We start out episode 5.2 by hearing an update from the A3 Executive Director, Dan Kaveney. Dan talks about what is new for A3 in the 20/21 season. We then dive into a great talk with Laura McGladrey. Laura is a family and psychiatric Nurse Practitioner who specializes in emergency medicine, mental health, and traumatic stress. She is a veteran NOLS instructor, is embedded on a couple ski patrols, works with high level search and rescue groups in national parks, and is an avid outdoor recreator. We talk about what factors can contribute to what are known as Stress Injuries and how we can better detect and deal with them. This can certainly be a tough subject to broach, but Laura does a great job in breaking it down. There are some other resources noted in the episode that are referenced below. Music on this episode by Chris Kaplinski and Ketsa.

• Pre-Traumatic Stress Management Article by Starr Jamison The Avalanche Review Page 30:

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/59d2a0f0e9bfdf20d6d654b7/t/5e909a92af304074e895eae8/1586535077740/TAR_38-4_Low.pdf

• American Alpine Club Climbing Grief Fund https://americanalpineclub.org/grieffund

• Responder Alliance Resources

https://www.responderalliance.com/copy-of-urban-fire-ems

- Trauma Screening Questionaire

https://www.everyonegoeshome.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2014/04/FLSI13TSQ.pdf

In the season opener of Season 5, we chat with a pioneer of mechanized avalanche education. Mike Duffy has been teaching mechanized specific avalanche education for over 25 years. Mike is also a product developer and ambassador for Backcountry Access. We review the proper way to do a trailhead beacon check, talk about how COVID may impact the backcountry, and some ways mechanized users can implement better group management. Music: Strapped and Growing Resistance by Shoalin Dub as well as Hot-Box by Ketsa. Enjoy!

In the final episode of Season 4, I chat with Susan Purvis. Susan is an explorer, educator and author of the bestselling adventure memoir, Go Find:

My Journey to Find the Lost—And Myself. I talk with Susan about the book, and her experience as an avalanche dog handler in Crested Butte Colorado. She explains the process she went through to certify her canine, Tasha....But even more, she talks about the aspects of dealing with small town politics, mentorship, personal relationships, all will finding a truer version of her self.

Music by Ketsa: One Eye. Shaolin Dub: Sunlight Dub.

www.susanpurvis.com

Episode 4.21 features Andrew Schauer. Andrew completed the undergraduate and graduate degrees in the Snow Science Program of the Earth Science Department at Montana State University. Andrew talks to us about how his research could help the snow and avalanche community better understand what climatic patterns are leading to destructive deep slab cycles. He talks about an efficient way to process large data sets, as well as a couple close calls that left his hair standing up. Musical tracks: Morning Cup by Ketsa and Blessed by Shaolin Dub. Enjoy.

It's episode 4.20, man. This episode features Alex Marienthal. Alex obtained both BS and MS degrees in the Snow Science Program at Montana State University. We chat with Alex about his graduate research regarding better forecasting for deep slab avalanches. Alex shares with us some of the ways he tries to communicate complex problems in a concise way within his forecasts. He also recounts some experiences in his career that he doesn't plan on forgetting. Hope you enjoy. Music by Ketsa

This episode highlights Kevin Hammonds. Kevin is a professor at Montana State University in the Civil Engineering department. He is also the current director of the Sub Zero Lab at MSU. Kevin is a great example of someone who is dedicated to merging theory and practice within our field of interest and curiosity. Kevin dives into what is involved in the lab, and some of the interesting research that is going on as well. Tunes by Ketsa: "Thinking Free" and "Peace Out".

In this episode, we highlight an interview with Dr. Jerry Johnson, a political science professor at Montana State University. We talk about some of the factors that Jerry feels like are contributing to good decision making in backcountry winter sports. He talks about his involvement with the White Heat Project, and how we can learn about making decisions from other professions, and much more. Music on this track: "Wizard" by Sunsquabi and "Afternoon Soul" by Gramatik.

Link to White Heat Project

In this episode, we chat with Dr. Jordy Hendrikx- Director of the Snow and Avalanche Lab at Montana State University. Jordy talks about the path that led him to his current role at MSU. He talks about what a potential applicant might want to focus on before starting an application to the program. We also chat about some of the current research going on in the program as well as the high caliber employment that graduates are finding in the snow and avalanche arena. We hope you enjoy this episode. Music: Ketsa "Upfronts" and "Sun Inside".

Keeping up with Jeremy Jones: Positional preferences and risky terrain choices: https://arc.lib.montana.edu/snow-science/item/2838

In this episode, we hear from Doug Richmond. Doug is a career ski patroller who started out at Sugarbowl in Lake Tahoe and skipped around a bit before settling in to his home at Bridger Bowl. Doug talks about the fundamentals of working in the avalanche environment, what has kept him and his team safe during avalanche mitigation mornings, and what makes a good ski patroller. Doug shares a couple of great stories to round out the hour. Enjoy. Music by Ketsa.

In this episode, we hear the story of Don Bachman's career in the snow and avalanche world. From ski patrolling to avalanche forecasting for highways, infrastructure, and athletic events, Don recounts lessons learned, mentorships, and a few stories along the way. We hope you enjoy. Music by Ketsa and Lobo Loco.