I travelled to Jackson WY last week and sat 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

The Avalanche Hour Podcast Episode 4.3 Don Sharaf

Sports

EPISODE 8.26
On today’s episode join us as Ellen Bradley and Jossline Jackson share their personal and poignant connections to their indigenous roots through skiing and science, guided by mentor and educator Mike Janes. We delve into the importance of indigenous knowledge in environmental stewardship and explore initiatives that make outdoor spaces accessible and inclusive.
Socials:
The Avalanche Hour Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/theavalanchehourpodcast/
Links:
RASOR program: https://rasor.alaska.edu/
Alaska Avalanche School: https://alaskaavalanche.org/
Douglas Indian Association: https://diataku.com/
Sealaska Heritage: https://sealaskaheritage.org/institute/education/programs
Juneau Poster_RASOR (1).pdf
Sponsors for this episode:
Wyssen: https://www.wyssenavalanche.com/en/
Gordini: http://www.gordini.com
OpenSnow: http://www.opensnow.com
Crew:
Host - Brooke "Shiny" Edwards https://www.instagram.com/wildworldwanderings
Producer - Cameron Griffin: https://www.instagram.com/backcountrycam/
Donate:
The Avalanche Hour Podcast: https://www.theavalanchehour.com/donate
The American Avalanche Association: https://www.americanavalancheassociation.org/donate
Music:

Ketsa: 80’s vision/Ketsa 
Ketsa: Hold on/ketsa

8.26 - JOSSLINE, ELLEN, AND MIKE

In this episode our European contributors, Matthias Walcher and Christoph Mitterer from @ÖGSL, interview Snow Scientists, and current intern at @ÖGSL; Manuel Genswein.

Manuel is a one-of-a-kind individual and no stranger to the avalanche industry. As a lone wolf, he has been traveling the world for over 30 years bringing his strategies and ideas to the field of avalanche rescue. In this episode we talk about where he grew up?  How he got involved with the avalanche industry? and we dive into experiences he has had along the way. He tells us which innovations he is most proud of and what ideas didn't fly? Listen in to find out more and check out Manuel's website for access to his courses and papers:

 mountainsafety.info


Music by Gravy - Freebird
You can find his tracks at gravytunes.bandcamp.com.

Big shout out to the designer of our sweet logo Mike Tea.  You can see more of Mike’s work over at miketea.com  

Support for this episode provided by:

@wyssen_avalanche_control
@gordiniusa
@opensnow
@american_avalanche_association

8.25 Manuel Genswein

In this episode, Harry Keane interviews one of his mentors, David Lovejoy.  We introduce Harry, then turn the mic over to David as he talks about some of his memories of exploring crags, alpine peaks, and snowy mountains across the globe.  David attended Prescott College, where he eventually became a faculty member and professor.  In the early 1980's, he developed an Avalanche Forecasting course in collaboration with Tim Lane and Jerry Roberts of Colorado's Department of Transportation.  This course set the hook for many people who have gone on to make big splashes through their lifelong careers in the snow and avalanche industry.  David provides us with insights and wisdom from his years of cultivating his curious fascination with avalanches.  Tune in.
Music by Ketsa 

Thanks to: 
Wyssen Avalanche Control
Gordini USA
OpenSnow

8.24 David Lovejoy

Episode 8.23 John “Buff” Buffery 

John “Buff” Buffery has had a long and diverse career in avalanche and mountain risk management, spending time at ski hills, guiding, risk management for highways, movie rigging, and much more.  From ski guiding on tele skis back in the early days of his career to building his own split board in the 90s - Buff has pioneered his own path in the mountains.  He was Craig Kelly’s personal guide for much of his career, and has guided and mentored the likes of Travis Rice, Robin Van Gyn, and many others over the years.  He brings a thoughtful and reflective approach to risk management; a personal style that has accompanied him while pioneering new guiding operations in remote terrain, or rigging stunts for the latest Hollywood blockbuster.  
Tune in for lessons learned and philosophies developed over a rich life in the mountains.  Buff talks about avalanche education for pro snowboarders, the evolution of a path into guiding for snowboarders, and longevity in a physically taxing career – and so much more.  Enjoy!

Sponsors for this episode:
Wyssen : https://www.wyssenavalanche.com/en/
Gordini - www.gordini.com
OpenSnow - www.opensnow.com 

Crew:
Host - Dom Baker
Producer - Cameron Griffin - https://www.instagram.com/backcountrycam/

Donate:
The Avalanche Hour Podcast - https://www.theavalanchehour.com/donate 
The American Avalanche Association  - https://www.americanavalancheassociation.org/donate 

Music:
Gravy - @gravy.tunes

8.23 John Buffery

In this episode, Caleb sits down with Ethan Greene, Director of the Colorado Avalanche Information Center.  It is the CAIC’s 50th anniversary this year, and we are happy to have Ethan on the show to celebrate it.  Ethan has truly blended the theory and practice of snow and avalanche work through academia and research coupled with his career as a ski patroller-turned avalanche forecaster.  We chat about the extensive history of the CAIC and some of the strategies that his team employs including the decision to use flexible forecast zones and the implementation of a stress resiliency program.  

Music provided by Gravy.
https://gravytunes.bandcamp.com

Want to hear more about the history of CAIC?  Listen to my interview with Knox Williams: 
https://on.soundcloud.com/FstGgd9Az3zmFrnF7

The Avalanche Hour Podcast Episode 4.3 Don Sharaf

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