In our twelve episode of season 2, we talk to Michael Silitch of the BRASS Foundation. BRASS is the Bryce and Ronnie Athlete Snow Safety Foundation, and is responsible for bringing high quality avalanche education to ski racing programs around the country. Michael is also an IFMGA certified guide, and shares some insight from his guiding career. Enjoy!

Episode 2.11 features Lynne Wolfe. Lynne is a longtime avalanche educator and guide in the Tetons. She is also the editor of The Avalanche Review publication for the A3. We talk about her background, some of her mentors, as well as what goes in to putting the publication that ties our community together. If you are like me, keep a dictionary close by because her vocabulary is more extensive than mine! Enjoy!

Our First installment of Slabs and Sluff. What is that you say? We will release episodes of short stories of listeners recounting close calls with the white dragon. Want to submit something? Reach out to me [email protected]. This episode comes from Matt Vial of Anchorage Alaska. Enjoy.

In Episode 2.10, we chat with Mike Rheam, who is the head of the snow safety department at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort and a forecaster for the Bridger Teton Avalanche Center. We chatted in November in the Avalanche Lab at JHMR while Mike highlighted some of the inner workings of the forecasting process for both the ski area and the backcountry. He talks about the variety of different avalanche mitigation tools available to his team, as well as shares some stories and advice to younger avalanche workers. We also chat with Jon Coppi from Black Diamond about some great PIEPS products. Hope you enjoy!

In Episode 2.9, we sit down with Weston Deutschlander. Wes is holding on to the free heel tradition as he works as an avalanche educator and guide. We talk about a close call he had while cat ski guiding last year and process some of the factors that went into that day. Enjoy!

In this episode, we sit down with Karl Birkeland. Karl is the director of the National Avalanche Center and adjunct professor for Montana State University's Snow Science program. Karl has found a balance as a researcher, educator, and practitioner. We talk to Karl about the history and evolution of snowpack tests, and he gives us some insight about where he thinks these tests might move in the future. Karl then shares some formative experiences that he has had with avalanches- that have helped shaped his career path. Enjoy!

This episode explores where you would fit into the new avalanche education paradigm. We sit down with Sarah Carpenter of The American Avalanche Institute as we discuss the history of AAI, what types of avalanche courses they offer, and how they recommend implementing a systems based approach to recreating in backcountry avalanche terrain. Hold on tight.....you might just learn something.

Just a quick Holiday Greeting from all of us at The Avalanche Hour Podcast, ok...let's be honest- It's really just me.....and Arlo the dog. Oh- And listen to this to see how you can win a pair of Black Diamond Legend Gloves. Check it!

Part 2- the conclusion- of Episode 2.6 with Jake Thelen and Sam Kapacinskas recount rescue efforts, communication confusion, and the aftermath of The Birthday Chutes Avalanche.

On December 19th, 2016 in the White Pine drainage of Little Cottonwood Canyon, UT, two friends triggered a large deep slab avalanche as the sun was setting on the far side of the Salt Lake Valley. Tune in as we interview survivors Jake Thelen and Sam Kapacinskas as they share their story of a very bad day in the backcountry.