By Caleb Merrill
Podcast by Caleb Merrill
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
It's been a rough week. I hope you can smile while remembering Matt Primomo through listening to our interview from a few years ago. We lost another great human and avalanche professional last week- Nick Burks. A...
In this episode, Caleb sits down with Jayson Simons-Jones. We chat about Jayson's career as an IFMGA Mountain Guide, a guide service owner, an avalanche educator, and now his new role as the Recreation Education Manager for the American...
Ep 8.20 Mentorship and community building What is mentorship? How does it strengthen a community? Is mentorship even the right word? Let’s dive in… Backcountry skiing and riding can be an intimidating sport to get into. ...
In this episode, Caleb sits down with forecaster Blase Reardon. Blase talks about his experiences public avalanche forecasting at the Sawtooth Avalanche Center, CAIC, and the Flathead Avalanche Center where he is currently the Director. He reflects on...
In this episode, Sean Zimmerman-Wall sits down with John Littleton. John's passion is teaching people about snow science and how to travel safely in the mountains. He is a US Navy Veteran and an American Institute for Avalanche Research &...
Sunshine is a certified ski guide, avalanche educator, river guide, father, and husband who currently lives in Colorado's Roaring Fork Valley. He talks about his early days of backcountry skiing in Colorado before exploring Oregon's Wallowa Mountains as a...
EPISODE 8.16 Experience a unique adventure in this episode as Tele Mike and Brooke take us from the exhilarating rush of heated side-by-sides to the awe-inspiring helicopter rides over Alaska's snowy peaks. This episode isn't just about skiing; it's a profound...
EPISODE 8.15 Martin Heuberger and daughter Anna(featured in episode 6.15) joins Matthias for an in-depth conversation. They explore the journey of this pioneering Austrian who ventured into the Canadian Rockies for heli-skiing. Heuberger delves into the challenges he faced in...
In this episode, I sit down with Josh Jespersen. Josh is the deputy director of operations at the Silverton Avalanche School, an IFMGA guide, and a former Navy Seal. We talk about his experience transitioning to civilian life,...
In this episode, we start the hour by chatting with Joel Gratz, head meteorologist and founder of OpenSnow. Joel tells us why he started OpenSnow and how it can help streamline your weather analysis process to help lead you...
EPISODE 8.12 Devin Gaan In this episode, Brooke sits down with Devin Gaan who uses the pronouns she/her/they/them. She is a Hong Konger, trans, queer, and an artist, who also recently became a student again. She was raised in Hong Kong...
In this installment of The Avalanche Hour Podcast; Wes Gregg has a chat with ski film legend, farmer, and father Chris Rubens. Rubens has been a globally recognized professional skier for the past two decades. Truly dedicated to the...
In this episode, host Sean Zimmerman-Wall sits down with Emilie Drinkwater. Emilie is an AMGA/IFMGA Mountain Guide based in Salt Lake City, Utah but born and raised in New Hampshire. She guides year round, instructs pro and recreational avalanche...
Caleb starts out this episode catching up with Jayne Thompson-Nolan, the Executive Director of the American Avalanche Association. She lets us know about some updates and initiatives of the A3. Katie Warren drops in to chat about some...
Caleb sits down with Jon Ferrian. Jon loves to snowmobile. He has been riding his whole life and has a strong passion for spreading the word about backcountry safety amongst a greater audience on his live-streamed podcast, Live...
Whether we are celebrating, processing, or grieving an event in the mountains, many of us reach for a drink to help us along the way. Alcohol is steeped in our culture as a whole, but can become especially amplified...
Known as the ‘Godfather Of Freeskiing’, Mike Douglas is consistently listed by media outlets as one of the most influential skiers of all time. He began his career as a mogul skier on the Canadian Freestyle Ski Team in the...
In this episode, Caleb sits down with Rob Coppolillo. Rob is an IFMGA guide, avalanche educator, and author of The Ski Guide Manual (among other titles). Rob talks about his progression to become a pinned mountain guide,...
Part 2 of Caleb Merril and Dom Baker’s conversation with Eirik Sharp – the President of the Canadian Avalanche Association (CAA). In part 2 Eirik shares his experiences from a diverse career in almost every corner of the avalanche...
Caleb Merril and Dom Baker are joined by Eirik Sharp – the President of the Canadian Avalanche Association (CAA). CAA is the professional organization that ensures a high standard of practice for avalanche workers in Canada. The CAA...
In this episode, Dr. Sara Boilen sits down with Caleb to discuss the broad topic of human factors. We explore the concept that acknowledgment and awareness of our human factors (the perception of our situation and environment, cognitive biases,...
Today's episode features Peter Bilous. Peter is a yankee who resides in Wanaka, New Zealand. He has spent 70-plus seasons playing and working in the snow. He has ski tour and heli-ski guided all across the globe...
It’s the season opener of the podcast…Welcome back! In this episode, Caleb sits down with Ken Wylie. Ken is an IFMGA guide who works extensively in the field of human hazard management. His business, Archetypal works with...
As Season 7 of the podcast comes to an end, this episode is a bit of a smorgasbord of guests. First we hear from Dara Miles who reached out after hearing the Avalanche Terrain Exposure Scale episode. Dara...
In today's episode, we're thrilled to host Melis Coady, who has just triumphantly wrapped up her 7th season as the executive director of the Alaska Avalanche School. With over two decades of experience in the challenging fields of mountaineering and...
In this episode, we explore the Avalanche Terrain Exposure Scale (ATES). We speak to Grant Statham, who developed ATES while working for Parks Canada. Grant discusses its development, creation of ATES ratings maps, and its evolution. Next, we talk to...
EPISODE 7.20 Chic Scott is a renowned mountain adventurer, guide, and author who has been exploring high places for over 50 years. Born in Calgary in 1945, Chic is a fourth-generation Albertan and a third-generation Calgarian with a family history of...
On today's episode, we have the pleasure of speaking with Kate Koons, a highly respected professional in the Avalanche industry. Kate is a resident of Victor, Idaho, and holds several critical positions in the field. She is a pro instructor...
On today's show, we're joined by Iain Stewart-Patterson. He is a Professor Emeritus and was one of the founding members of the Adventure Studies Department at Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops BC. From his start as an Outward Bound instructor...
Join guest host, Brooke “Shiny” Edwards in an intimate conversation exploring the literacy of loss through the different lenses of nervous system regulation and incident support as she takes a deep dive into the mental wellness toolbox with professional counselor...
In this instalment of The Avalanche Hour Podcast; Dom Baker interviews the legendary Dr. Bruce Jaimeson. Bruce has been working with avalanches for over 40 years, and providing training since 1985. Bruce headed the ASARC (Applied Snow and Avalanche Research)...
In this episode, Caleb sits down with Dallas Glass, Deputy Director of the Northwest Avalanche Center. Somebody get him a badge! Dallas talks about his progression as a skier, patroller, mountain guide, educator, and avalanche forecaster. He...
In this installment of The Avalanche Hour Podcast; Wes Gregg interviews Erin Tierney the President of the CSGA as the second installment of the 'Who is the ACMG? Who is the CSGA? Erin has worked in the avalanche industry since...
In this episode, Wes Gregg has a chat with ACMG Technical Director, Mike Adolph. This conversation is based on the concept of providing listeners an opportunity to hear directly from the source how the Technical Assessment Program works and...
Simon Trautman grew up running around in hay fields outside of Lander, Wyoming. Following a stint as a US Navy Corpsman, he earned a BS in Geology at Western Washington University and an MS in Earth Science from Montana State...
Jenna works at Alta as a part time ski patroller, at Powderbird Heli Skiing as a tailguide, and as an instructor for the American Avalanche Institute. She also works as a PA in Neurosurgery, Trauma, and Critical Care at Intermountain...
Episode 7.10 In Episode 7.10, I sit down with Garrett and Joe from Propagation Labs. Propagation Labs carries the torch of the work that these two helped out with during their time as engineers at Avatech. Joe and Garrett...
In Episode 7.10, Sean Zimmerman - Wall interviews Anna Keeling. Anna goes deep in this episode about her experiences as a mountain guide, shifting industry culture, living your values, and connecting with the wild environs we hold so...
I sat down with the authors and editor of the latest volume of The Snowy Torrents book. This book chronicles avalanche accidents that occurred in the US during the decade of 1986-1996. We discuss how the book can...
In Episode 7.9 of the Avalanche Hour podcast, Matthias Walcher and Paul Dobesberger from the Austrian Association for Snow and Avalanches talk to Walter Steinkogler, the COO of Wyssen Avalanche Control about avalanche mitigation strategies in Europe and North America....
Upcoming Event- Live Podcast On Thursday December 15th 7PM MST by Caleb Merrill
Episode 7.8 features and interview with Patty Morrison. Patty has been a long time ski patroller, avalanche forecaster, and avalanche educator at Stevens Pass Ski Resort in Washington. We chat about Patty's path of her career in ski...
Host Dom Baker is back with Episode 5.6! We get a great early season update from Grant Helgeson of Avalanche Canada. Following that, Dom sits down with Tyson Rettie. Tyson is a ski guide and avalanche professional....
In this episode, Caleb sits down with Jared Drake, Steven Siig, and Jim Plehn. Jared and Steve are co-producers and co-directors of the recently released documentary Buried: The 1982 Alpine Meadows Avalanche. Jim Plehn was an avalanche forecaster...
In this episode, I sit down with Jordy Shepherd. Jordy is an ACMG/IFMGA mountain guide and CAA Professional Member based in Canmore, Alberta. In his diverse career he has worked as a BC Park Ranger, National Park Warden and...
