“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
Partner Sponsors:
Episode Sponsor:
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
Partner Sponsors:
Episode Sponsor:
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:
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, hello@mountaincism.ca or the Dispatch Line (for immediate support): 604-670-2772
- Mountain Muskox
- 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 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
Partner Sponsors:
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
Partner Sponsors:
Episode Sponsor:
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
Partner Sponsors:
Episode Sponsor:
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
Partner Sponsors:
Episode Sponsor:
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
Partner Sponsors:
Episode Sponsor:
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:
A3 Upcoming Events: https://www.americanavalancheassociation.org/events
A3 Supported Resilience Project & Grants
Women’s Avalanche Network - Webinar Dec 3rd, to register for the Substack channel for updates visit here: https://womensavalanchenetwork.substack.com/
Welcoming new A3 staff and board members
Advocacy and partnership efforts between the A3 and public backcountry avalanche centers to garner support in the face of budget cuts
Recreation education restructuring
PRO 2 industry assessment results and changes
Updates from the CAA include:
New president, Wren McElroy
Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Opportunities: https://www.avalancheassociation.ca/page/CPD_Opportunities
Spring Conference May 6th-8th in Penticton, BC
Highlights on the CAA Industry Training Program (ITP)
Developments with the InfoEx
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
Partner Sponsors:
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
Partner Sponsors:
Episode Sponsor:
Music: Ketsa
Artwork: Mike Tea
Production: Caleb Merrill, Bob Keating
In the second installment of our monthly Slabs & Sluff series, hosts Sara Boilen and Dom Baker dig into some particularly striking nuggets from this past month’s episodes and look forward to the season ahead.
Slabs and Sluffs is a monthly round up of all things related to The Avalanche Hour podcast and our community more broadly. October is the month of getting ready for the winter season. Join Sara and Dom as they dig into some of the gems from October’s episodes and talk about getting mind and body ready for the upcoming winter season.
Some highlights from the conversation:
Normalization of Deviance - risk normalization and how it affects decision making.
Possible and Probably - how words hold (or don’t hold) well-defined meaning.
October episode recap and highlighting of upcoming episodes for November.
Physical preparation tips from Physio Lori Anne Donald of @mountainsportsclinic
Resources & links mentioned in the episode:
Lori Anne suggested exercise, single leg pallof press on YouTube
Skeena Cat Skiing & Boarding AIARE 2 + Avalanche Rescue Trip
When Doing Wrong Feels So Right: Normalization of Deviance
Call us to be featured on the next Slabs n’ Sluff Episode!
What are you doing to prepare for the season ahead? Are you attending SAWs, are you digging out your avalanche gear and practicing? What apps are you using? What long-range forecasts are you believing… We’d love to hear from you, our community, for Slabs and Sluffs 3 dropping Oct 29. Voicemail hotline: 1-541-406-0221
Thanks to the sponsors of the show.
Legacy Sponsors:
Darren Johnson Avalanche Education Memorial Fund
Partner Sponsors:
Music: Ketsa
Artwork: Mike Tea
Production: Caleb Merrill, Bob Keating
In Episode 10.3, Jake Hutchinson sits down with Tom Kimbrough to bring us our first Bio of a Legend this season.
Roshi is the Japanese word for “zen master” or “old master.” For a generation or two of Wasatch avalanche hunters, Tom is both the old master and the zen master. His holistic approach to assessing risk in snow covered mountains is a culmination of a life as a curious avalanche hunter, public forecaster, climbing ranger and avalanche educator.
Tom’s career spans work on the Alpine Meadows and Alta Ski Patrols, a Jenny Lake Climbing Ranger, forecaster at the Utah Avalanche Center and instructor for the American Avalanche Institute. One of the first things Kimbrough learned about climbing was that climbers tended to be skiers in the winter. After a season on the lift crew at Badger Pass in Yosemite he graduated to the ski patrol. Soon he was patrolling at Alpine Meadows in Tahoe. Alta was next on his list and in 1987 he began working for the Utah Avalanche Center. He finished his avalanche career with Rod Newcomb’s American Avalanche Institute.
In this episode, Jake and Tom talk about:
The 1982 Alpine Meadows Avalanche Accident
Humility in the mountains
Zen and the art of avalanche forecasting
A note from Jake: “More than once we mention Rod Newcomb in this episode. Between sitting down with Tom and the release of this episode, we lost Rod at the ripe old age of 91. Rod was a friend, mentor and pioneer in our industry. He shaped avalanche education in the US and was the first to see the need for pro specific education. His influence on Tom, myself and so many others cannot be overstated. A long life fully lived, thanks for everything Rod.”
Thanks to the sponsors of the show.
Legacy Sponsors:
Darren Johnson Avalanche Education Memorial Fund
Partner Sponsors:
Episode Sponsor:
Music: Ketsa
Artwork: Mike Tea
Production: Caleb Merrill, Bob Keating
Bruce Jamieson’s interview with Scott Thumlert revolves around Scott’s career in avalanche research, guiding, as well as planning and engineering. Scott recounts anecdotes during his graduate studies of the stress in the snowpack under skiers and snowmobiles, and implications for tests like the extended column test. He discusses a more recent interest in improving the communication of avalanche likelihood and identifies some challenges in developing a new rating system. One of the challenges is validating the frequency of human-triggered avalanches. Specifically, when human-triggered avalanches are more likely, avalanche practitioners and winter recreationists avoid more avalanche terrain, so the number of avalanches available for validating may not increase as predicted. Scott also outlines the potential role of artificial intelligence in improving avalanche forecasting, but feels manual field work will continue to be needed. With colleagues, Scott is working on hazard mapping projects and related research into the effect of forest fires on extreme avalanche runout and hazard mapping for residential areas. As the chair of the technical committee for the 2026 International Snow Science Workshop, Scott outlines a new strategy – developed by the conference organizers - for merging theory and practice and how they plan to get more practitioners presenting case studies and applied research.
Key Insights
Scott’s graduate research focused on measuring the stress in the snowpack exerted by skiers and snowmobiles, highlighting the relationship between stress levels and triggering of slab avalanches.
Effective communication of avalanche likelihood remains a challenge, with more ratings needed for lower levels of avalanche likelihood. While there is promise for improved validation of likelihood ratings, human triggering – which is very important – will remain more difficult than validating the frequency (and likelihood) of natural avalanches.
Artificial intelligence has the potential to enhance avalanche forecasting by improving data analysis, but Scott feels avalanche practitioners will still be required to verify the forecast.
The International Snow Science Workshop aims to merge theory and practice, encouraging practitioners to share real-world case studies and applied research.
What motivated Scott to pursue a career in snow and avalanches?
Scott’s passion for backcountry skiing and the influence of the ASARC program at the University of Calgary inspired him to apply his engineering background to a variety of topics that currently challenge avalanche practitioners.
How does stress in snowpacks relate to avalanche likelihood?
Thumlert’s research demonstrated that the stress exerted by skiers and snowmobiles increases with the penetration depth of the skis or snowmobile. He explains how snowpack tests like the Extended Column Test are more indicative of the stress under skiers and snowmobiles when the upper snowpack is soft than when it is hard.
What role does artificial intelligence play in avalanche forecasting?
AI can enhance forecasting capabilities by analyzing large datasets and improving predictive models, but Scott doubts it will replace the need for field work to verify the forecast.
How can practitioners contribute to the International Snow Science Workshop?
Practitioners are encouraged to share their experiences through presentations or posters, with support available to help them prepare and present their case studies and findings effectively.
Legacy Level:
Darren Johnson Avalanche Education Memorial Fund
Partner Level:
Episode Sponsor:
Music: Ketsa
Art: Mike Tea
Production: Bob Keating, Caleb Merrill
In the first episode of Season 10, Dom Baker sits down with Kirk Mauthner. Kirk shares his journey from a childhood in the Columbia Valley to becoming an accomplished mountain guide and rescue expert. He discusses the influences that shaped his passion for mountaineering, the challenges he faced in his career, and the importance of safety and communication in rescue operations. Kirk also reflects on his innovative contributions to rescue equipment and shares memorable adventures in remote locations, including the Wall of Walls project with Will Gadd. Throughout the conversation, he emphasizes the significance of learning from experiences and the joy of exploring the mountains.
Thanks to the sponsors of the show:
Legacy Level Sponsors:
Darren Johnson Avalanche Education Memorial Fund
Partner Level Sponsors:
Episode Sponsor:
Music: Ketsa
Artwork: Mike Tea
Production: Bob Keating
Tune in to hear what we have in store for Season 10 of The Avalanche Hour Podcast .
This podcast is made possible through industry support: Thank you to the Darren Johnson Avalanche Education Memorial Fund, AVSS, Drone Amplified, CIL Avalanche, Safeback, and onX Backcountry.
The story goes that a young Lynne Wolfe persuaded Blase Reardon to get involved as The Avalanche Review's Assistant Editor many years ago. Lynne would go on to be the Editor of TAR for decades to come, bringing the publication and our community forward towards professional collaboration. In this episode, Brooke Maushund chats with Lynne as she celebrates publishing her final issue as TAR Editor and gets ready to pass the baton. In addition to being a longtime avalanche educator and Exum guide, Lynne is a charismatic connector in our industry: bringing people, ideas, and curiosities together.
With the job listing up at the time of this recording, we dive into Lynne’s time working behind the scenes on A3’s flagship publication. From changes to the nuts and bolts behind TAR, to lessons learned along the way, Lynne gives us an inside scoop on what it’s been like to put out a staple that can be found on every snow pro’s desk, coffee table, or…yes, even on the back of their toilets. As the search for the new TAR Editor continues, she tells us what she’d like that person to know: “Stand on my shoulders—I’ll help.”
If you want to hear more about Lynne’s illustrious career in addition to her work on The Avalanche Review, go back to Season 2, Episode 11 of the podcast when Lynne came on the show for the first time.
Resources & Links Mentioned:
• The Avalanche Hour Podcast 2.11: Lynne Wolfe
• Seeking Impeccability with Lynne Wolfe: Episode of The High Route Podcast
Crew:
• Host: Brooke Maushund (@brookemaush)
• Guest: (The one and only) Lynne Wolfe
• Producer: Caleb Merrill (@theavalanchehourpodcast)
Sponsors:
• Gordini
• PeakVisor (click here for a discount!)
• OpenSnow
🎶 Music by Ketsa: See Us, Sun Cometh
🎧 Episode Summary:
Spring is here, and with the avy-ed season wrapped up in Colorado, Jason sits down with renowned mountain guide and educator Mark Smiley to talk about his journey from the Midwest to the highest peaks, and his efforts to reshape mountain education.
Mark shares how his early experiences with Boy Scouts and road trips planted the seed for a lifetime of mountain exploration, and how a lack of mentorship early on drove him to build Mountain Sense—a platform designed to break down the barriers to learning essential mountain skills.
Together, they dive into:
Mark’s path to becoming an IFMGA guide (including passing his ski exam before ever being paid to guide on skis!)
Why he created Mountain Sense and what it means to “become the partner you seek”
The cultural differences between ski touring and climbing communities around risk and education
How online learning can supplement in-person avalanche education
Human factors, mentorship, and building trust in backcountry teams
Why storytelling, humor, and real-life experience matter more than PowerPoint slides
Mark also shares a recent near-miss avalanche incident in Canada and reflects on the decision-making traps that even seasoned professionals encounter.
Learn more about Mark’s courses at Mountain Sense
Follow Mark Smiley on Instagram: @smileysproject
Ready to become the partner you seek? Visit Mountain Sense to explore online masterclasses on avalanche safety, ski mountaineering, crevasse rescue, alpine climbing, and more.
Sponsors for this episode:
In this knowledge-packed episode, Brooke Maushund sits down with Janet Kellam, who received the American Avalanche Association Bernie Kingery Award for lifetime achievement at ISSW in 2023 after serving as the former Director of the Sawtooth Avalanche Center, President of the American Avalanche Association's board, and being involved in the early days of the USFS National Avalanche Center. She was also the first woman licensed ski guide in Idaho, the first woman president of A3, and the first woman director of an avalanche center.
Janet doesn’t just have decades of experience—she gained expertise in niche corners of the snow industry across the globe. From work as a winter specialist on a 1990 documentary film sailing to and spending 6 weeks skiing on the rarely visited Antarctica peninsula, to being a licensed backcountry and heli ski guide, Janet didn’t leave much idle time in her career. In this episode, Janet shares nuggets of knowledge from her more than 36 year career in the avalanche industry, her remaining curiosities about avalanche mechanics, where she sees the industry going next…but most importantly, she tells us how she kept her sense of wonder about the snow over the years: always, always taking care of others.
Resources & Links Mentioned:
• Avalanche Education for All, High Country News Article
• USFS National Avalanche Center
• American Avalanche Association Resilience Project
Crew:
• Host: Brooke Maushund (@brookemaush)
• Guest: Janet Kellam
• Producer: Caleb Merrill (@theavalanchehourpodcast)
Sponsors:
🎶 Music by Ketsa: Get Me Out, Snowing in Spring, Reach the End
In this episode, Dom Baker sits down with the legendary mountain athlete Will Gadd, a pioneering ice climber, paddler and paraglider. Will has established some of the hardest mixed ice climbing lines in the world, set the world distance record for paragliding, and then beaten it, kayaked down dozens of first descents across North America, not to mention soloed the first one- day ascent of Canada’s Mt.Robson.
Will has rigorously prepared for and completed high complexity adventures all over the world and in the process has developed a thoughtful perspective on risk, writing and talking about risk for years, including in a 2016 Ted Talk. In this episode Will discusses his perspectives on exposure, consequence and how the public avalanche bulletin might not quite apply to ice climbing routes.
Resources, Books & Links Mentioned:
Impossible Dreams: Remote paragliding and climbing in Canada!
Todd Conklin “The 5 Principles of Human Performance”
Daniel Kahneman “Noise: A Flaw in Human Judgment”
Amy Edmondson “ Emotional Intelligence: Psychological Safety”
Annie Duke “Thinking in Bets: Making Smarter Decisions When You Don’t Have All The Facts”
Crew:
• Host: Dom Baker (@dom_baken)
• Guest: Will Gadd (@realwillgadd)
• Producer: Caleb Merrill (@theavalanchehourpodcast)
Sponsors:
• Gordini
• OpenSnow
• Peak Visor ***Special Offer***
🎶 Music by Gravy @gravy.tunes
European Hosts Matthias Walcher and Christoph Mitterer bring you a conversation with Fabiano Monti. Fabi is an Avalanche Forecaster, Ski Instructor, and Environmental Scientist based in Livigno, Italy. He holds a Master's degree and a Ph.D. in Environmental Science from the University of Insubria, with specialized research conducted at the WSL Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research (SLF) in Switzerland. His doctoral research focused on modeling snowpack stability for avalanche forecasting.
In 2013, Fabiano founded Alpsolut Srl, an innovative company dedicated to providing scientific solutions for managing snow-related risks. Under his leadership, Alpsolut has developed operational snow cover simulations using the SNOWPACK model, widely adopted by European avalanche centers for regional and site-specific forecasting.
Fabiano has extensive international experience, having participated in two Italian Antarctic expeditions (2012, 2015-2016), and collaborates with various agencies across Europe, including ARPA Lombardia, ÖBB Infrastruktur AG, and Lawinenwarndienst Tirol. His expertise spans avalanche hazard mapping, remote sensing with satellite imagery, environmental data analysis, and machine learning applications to snow and avalanche risk management.
Currently, Fabiano serves as the lead avalanche forecaster for the Municipality of Livigno, managing risk assessments for both recreational backcountry activities and managed ski areas. He is passionate about advancing avalanche safety through research, education, and the integration of cutting-edge technologies.
Resources & Links Mentioned:
https://www.instagram.com/alpsolut.eu/
Crew:
• Host: Matthias Walcher/Christoph Mitterer
• Guest: Fabiano Monti
• Producer: Caleb Merrill (@theavalanchehourpodcast)
Sponsors:
🎶 Music by Gravy. Mid Roll Ad Music by Ketsa.
https://www.instagram.com/alpsolut.eu/
Website