gmail.com. This episode comes from Matt Vial of Anchorage Alaska. Enjoy.
Feb 23, 2018•35 min
In Episode 2.10, we chat with Mike Rheam, who is the head of the snow safety department at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort and a forecaster for the Bridger Teton Avalanche Center. We chatted in November in the Avalanche Lab at JHMR while Mike highlighted some of the inner workings of the forecasting process for both the ski area and the backcountry. He talks about the variety of different avalanche mitigation tools available to his team, as well as shares some stories and advice to younger avalanch...
Feb 15, 2018•1 hr 5 min
In Episode 2.9, we sit down with Weston Deutschlander. Wes is holding on to the free heel tradition as he works as an avalanche educator and guide. We talk about a close call he had while cat ski guiding last year and process some of the factors that went into that day. Enjoy!
Feb 01, 2018•1 hr 6 min
In this episode, we sit down with Karl Birkeland. Karl is the director of the National Avalanche Center and adjunct professor for Montana State University's Snow Science program. Karl has found a balance as a researcher, educator, and practitioner. We talk to Karl about the history and evolution of snowpack tests, and he gives us some insight about where he thinks these tests might move in the future. Karl then shares some formative experiences that he has had with avalanches- that have helped s...
Jan 15, 2018•1 hr 20 min
This episode explores where you would fit into the new avalanche education paradigm. We sit down with Sarah Carpenter of The American Avalanche Institute as we discuss the history of AAI, what types of avalanche courses they offer, and how they recommend implementing a systems based approach to recreating in backcountry avalanche terrain. Hold on tight.....you might just learn something.
Jan 01, 2018•45 min
Just a quick Holiday Greeting from all of us at The Avalanche Hour Podcast, ok...let's be honest- It's really just me.....and Arlo the dog. Oh- And listen to this to see how you can win a pair of Black Diamond Legend Gloves. Check it!
Dec 24, 2017•2 min
Part 2- the conclusion- of Episode 2.6 with Jake Thelen and Sam Kapacinskas recount rescue efforts, communication confusion, and the aftermath of The Birthday Chutes Avalanche.
Dec 19, 2017•39 min
On December 19th, 2016 in the White Pine drainage of Little Cottonwood Canyon, UT, two friends triggered a large deep slab avalanche as the sun was setting on the far side of the Salt Lake Valley. Tune in as we interview survivors Jake Thelen and Sam Kapacinskas as they share their story of a very bad day in the backcountry.
Dec 15, 2017•32 min
In episode 2.5 you will hear from Pete Gompert- a design engineer from Black Diamond and Craig Gordon- a forecaster from the Utah Avalanche Center. Pete talks about the Black Diamond Jet Force Airbag packs and how he helped to come up with the concept of using a fan to inflate an airbag pack. We then sit down with Craig to talk about his career within the professional avalanche arena. We especially highlight the work that Craig has done to help start and develop the Know Before You Go program, t...
Dec 01, 2017•1 hr 7 min
In Episode 2.4, we hear from Scott Savage about a great project he is working on with the help of Bill Williamson and Ethan Greene. It is the long awaited unveiling of the Avalanche Near Miss database that will hopefully create a safer culture within the professional avalanche community. We then turn inward as we hear from Nancy Bockino of Jackson Hole, WY as she talks about embracing being human in the avalanche environment. Hope you enjoy!!
Nov 16, 2017•51 min
In the third episode this season, we travel east of the Rockies. We chat with a snow ranger from Mt. Washington Avalanche Center in New Hampshire. Helon Hoffer grew up hiking and skiing in the White Mountains. He explains his journey to finding his job as a snow ranger and avalanche forecaster. We talk about the intricacies of micro scale forecasting for a busy- and windy zone.
Nov 02, 2017•1 hr 6 min
In episode 2, we talk to IFMGA guide, avalanche educator, and writer Joe Stock about slowing down to make better decisions, learning from our mistakes, and managing uncertainty in avalanche terrain. Check out Joe's website at www.stockalpine.com to read his blogs, hire him as a guide, or buy his book, The Alaska Factor 2. We also hear an update from AIARE's executive director, Richard Bothwell regarding Pro courses for this winter.
Oct 22, 2017•1 hr 1 min
Welcome to season 2! In our first episode, I highlight an interview with Bill Nalli of Utah Department of Transportation. Bill is the Highway Avalanche Safety Program Manager for UDOT, and we discuss many aspects of their forecasting and mitigation program for Utah's state roadways. Bill shares the history of the forecasting program in Little Cottonwood Canyon , he talks about assessing the risk in different slide paths of LCC, and strategies to use the best tools to keep the roadways open. Hope...
Oct 13, 2017•1 hr 15 min
In this episode, we talk to Nick Meyers. Nick is the Director of the Mt. Shasta Avalanche Center as well as the lead climbing ranger for the area. We talk to Nick about springtime avalanche concerns all over the western US. He also lets us know some things to think about when planning a climbing or skiing trip to Mt. Shasta. Leave a review for us on iTunes, and you will be entered to win a pair of M1 Gloves from Truck Gloves. Enjoy!
Apr 30, 2017•24 min
This episode will be broken down into two separate episodes, and will talk about some of the details of how avalanche education within the United States will be changing in the next year. We sit down with Kirk Bachman of Stanley Idaho. Kirk wears many hats and one of them is that of the Chair of the Education Committee for the American Avalanche Association. Kirk Explains some of the reasoning for the upcoming Professional/Recreational split and how it can benefit different user groups.
Apr 12, 2017•40 min
