Episode 3.1

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 sharing these!

www.nps.gov/gis/storymaps/casca…a7cb4f2f3fc66af107c

www.nps.gov/articles/avalanche_research.htm

Episode 3.2

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. We also give a reminder of the 2018 SAW season and ask for input from listeners who may have been at the 2018 ISSW. Enjoy! Music on this episode is performed by Gramatik.

Episode 3.3

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 guiding world related to dealing with traumatic events. Do you have thoughts or input on these topics? Reach out to us at theavalanchehourpodcast@gmail.com to send your feedback. Music on this episode was performed by GRiZ and Anitek. Hope you enjoy!

Episode 3.4

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!

Episode 3.5

Episode 3.6

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 Polish Ambassador, and Podington Bear. All Made possible by the Creative Commons License and distributed through the Free Music Archive. A link to a video about the work Ted and his forecasting team do is here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIjXmzIrPO4

Episode 3.7

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!

Episode 3.8

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

Episode 3.9

You asked for it, we delivered it. Here is a bonus episode with Flight Paramedic and Vail Ski Patroller Graham Kane. Graham lays out some important fundamentals of post avalanche burial resuscitation and trauma care in a way that is digestable to all no matter your level of training. A must listen for anyone who spends time in backcountry avalanche terrain. Music by Anitek. Enjoy.
You might find it helpful to pull up these resources as Graham lays out the WMS and ICAR Medcom guidelines:
www.wildmedcenter.com/uploads/5/9/8/…1113001860.pdf

Episode 3.10

Tune in today as we sit down with Jamie Yount- the Program Manager for the Avalanche Safety Program for the Colorado Department of Transportation. Jamie reflects on his education, career, and the path that he has taken to find himself in this position. He explains how one of the largest state highway avalanche forecasting programs runs. Enjoy. Music on this episode by Schedule One Beats

Episode 3.11

Episode 3.12

This episode features Mark Mueller. Mark has been one many hats in the Avalanche arena from The Executive Director of A3, to Ski Patrol Director at Squaw Valley to his current role as a highway forecaster for CAIC. There are so many good tidbits in this interview as Mark tells us his story, and gives a glimpse into his day to day routine. Music on this episode is by SoDown. Check out more tracks of theirs on SoundCloud!

Episode 3.12

In this episode, we chat with Jack Reuppel- Long time ski patroller and snow safety technician from Summit County, CO. Jack talks about some ideas on temporal variability of the snowpack. If you want to work with Jack on some of his research, email him at jack4of5@gmail.com. Enjoy the episode

Episode 3.14

We've got a great interview with Ben Pritchett- Forecaster, Guide, and Educator based out of Crested Butte, CO. Ben tells the story of his career, and also tells the story of the start of AIARE (American Institute of Avalanche Research and Education) of which he was very involved with for a number of years. We talk about some of the intricacies of forecasting within the Crested Butte area, the relationship between the Crested Butte Avalanche Center and the Colorado Avalanche Information Center, and Ben rounds out the hour with an account of when he was surprised by the snowpack. This one is a good one. You will like. I promise. 
Music on the episode: Gramatik: Klassikal & Somebody. Anitek: Volley Principle

Episode 3.15

Episode 3.16

The corn harvest is on in the PNW! I've been busy in the last couple weeks, but was stoked to make time to review this episode. I think you will really appreciate it. We sit down with Evelyn Lees of the Utah Avalanche Center. She tells us about her career, and dives into a talk that she and Mark Staples have been sharing throughout the US during the Snow and Avalanche Workshop seasons. The topic involves being solo- or "effectively" solo in the backcountry. Enjoy.

Episode 3.17

As we wind down The Avalanche Hour Podcast season, I highlight a great interview with John Sykes. John is part psychologist, part guide, part educator, and part researcher. Some might say a full unicorn. John graduated recently with his Masters Degree from MSU, and has also recently started a phD program at Simon Fraser University. We chat about his life, about his work, and about his decision making in the backcountry.

Episode 3.18

For 45 years, billy barr has been taking weather observations every day from the same location in Gothic, CO. In the wintertime, he makes observations of avalanches of the numerous paths surrounding his house. billy has no vehicle. He skis into town for supplies as the road is closed in the winter. He loves numbers, and with all of this weather data over such an extended time, he has lots of numbers to look at. His work has caught the attention of scientists studying climate change. In this episode, we hear about his life and his work. Tune in.

Episode 3.19

Last episode of season 3 highlights an interview with longtime Heli Ski Guide Roger Atkins. Roger presented the paper Yin, Yang, and You at the 2014 ISSW. He outlined how approaching each day with a strategic mindset might help guiding operations choose appropriate terrain and manage clients in the best way. This will be a timeless episode, that would be helpful to review once the snow starts flying again. The beginning of the show has some background noise, but it decreases throughout the show. A link to Roger's Paper is below:http://arc.lib.montana.edu/snow-science/objects/ISSW14_paper_O9.02.pdf