Episode 4.1
Joe and Mike Royer
Welcome to the 4th season of the Avalanche Hour Podcast! This episode features the first family of heliskiing in the US. Mike and Joe Royer sit down with me and discuss the history and the future of Ruby Mountain Heli Ski. We also dive into some of the characteristics of this uniquely situated mountain range, the snowpack that we deal with there, and how we forecast for and deal with Avalanche hazard in a busy heli skiing schedule. Music on this episode is Loungin' by Gramatik and Hicktronica feat Dirtwire by The Polish Ambassador. I hope you enjoy!
Episode 4.2
Crystal Mountain Pro Patrol
This episode features a couple of Crystal Mountain's finest. Robin Pendery is the Assistant Forecaster for the avalanche program and Sara Cohen is the director of the dog rescue program at Crystal Mountain in Washington. We talk about the forecasting and mitigation program with Robin, then dig into the dog program with Sara. You'll learn about what goes into the thought process of an avalanche mitigation morning, as well as what makes a good dog team training program. Enjoy! Music by Broke for Free
Episode 4.3
Don Sharaf
In this episode, we sit down with Don Sharaf. Don has spent the better part of the past 3 decades working in the snow and avalanche realm while forecasting, guiding, and educating others in this high risk environment. We break down what we can do given all of our awareness of human factors, talk about how to measure success and failure in avalanche education, whether confidence is outpacing competence and so much more. We recorded this interview in a county library, and unfortunately there was some interference in the recording that needed to be scrubbed out, resulting in the interview sound quality becoming a bit dull. Sorry about that! After you listen to the show, make sure you check out Don's interview with Drew Hardesty on the UAC podcast. Below is a link to that. If you are interested in the Gordon Graham video referenced, there is also a link to that below. Music on this episode is Anitek- Courtesy of the Free Music Archive and made possible by the Creative Commons License. Enjoy!
https://utahavalanchecenter.org/blog/38344
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JuVo4Nhy7Us
Episode 4.4
Just one of those days with BrendEn Cronin
We sit down and have a good ol time with BrendEn Cronin. Currently a highway forecaster for Wyoming DOT, BrendEn has been a guide, forecaster, ski patroller, and all around badass kayaker. We cover lots in this episode, and I think we had a pretty good time doing it. BrendEn talks about mentors that have had an influence on him through his career, he recounts some memorable storm cycles in the Tetons, and he ventures into the ins and outs of forecasting for WYDOT. Hope you enjoy. Music in this episode: Funk it VIP by Gramatik and DeFunk as well as So Far by Anitek.
Episode 4.5
Doug Chabot gathers data in SW Montana
This episode features a great interview with Doug Chabot who is the current director of the Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center in Bozeman, MT. We chat about some of the strategies the GNAFC utilizes to get their message across to as many diverse user groups as they can. We also chat about his work with several organizations in Pakistan. Doug shares a couple stories of close calls and the subsequent lessons learned from those. Enjoy. Music on this episode was "Somebody" by Gramatik and "Boss O Nova" by Anitek. Enjoy!
Episode 4.6
PC: Alex Do
Danny Holland recounts his perspective of being part of the group that was involved in a fatal avalanche on December 26, 2013. This avalanche took place on the run called Puckerface on Cody Peak just outside of the JHMR boundary. This is not meant to be an exhaustive analysis of the avalanche, but more a conversational piece about how the events of that fateful day unfolded. Thank you to Danny for sharing his story. This is not easy. For more information on this event, see the below links. We can all learn from this.
Accident Report: avalanche.state.co.us/caic/acc/acc_r…=510&accfm=inv
The Avalanche Review article by Alex Do: (Page 19) static1.squarespace.com/static/59d2a0…ALL_LoRes.pdf
Episode 4.7
In this episode, we first chat with CJ Svela who is the Vice President of the Association of Professional Patrollers. He shares with us what the APP is all about, and some of the educational offerings of this winter for Patrollers across the West. We then chat with Laura Maguire, who shares some of her research concerning decision making and cognitive systems in high risk environments.
Laura Maguire
Episode 4.8
Episode 4.8 highlights Guide, Educator, Patroller, Professional Expedition Skier Jamie Laidlaw. Jamie shares some of the lessons he has learned in the mountains, and what has caught him off guard in the snowpack. He details some strategy about going into areas where there is no readily accessed information to historical snowpack data. I know you'll enjoy this one.
Jamie Laidlaw
Episode 4.9
Ed Adams
In this episode, we sit down with Ed Adams- recently retired professor from Montana State University. Ed was instrumental in the development and success of the SubZero lab at MSU. We chat about his career path, some of the research that he has worked on, and a few stories that happened along the way. Tune in. Music on this episode by Ketsa. Tracks: Night Fly and Greener Grass.
Episode 4.10
Don Carpenter right at home in the Tetons
In Episode 4.10, I sit down with Don Carpenter- Guide, Educator, and owner of The American Avalanche Institute. We chat about some of the programs that AAI offers for some of the special operations teams of the US Military. We chat about teamwork, partners, travel techniques in avalanche terrain, and of course Don shares some stories of his experience throughout his career
Episode 4.11
This episode highlights two avalanche centers that may be smaller in budget and forecast area of other larger centers, but certainly don't lack in professionalism as well as community support. We chat with Gabe Coler and Aaron Hartz of the Central Oregon Avalanche Center as well as Victor Mcneil of the Wallowa Avalanche Centers. We chat about the evolution and growth of these organizations, as well as some of the ways their communities are helping to drive the success of the centers. Enjoy! Music: "Rubberband" by Anitek and " UpFolk" by Ketsa
Tasty lines in the Wallowas
Beautiful light in Central Oregon
Episode 4.12
In this episode, I chat with Greg Epstein. Greg grew up in Jackson Wyoming, and is proud to call it home. He has been an extreme skier, film producer for TGR, and is currently one of the Teton County Commissioner. Greg talks about his career and recounts an avalanche he was involved in outside of JHMR. Enjoy! Music provided by Broke for Free via www.freemusicarchive.org
Greg Epstein
Episode 4.13
In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic....Crazy times. Take a timeout to listen to this great episode featuring Eric Knoff. Eric has been a pro patroller, public avalanche forecaster, as well as an educator. We talk to Eric about his career, his new education company: Six Points Avalanche Education, as well as some of his thoughts (and research) on large column tests. Musical tracks by Ketsa. Mission Ready and Onwards Upwards. Check out Six Points Avalanche Education at www.avalancheclass.com.
Doug Workman
Episode 4.14
This episode features Doug Workman- Jackson, WY based ski and alpine guide. Doug is also the North American Technical Snow Safety Rep for Mammut. We chat about ski guiding in the far reaches of the Earth, some of the ways guide meetings might play out for different operations, as well as some of the current snow safety product offerings Mammut has. Don't forget to check out www.mammutavalanchesafety.com A link to the current survey I talk about in this episode: https://avbullvis.avalancheresearch.ca/ Enjoy!
Episode 4.15
Don Bachman
In this episode, we hear the story of Don Bachman's career in the snow and avalanche world. From ski patrolling to avalanche forecasting for highways, infrastructure, and athletic events, Don recounts lessons learned, mentorships, and a few stories along the way. We hope you enjoy. Music by Ketsa and Lobo Loco.
Episode 4.16
Doug Richmond on his way up a few years back
In this episode, we hear from Doug Richmond. Doug is a career ski patroller who started out at Sugarbowl in Lake Tahoe and skipped around a bit before settling in to his home at Bridger Bowl. Doug talks about the fundamentals of working in the avalanche environment, what has kept him and his team safe during avalanche mitigation mornings, and what makes a good ski patroller. Doug shares a couple of great stories to round out the hour. Enjoy. Music by Ketsa.
Episode 4.17
In this episode, we chat with Dr. Jordy Hendrikx- Director of the Snow and Avalanche Lab at Montana State University. Jordy talks about the path that led him to his current role at MSU. He talks about what a potential applicant might want to focus on before starting an application to the program. We also chat about some of the current research going on in the program as well as the high caliber employment that graduates are finding in the snow and avalanche arena. We hope you enjoy this episode. Music: Ketsa "Upfronts" and "Sun Inside".
PC @snowscience
Jordy in his element. PC: Martin Stefan
Episode 4.18
Jerry Johnson
In this episode, we highlight an interview with Dr. Jerry Johnson, a political science professor at Montana State University. We talk about some of the factors that Jerry feels like are contributing to good decision making in backcountry winter sports. He talks about his involvement with the White Heat Project, and how we can learn about making decisions from other professions, and much more. Music on this track: "Wizard" by Sunsquabi and "Afternoon Soul" by Gramatik.
Episode 4.19
This episode highlights Kevin Hammonds. Kevin is a professor at Montana State University in the Civil Engineering department. He is also the current director of the Sub Zero Lab at MSU. Kevin is a great example of someone who is dedicated to merging theory and practice within our field of interest and curiosity. Kevin dives into what is involved in the lab, and some of the interesting research that is going on as well. Tunes by Ketsa: "Thinking Free" and "Peace Out".
Kevin Hammonds
Episode 4.20
It's episode 4.20, man. This episode features Alex Marienthal. Alex obtained both BS and MS degrees in the Snow Science Program at Montana State University. We chat with Alex about his graduate research regarding better forecasting for deep slab avalanches. Alex shares with us some of the ways he tries to communicate complex problems in a concise way within his forecasts. He also recounts some experiences in his career that he doesn't plan on forgetting. Hope you enjoy. Music by Ketsa
Alex Marienthal investigating a natural avalanche. PC: Tyler Allen
PC: GFNAC