This episode features an interview with Karin Pocock. Karin Pocock shares her journey in the avalanche industry, discussing her experiences in both Canada and the U.S. She reflects on a pivotal avalanche incident that shaped her career and emphasizes the importance of education and training in avalanche safety. Karin also highlights the unique culture at the Silverton Avalanche School and addresses the challenges of being a female leader in a male-dominated field, advocating for inclusivity and support for future generations. In this conversation, Karin Pocock discusses the importance of hiring based on skill rather than gender, the challenges of navigating confidence and competence in high-risk avalanche work, and the significance of managing stress in demanding environments. She shares her experiences discovering the value of pushing personal limits through bike pack racing, and the necessity of fostering healthy conflict within teams. Additionally, she emphasizes the importance of education in avalanche science and the need for a supportive and empowering workplace culture.

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Music: ⁠Ketsa⁠

Art: ⁠Mike Tea⁠

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In this episode of the Avalanche Hour podcast, Caleb speaks with meteorologist Joel Gratz- founder of Open Snow, about the importance of weather forecasting for skiing and how it pertains to avalanche conditions. They unpack how much to weigh El Nino and La Nina on winter weather predictions, and Joel walks us through what goes into a forecast from OpenSnow. Joel shares insights into the features of Open Snow and discusses the intricacies of weather forecasting, particularly in relation to snow prediction. He explains the importance of the five-day window for making accurate forecasts and delves into the development and functionality of various weather models. Gratz highlights the significance of resolution in forecasting accuracy and introduces the role of AI in enhancing predictions. He also emphasizes the value of using multiple models for better accuracy and provides resources for those interested in learning more about weather and forecasting.

Resources:

Secrets of the Greatest Snow on Earth: Weather, Climate Change, and Finding Deep Powder in Utah's Wasatch Mountains and around the World By Jim Steenburgh

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Music: Ketsa

Art: Mike Tea

Support for this episode was provided by:

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Ken Wylie is a Human Hazard Management innovator, formerly an IFMGA guide, and author of the book Buried.  Ken’s company, Archetypal, provides high-resolution self-awareness tools for people who work in High Potential Consequence (HPC) environments across several industries.  In this conversation, Guest host Brooke Shiny Edwards takes a deeper dive into the heart of Ken Wylie and the vision he has for (HPC) Avalanche Workers and the adventure industry.  We recommend reminding yourself of Ken’s background by re-visiting last year’s episode 8.1 when Caleb has Ken take the audience through the infamous 2003 tragedy of La Traviata.  In this episode, Shiny and Wylie explore more of the insights to be harvested from that tragedy: the archetypes of disaster and safety,  avenues of self-growth that can inform our decision making and how to embrace our shadow and light within, which may indeed be the greatest opportunity yet to embody our highest selves and manage the human factor castle. 

So grab a cup of tea, a blanket and snuggle up by the fire for a deep and open hearted philosophical journey that hopefully guides you to integral moments of self-reflection that might help you stay safe this season.

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Music: Ketsa

Art: Mike Tea

Resources:

Support for this episode was provided by:

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⁠Beacon Guidebooks: use code AVSAR to save 25% off the popular Avalanche Search and Rescue: A Backcountry Field Guide

In this episode of the Avalanche Hour, host Jake Hutchinson sits down with Gabrielle Antonioli, a forecaster for the Bridger Teton Avalanche Center and founder of the A3’s Resilience Project. They discuss Gabrielle's journey into avalanche forecasting, the importance of mental health support in the avalanche community, and the need for inclusive avalanche education for motorized users. The conversation also delves into the unique challenges of forecasting on the Going to the Sun Road, highlighting the complexities of forecasting for wet snow natural avalanches.  In this conversation, Gabrielle and Hutch discuss the importance of mentorship and community, and emphasize the need for a supportive environment for future generations.

The Fundamental Process in Conventional Avalanche Forecasting by Ed LaChapelle

We hope you enjoy the conversation.

Music: Ketsa 

Art: Mike Tea

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In this episode guest host Jason Antin sits down with Vince Anderson.  Vince shares his journey from growing up in Golden, Colorado, to becoming a prominent figure in the alpine climbing and guiding communities. He discusses his early experiences with climbing and skiing, the early days of the AMGA, and the evolution of avalanche education. In this conversation, he discusses the evolution of educational practices in guiding, reflecting on his own experiences and the changes he has witnessed over the years. He shares key turning points in his career, including influential mentors and pivotal moments that shaped his development as a guide. The discussion also delves into the challenges of balancing parenthood with a career in guiding, highlighting the complexities of risk management and decision-making in the mountains. 

Skyward Mountaineering

Art: Mike Tea

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⁠Propagation Labs⁠

We start this episode with Jayne Thompson-Nolan stopping by to give us an update from the American Avalanche Association (A3). She highlights some of the initiatives and achievements from the last year, provides some member updates, and talks about opportunities for grants, scholarships, and continuing education.

We then launch into an interview with IFMGA guide Evan Stevens. Evan is the owner of Zenith Mountain Guides in Squamish, BC. Originally from New York, Evan has always felt a strong pull to climbing and skiing and landed a job with the Utah Avalanche Center after completing college in Vermont. Evan reflects on some pivotal learning moments from some influential mentors during his time at the UAC. We chat about some of the similarities and differences in the structure of guide education and progression in the United States and Canada. Evan talks about the importance of understanding the resolution of the avalanche forecast that you may be utilizing to plan your day. He describes why he and one of his partners started a newsletter: The Weekly South Coast Ski Conditions Report and how it can help local riders add value to the AvCan forecast.

We hope you enjoy!

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Safeback

Music: Age Diamante

Zenith Mountain Guides

In this episode of The Avalanche Hour, host Sean welcomes special guest Jess Shade. A high-altitude ski mountaineer, queer woman, and licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor in Utah and Michigan. Jess brings a unique blend of personal experience and professional expertise to discuss the intricate relationship between mental health and mountain environments.

Together, they delve into the mindsets of those who inhabit the mountains, exploring therapy-based ideas that help individuals process daily events, inclusion, and trauma. Jess shares insights on the changing culture regarding mental health in the snow world, highlighting tools like the Responder Alliance’s Stress Continuum and principles from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to promote resilience and psychological flexibility.

They also discuss Jess’s work with organizations like the American Alpine Club’s Climbing Grief Fund and the Utah Avalanche Center, as well as her involvement with Utah’s LGBTQ+ community through the LGBTQ+ Affirmative Therapist Guild of Utah.

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Episode 9.2: Dr. Sara Boilen Interviews Cody Townsend.

Cody Townsend discusses The Fifty Project , a web series documenting his attempt to climb and ski all 50 classic ski descents of North America. He reflects on the transition from being seen as a fearless, ego-driven skier to showcasing vulnerability and the behind-the-scenes reality of the sport. Cody shares his experience of a traumatic trip in Alaska where he encountered his limits and felt overwhelmed by fear. He discusses the consequences of risk-taking and the importance of pushing oneself and embracing failure. Cody Townsend reflects on the importance of encountering fear and discomfort to live a richer, more three-dimensional life. He discusses how challenging situations in the mountains can lead to contentment and a deeper appreciation for everyday life. However, he also acknowledges the need to balance risk-taking with its consequences on oneself and the community. Townsend emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and self-analysis in decision-making, as well as the need to prioritize coming home at the end of the day. He discusses how becoming a parent has shifted his perspective and made him reevaluate the level of risk he is willing to take. Townsend plans to regain trust in himself by slowly reintegrating into the mountains without putting pressure on himself.

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Fall is here and winter is right around the corner! Welcome back to Season 9 of The Avalanche Hour Podcast.

In today's episode, Caleb sits down with IFMGA guide and co-founder/CEO of Aspect Avy, Jeff Banks. Jeff's mission in life is to help people do dangerous things -the safest way possible. He's happiest when he's in the mountain mountains helping people live long & adventurous lives.

Jeff has a 20+ year career working as an avalanche professional in the realms of avalanche forecasting, explosive work, and guiding. Jeff is an AMGA instructor team member and examiner in addition to the avalanche training he teaches to the US Special Forces. He has spent 16 winters guiding and skiing in Chamonix, has been a US Ski Mountaineering Champion, and former head coach of Colorado's Olympic Development Nordic Team. Jeff lives in Crested Butte, Colorado with his daughter.

Jeff and Caleb chat about some pivotal moments in Jeff's career that gave him pause about the amount of risk he was taking on while skiing and ski guiding in avalanche terrain. This spurred him to think about a better way to approach traveling in and near avalanche terrain. Aspect Avy was born out of this and Jeff unpacks what this new tool has to offer to winter backcountry enthusiasts.

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Gordini

Open Snow

Propagation Labs

Check out the ski that Jeff helped design with Romp Skis. The Romp Shepard 99 was designed to meet his needs as a mountain guide. From deep powder to steep frozen corn -They're his all time favorite ski in every condition. It's what the U.S. Special Forces use & about 20 of his guests. They will change your skiing & possibly alter the course of your life.

OTHER LINKS:

The Avalanche Hour Podcast Listener Survey

Avalanche Education Scholarships- Deadlines Approaching!

Darren Johnson Avalanche Education Memorial Fund (deadline October 9th)

American Avalanche Association (A3) Education Scholarships

US Fall Snow and Avalanche Workshop Schedule