The Avalanche Hour Podcast

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...

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!

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 m...

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.

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 m...

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!

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 fut...

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.

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!

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.

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.

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 especiall...

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 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.

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 reg...

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 i...

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...

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...

In the part 2 of the fourth episode, we finish our conversation with Kirk about how you may fit into the new paradigm of avalanche education. We then talk to IFMGA and heli ski guide Jonathon Spitzer. Jonathon also works as an instructor for AIARE and the AMGA, and brings some perspective about how the upcoming Pro/Rec split may benefit the professional guiding community.

In this episode, we talk to Kevin Grove of Bend, Oregon. Kevin talks about risk tolerance in avalanche terrain. I also talk about a mistake my partner and I made recently. Enjoy!

In this episode, we hear a great story from Roger Strong, we talk to Drew Hardesty, and we hear from Alex Marienthal of the Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center.

The Avalanche Hour Podcast Episode 1.1 by Caleb Merrill

In this half shot, I reveal the three interview guests I will be working with down the line this winter. I have worked on some recording, editing, and mixing in some music. Let me know what you think about the quality and upcoming content!

Happy New Year. We have just launched our Indiegogo campaign, and I have recorded a short introduction to the podcast. I am testing out some recording and editing techniques and learning a lot along the way! Enjoy