“Science is What We Do to Keep from Lying to Ourselves” ~ Richard Feynman. 

In this conversation, Bruce Jamieson is back to interview Dr. Karl Birkeland and Joe Stock for a deep dive into snow science. Jamieson brings us with him on a snow science journey alongside two of the industry’s top authors and experts on snow avalanches. Their conversations comment on the importance of the science side of the industry as “understanding how things work allows us to anticipate conditions that are outside of our experience.” 

Interview Highlights:

- Stopping to dig a snow pit or review & interpret observations helps groups engage with the snowpack, fosters curiosity, and encourages collaborative decision-making

- Long-term practitioners often become humble and curious due to encountering surprises and unknowns in avalanche work

- The amount of science needed depends on the individual and their goals; more knowledge can help practitioners and recreationists make better decisions, especially in unfamiliar conditions   

- People benefit from a tiered training framework: core skills in main courses coupled with more science topics through CPD and ISSWs. 

Joe Stock is an IFMGA mountain guide who has distilled decades of skiing, climbing, guiding and teaching avalanche courses into a step-by-step system outlined in The Avalanche Factor - a handbook for recreational skiers and climbers who want to get into backcountry avalanche terrain using their own power.

Karl Birkeland’s The Starting Zone is an e-book specifically targeting avalanche professionals and advanced recreationists. It’s an essential resource for avalanche professionals, blending cutting-edge science with practical avalanche application.

Thanks to the sponsors of the show.

Legacy Sponsors:

Darren Johnson Avalanche Education Memorial Fund

AVSS

Drone Amplified

Partner Sponsors:

CIL Avalanche

Safeback

onX Backcountry

Episode Sponsor:

Open Snow

Music: Ketsa

Artwork: Mike Tea 

Production: Caleb Merrill, Bob Keating

Morgan Dinsdale is a professional ski guide, writer, holistic nutritionist and the Founder and Executive Director of the State of the Snowpack, a public safety non-profit dedicated to connecting avalanche professionals with their local communities across the mountain communities of Canada.

A Canadian Ski Guide Association (CSGA) Level 2 Ski Guide and the first Level 2 ever elected to the CSGA Board of Directors, Morgan spends her winters guiding for Whistler Heli-Skiing and Selkirk Snowcat Skiing. Her career blends her deep love for skiing with heartfelt storytelling, mentorship, and a passion for creating more connection, compassion, playfulness and transparency in the backcountry. 

Outside of guiding, Morgan is a devoted long-distance thru-hiker, having walked thousands of miles around the world, from New Zealand's Te Araroa to the Continental Divide Trail. She feels most herself in truly wild places, often with her beloved dog, Teddy Bear, by her side. 

In a profession often defined by grit and bravado, Morgan brings her own form of mountain strength—rooted in tenderness, intuition, mindfulness and the color pink. She believes femininity and wildness belong together, and that leadership in the mountains can be both grounded and graceful.

Interview Highlights: 

• Morgan Dinsdale shares the history of her non-profit, State of The Snowpack

• Morgan shares how her team at Selkirk Snowcat Skiing re-created The Stress Continuum to fit their decision-making model in their guide meetings

• Morgan shares some profound wisdom from a recent near miss avalanche accident

We would like to dedicate this show to Judson Wright, co-founder of State of The Snowpack with Morgan who just passed away of a heart attack on Saturday, November 15, 2025. 

Thanks to the sponsors of the show.

Legacy Sponsors:

Darren Johnson Avalanche Education Memorial Fund

AVSS

Drone Amplified

Partner Sponsors:

CIL Avalanche

Safeback

onX Backcountry

Episode Sponsor:

IPA Collective

Music: Ketsa

Artwork: Mike Tea 

Production: Caleb Merrill, Bob Keating 

In this episode, Matthias Walcher sits down with Jürg Schweizer for a deep dive on a career focused on snow science. 

Jürg Schweizer studied environmental physics at ETH Zurich and joined SLF, at that time still up on the Weissfluhjoch, after completing his PhD. He spent a formative year conducting research at Rogers Pass in Canada. He rose from researcher to head of the world’s most renowned institute in the field, leading pioneering work that shaped modern avalanche science. Along the way, he mentored dozens of young scientists who now advance our understanding of snow and avalanches worldwide.

Interview highlights:

- How avalanche research has changed over the decades.

- What it takes to build a career in avalanche science.

- Why 4,000 feet of snow pits still hold surprises.

- The importance of good mentorship.

Resources cited in the conversation:

https://www.instagram.com/whiteriskslf/?hl=en

https://www.instagram.com/slfdavos/?hl=en

Links to many of his publications can be found here: https://www.slf.ch/de/mitarbeitende/schweizj

Thanks to the sponsors of the show.

Legacy Sponsors:

Darren Johnson Avalanche Education Memorial Fund

AVSS

Drone Amplified

Partner Sponsors:

CIL Avalanche

Safeback

onX Backcountry

Episode Sponsor:

Open Snow

Music: Ketsa

Artwork: Mike Tea 

Production: Caleb Merrill, Bob Keating

In memory of Judson Wright, this is a special re-airing of a Season 6 interview with him. 

Judson was a father and a husband first, and the founder and lead guide of Kootenay Backcountry Guides.  He was the co-founder of State of the Snowpack, and lead guide of White Grizzly Snowcat Skiing.  He was also the most enthusiastic crossing guard you ever met.  

Judson guided with the principle that if you are doing it for yourself then you are no longer guiding.   He loved to share the joy of powder skiing and seeing people light up as they fall in love with it.

We’re going to miss you Jud.  Rest in Powder. 

Summary of the Episode: 

- Wisdom shared from years of guiding and moving through the mountains

- Philosophies on good guiding and instruction 

- At the end of the day, it’s just skiing.  We all need to come home to our families.  

The Judson Wright Legacy Fund was established by Judson’s wife Kelly. This fund will support initiatives that reflect Judson’s values, including backcountry awareness and education. Find the fund here: https://ospreycommunityfoundation.ca/funds/judson-wright-legacy-fund/

Resiliency Resources for Grief/Loss Listed in the Episode:

Canada

- Canadian Mountain Community Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) 

To find out more or get in touch with a Peer Responder: mountaincism.ca, [email protected] or the Dispatch Line (for immediate support): 604-670-2772

- Mountain Muskox 

mountainmuskox.com

- Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA)

British Columbia Broader Regional Mental Health & Community Resources: bc.cmha.ca

- Center for Loss and Life Transitions

An organization dedicated to helping people who are grieving. Books and resources about grief: centerforloss.com

- MyGrief.ca

MyGrief.ca is an online resource to help people move through their grief from the comfort of their own home, at their own pace. It can help you understand your grief and approach some of the most difficult questions that may arise.

- Lumara Grief & Bereavement Society

A BC based organization that runs programs for youth and families navigating grief and loss: lumarasociety.org/about-us

United States

- The American Avalanche Association Resiliency Project

https://www.americanavalancheassociation.org/resilience-project

- Survivors of Outdoor Adventure Recovery (SOAR)

Instagram page @outdooradventuresandrecovery or website soar4life.org

- American Alpine Club, Climbers Grief Fund

https://americanalpineclub.org/grieffund

- Redside Foundation, supporting guides in MT, ID, CO, WY

https://www.redsidefoundation.org/

- Brooke Shiny Edwards - Resiliency Coach 

https://wildworldwanderings.com/coaching

Thanks to the sponsors of the show.

Legacy Sponsors:

Darren Johnson Avalanche Education Memorial Fund

AVSS

Drone Amplified

Partner Sponsors:

CIL Avalanche

Safeback

onX Backcountry

Music: Ketsa

Artwork: Mike Tea 

Production: Caleb Merrill, Bob Keating 

This panel discussion was part of the Bend Snow & Avalanche Workshop (BendSAW), hosted by the Central Oregon Avalanche Center and originally recorded on November 8th, 2025. The panel brought together Margaret Wheeler, Liz King, Jason Boone and Kevin Grove, moderated by Sara Boilen. 

Dr. Sara Boilen is a psychologist based in Northwest Montana and a familiar voice from Slabs and Sluffs. In this episode, she shares the BendSAW panel on grief and loss in the mountain community that she facilitated. Having known grief from a young age, Sara has built her professional (and personal) life around the hard conversations most people avoid. As part of this community, she aims to move the needle toward greater honesty about the risks we take, deeper connection with our partners in the mountains, and even laughter amidst the pain.

We want to extend a huge thank you to the panelists and everyone who attended BendSAW for bringing and allowing for vulnerability in this great community of ours. 

About the panelists:

- Margaret Wheeler Margaret became the second woman in the US to complete her full AMGA IFMGA guide certification

- Liz King is the Avalanche Program Director at the American Avalanche Institute 

- Jason Boone is a recreational user who took a big risk by getting up on stage

- Kevin Grove is an educator, mentor and deeply rooted in the Central Oregon avalanche community

Resources: 

If you struggle with grief, anxiety, depression, or existential pain from your experiences in the mountains, you’re definitely not alone. We know you’re not alone because there are (more than) four organizations entirely dedicated to helping folks just like you feel better. If you want some support, reach out to one of these great organizations, or a coworker, a friend, or someone in your family, and let them know how you’re doing. 

https://www.mountainmuskox.com/

https://www.americanavalancheassociation.org/resilience-project - Episode Sponsor 

Climbing Grief Fund American Alpine Clubhttps://americanalpineclub.org › grieffund

https://www.redsidefoundation.org/

Thanks to the sponsors of the show.

Legacy Sponsors:

Darren Johnson Avalanche Education Memorial Fund

AVSS

Drone Amplified

Partner Sponsors:

CIL Avalanche

Safeback

onX Backcountry

Episode Sponsor:

A3 Resilience Project 

⁠Propagation Labs⁠

Music: Ketsa

Artwork: Mike Tea 
Production: Caleb Merrill, Bob Keating

Episode Highlights:

- A wide ranging conversation touching on community, connection, loss, grief and decision making.

- Field updates from Snow and Avalanche Workshops from Utah ProSAW, South Central AK SAW and Bend SAW

- Highlights from episodes from November and upcoming episodes in December

- Current community events

- No more AI art! This is a sneak preview of our new Season 10 artwork - stay tuned for an exciting announcement! 

In the third installment of our monthly Slabs ‘n Sluff series, hosts Sara Boilen and Dom Baker sit down for a dynamic conversation covering the themes of building community through shared experiences, mentorship, decision-making, and loss. They discuss highlights from podcast episodes from November and look ahead to upcoming episodes in December.  The conversation highlights the significance of building connections & supporting one another, especially in light of recent losses in the avalanche community.

Hear from voices in our community as they prepare for the upcoming winter season and highlight takeaways from attending fall snow & avalanche workshops. 

Sara and Dom discuss preseason training for professionals and recreationalists and have a question for you:  What does your preseason training look like?  How do you prepare for a fun and safe season of shredding?  What skills do you brush up on every season before the snow stacks up?  Call our voicemail line at 541-406-0221!

Thanks to the sponsors of the show.

Legacy Sponsors:

Darren Johnson Avalanche Education Memorial Fund

AVSS

Drone Amplified

Partner Sponsors:

CIL Avalanche

Safeback

onX Backcountry

Episode Sponsor:

Safeback 

Music: Ketsa

Artwork: Mike Tea 

Production: Caleb Merrill, Bob Keating 

Do all heroes really wear capes? No, and the professionals who specialize in avalanche rescue never would - although they often wear red...sans tights - but they deserve a heartfelt thank you. This episode is a special opportunity to hear directly from those who show up when we need them most. We hope to never have to call them, but should listen closely to what they have to share with us. 

In this episode, Michael Ackerman, Dave Richards, Chrissie Oken, John Reller, and Jeremy Jolley bring you the Season 10 Rescue Roundup.  There’s something for everyone in here - whether you are a seasoned patroller or a recreational skier hoping to never need to be rescued.  

Episode Highlights:

- New GPS-enabled emerging technology for more powerful transceiver searching capabilities. Flux lines a thing of the past? PRO transceiver tests?

- How do you shave seconds or minutes during a rescue?

- Train constantly and accurately, but during a rescue, slow down. There are no excuses not to train with your transceiver.

- How to get involved with your local Search & Rescue (SAR) group.

- Technology advancements in the Search & Rescue field. 

- Airbag packs.

Thanks to the sponsors of the show.

Legacy Sponsors:

Darren Johnson Avalanche Education Memorial Fund

AVSS

Drone Amplified

Partner Sponsors:

CIL Avalanche

Safeback

onX Backcountry

Episode Sponsor:

Arva Equipment 

Music: Ketsa

Artwork: Mike Tea 

Production: Caleb Merrill, Bob Keating

Photo: In memory of Jiggs.

Avalanche SAR dog for Snowbasin Ski Patrol, Wasatch Backcountry Rescue. Handler - Eric Landreth.

In loving memory of a legend from our community, we dedicate this episode to you, Wendy.

From Wendy's family: '“I don’t get tired, I go hard!” Are the words six year old Wendy said to her uncle when on a hike. That was the way Wendy lived her life and achieved her dreams. The rest of us felt so lucky to scramble, climb, pedal, ski, or snow machine behind her, trying to keep up on another Wendy adventure.

Wendy was born on October 31, 1973 in Salt Lake City, Utah and she touched the sky on November 6, 2025 in Park City, Utah under a super moon, giving us a fresh dusting of snow on the mountains.

Wendy accomplished so much in her life. An incomplete list: 2002 and 2006 Olympic Winter Games athlete in cross country skiing, 4 World Championships participation, 6 National Championship wins, a coach at the University of Utah XC ski team 2006-2008, an intern for the Utah Avalanche Center, a master’s degree in atmospheric science from University of Utah leading to a career in avalanche forecasting, the Director of the Chugach National Forest Avalanche Information Center 2010-2025 and an air resource meteorologist for the US Forest Service deployed to wildfires.

But beyond these amazing achievements, the most significant, however, is her sincere and genuine smile, infectious laugh and the positive energy behind it that had such an impact on so many during her life with us. She was the rock that drew the best out of all of us. She was a force of nature that we will all miss. Her spirit will stay alive in all of the hearts she touched. Energy doesn’t die, it transfers."

A note from Andrew Schauer at the Chugach National Forest Avalanche Center:

"[Wendy] shared with us at our last staff meeting just last week, that people had been asking her what’s on her bucket list? She said the only thing she wanted to do was “work at the avalanche center with all of us”. She has built something remarkable, and we are lucky to be able to carry the torch. Wendy set an incredibly high standard for trust and respect among our team and within our community. During her 15 seasons at the avalanche center, she built a solid foundation of partnerships and systems that will benefit our community well into the future. See Andrew's full note here.

A few stats about Wendy:

- She started at CNFAC during the 2010/11 season

- 742 forecasts

- First Chugach Avy fx: 02/06/2011

- Final Chugach Avy fx: 04/13/2025 (High danger, P1: Storm Slab/ P2: Deep Slab!)

- 452 observations

- First Chugach Avy Obs: Seattle Creek 11/20/2011

- Final Chugach Avy Obs: Seattle Creek 3/15/2025"

Thanks to the sponsors of the show.

Legacy Sponsors:

Darren Johnson Avalanche Education Memorial Fund

AVSS

Drone Amplified

Partner Sponsors:

CIL Avalanche

Safeback

onX Backcountry

Episode Sponsor:

IPA Collective

Music: Ketsa

Artwork: Mike Tea 

Production: Caleb Merrill, Bob Keating 

Our November episode special is out now! Caleb Merrill sits down with Jayne Thompson Nolan with the American Avalanche Association (‘The A3’) and Dom Baker is back to chat with Joe Obad from the Canadian Avalanche Association (‘CAA’)

Our avalanche associations are the web that holds us all together. If you are a current or aspiring professional, or a member of the avalanche community, please consider supporting with a donation or becoming a member at:

A3 Membership: https://www.americanavalancheassociation.org/membership-levels

CAA Membership: https://www.avalancheassociation.ca/page/Member_Categories

Updates from the A3 include:

1. A3 Upcoming Events: https://www.americanavalancheassociation.org/events

2. A3 Supported Resilience Project & Grants 

3. Women’s Avalanche Network - Webinar Dec 3rd, to register for the Substack channel for updates visit here: https://womensavalanchenetwork.substack.com/

4. Welcoming new A3 staff and board members

5. Advocacy and partnership efforts between the A3 and public backcountry avalanche centers to garner support in the face of budget cuts

6. Recreation education restructuring

7. PRO 2 industry assessment results and changes 

Updates from the CAA include: 

1. New president, Wren McElroy

2. Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Opportunities: https://www.avalancheassociation.ca/page/CPD_Opportunities

3. Spring Conference May 6th-8th in Penticton, BC 

4. Highlights on the CAA Industry Training Program (ITP) 

5. Developments with the InfoEx 

6. CAA is on socials - Instagram & Facebook to stay up to date

Thanks to the sponsors of the show.

Legacy Sponsors:

Darren Johnson Avalanche Education Memorial Fund

AVSS

Drone Amplified

Partner Sponsors:

CIL Avalanche

Safeback

onX Backcountry

Music: Ketsa

Artwork: Mike Tea 

Production: Caleb Merrill, Bob Keating 

In Episode 10.4, Kim Vinet sits down with Johanna Wagstaffe for a conversation about the weather! Tune in for a great episode as two friends get together to talk about weather forecasting and assessing risk in the mountains. 

Kim and Johanna attended university together and studied earth and atmospheric sciences. Johanna went on to work for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) as an on-air weather personality. Johanna is an expert science communicator and gives tips on using storytelling to unravel complex weather information to the public. There’s something for everyone in this episode as they unpack technical terms in easy-to-understand language and even hint at what climate change means for the future of avalanche forecasting.

Johanna is a meteorologist, seismologist and science reporter for CBC News. With a background in seismology and earth science, she has covered national and international weather stories, including major earthquakes, hurricanes and wildfires. She has also hosted several award-winning CBC science podcasts and is now working on climate and science explainer videos for the CBC. 

Johanna is a master of explainer video. Check out her YouTube playlist describing everything from the jet stream, to snowpack and trees or how the weather is changing with a changing climate. Planet Wonder is a series about discovering nature and hopefully inspiring people to want to protect it. Her newest project Here's Why, describes the latest in global weather events on a changing planet.

Highlights of the interview: 

Thanks to the sponsors of the show.

Legacy Sponsors:

Darren Johnson Avalanche Education Memorial Fund

AVSS

Drone Amplified

Partner Sponsors:

CIL Avalanche

Safeback

onX Backcountry

Episode Sponsor:

Arva Equipment 

Music: Ketsa

Artwork: Mike Tea 

Production: Caleb Merrill, Bob Keating