The Avalanche Hour Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

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!

Fill out our Listener survey here. Thank you!

This episode was made possible through the support of:

Wyssen Avalanche Control

Gordini

OpenSnow: Use code Avalanche50 to receive 50% off your premium All Access subscription!

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.

Socials:

• The Avalanche hour Podcast
• Jess Shade

Links: 

• Listener Survey

• LGBTQ+ Affirmative Therapist Guild of Utah - An organization of therapists who meet monthly for continuing education. The website has a list of licensed clinicians in Utah who are affirming and trained in working with queer people. 

• Mountain Queers - An organization supporting representation and equity for queer and trans folx in mountain sport.

• Responder Alliance - works to build awareness of stress injury and increase resilience for folks who work in austere environments. Please note they are largely focused on prevention, however many of the resources and tools are very applicable and provide a good foundation for having conversations around stress and trauma.

• Climbing Grief Fund, American Alpine Club - CGF hosts a therapist directory and offers individual grants of up to $600 to individuals who have experienced grief or trauma related to climbing, alpinism, or ski mountaineering. You do not have to be a member of the American Alpine Club to apply for a CGF grant.

• American Avalanche Association - The A3 Avalanche Resilience Project also hosts a therapist directory with folks who have familiarity with the industry. A3 also offers a "resilience grant" of up to $500 to Professional and Affiliate members who are interested in pursuing therapy.

• Survivors of Outdoor Adventures and Recovery (SOAR) - SOAR offers professionally-facilitated peer support groups for folks who have experienced loss or trauma in the outdoors. I just attended one of their community connection workshops on grief and trauma and found it very helpful. Get in touch with this wonderful organization!

• Mountain Muskox - For our northern friends, Mountain Muskox is a fantastic organization that offers professionally-facilitated in person peer support circles in BC and Alberta. They also offer a weekend gathering each fall.

Sponsors for this episode:

• Wyssen Avalanche Control

• Gordini - Use code snowpro40 to receive 40% off Gordini gear through October. (Code:SnowPro40)

• Beacon Guide Books: Use the code AVSAR to get 25% off the Avalanche Search + Rescue: A Backcountry Field Guide

• OpenSnow: Use code avalanche50 to receive 50% off their premium subscription.

Crew:

• Creator - Caleb Merrill

• Host - Sean Zimmerman-Wall

• Producer - Cameron Griffin

Donate:

• The Avalanche Hour Podcast

• The American Avalanche Association 

Music:

• Age Diamante - Chill Pah

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 the globe. David attended Prescott College, where he eventually became a faculty member and professor. In the early 1980's, he developed an Avalanche Forecasting course in collaboration with Tim Lane and Jerry Roberts of Colorado's Department of Transportation. This course set the hook for many people who have gone on to make big splashes through their lifelong careers in the snow and avalanche industry. David provides us with insights and wisdom from his years of cultivating his curious fascination with avalanches. Tune in. Music by Ketsa Thanks to: Wyssen Avalanche Control Gordini USA OpenSnow

In this episode, Kelly McNeil sits down with Duncan Lee. Duncan is a Lake Tahoe native, film maker, professional snowmobiler and avalanche educator. We talk about Duncan’s journey into the world of motorized avalanche education, group management techniques, strategies to address human factors, as well as, many other important topics! Music by Chris Kaplinski

Meet Kelly McNeil. Kelly's roots run deep in motorized winter recreation. She talks about her background, some parallels between her education and avalanche outreach efforts, and lets us know what she has on tap for her upcoming interviews. Thanks Kelly for your efforts in contributing to the podcast! Excited to hear your interviews to follow!

In this installment of The Avalanche Hour’s Third Thursday; I sit down on a Zoom call with James Minifie, owner/operator of Skookum Backcountry based out of the Yukon. He is also the lead field technician for the region with Avalanche Canada. Born and raised in the Rockies, James has lived in the mountains his entire life. His passion for the outdoors is infectious. He is a fully certified Association of Canadian Mountain Guides -Ski Guide, Hiking Guide and a Professional Member of the Canadian Avalanche Association. https://www.skookumbackcountry.com @skookumbackcountryyukon @avcanyukon Follow us on Instagram @theavalanchehour Follow our supporters on Instagram for up to date news from them. @TASBYMND @10barrelbrewing @interwest_insurance Resources on the socials @americanavalancheassociation @avalanchecanada The Avalanche Hour Savings WNDR Alpine skis 10% off: FOWFFR10-4SZB7P Do note that if you order bindings with their skis, there's an automatic 10% ski & binding bundle discount that gets applied and overrides this friends and family one. So, if you are needing to order bindings with your skis, you will have to do so in a separate order unfortunately, otherwise you will only receive 10% off the skis. Good thing is shipping is free, so no additional cost there. HAGAN SKI MOUNTAINEERING 15% off with code: AvalancheHour15 alnk.to/6bNgvJb SOCIAL CBD 20% OFF LINK: www.avantlink.com/click.php?tt=ml&…908357&pw=282549 Music by Chris Kaplinski

In this episode, we sit down with former nordic olympic ski racer turned avalanche forecaster- Wendy Wagner. Wendy is the director of the Chugach National Forest Avalanche Information Center in Girdwood Alaska. She talks about some of the intricacies of the forecast center, its strengths, strategies, and goals. Music by Chris Kaplinski. Enjoy. WNDR Alpine skis 10% off: FOWFFR10-4SZB7P Do note that if you order bindings with their skis, there's an automatic 10% ski & binding bundle discount that gets applied and overrides this friends and family one. So, if you are needing to order bindings with your skis, you will have to do so in a separate order unfortunately, otherwise you will only receive 10% off the skis. Good thing is shipping is free, so no additional cost there. HAGAN SKI MOUNTAINEERING 15% off with code: AvalancheHour15 https://alnk.to/6bNgvJb SOCIAL CBD 20% OFF LINK: https://www.avantlink.com/click.php?tt=ml&ti=908357&pw=282549

In this bonus episode, I chat with Greg Johnson. Greg has a diverse background in the world of snow and avalanches from guiding, to public forecasting, to structural engineering and project management. Greg started 6 point engineering- based out of Nelson, BC. His focus is on avalanche hazard management amongst industry within BC, and it sounds like he stays busy! Music by Chris Kaplinski. WNDR Alpine skis 10% off: FOWFFR10-4SZB7P Do note that if you order bindings with their skis, there's an automatic 10% ski & binding bundle discount that gets applied and overrides this friends and family one. So, if you are needing to order bindings with your skis, you will have to do so in a separate order unfortunately, otherwise you will only receive 10% off the skis. Good thing is shipping is free, so no additional cost there. HAGAN SKI MOUNTAINEERING 15% off with code: AvalancheHour15 https://alnk.to/6bNgvJb SOCIAL CBD 20% OFF LINK: https://www.avantlink.com/click.php?tt=ml&ti=908357&pw=282549

On February 28, 2014, an avalanche was triggered on Mt. Jumbo- above the Rattlesnake neighborhood in Missoula, Montana. It destroyed a house, and buried 2 adults and a child. This episode is the perspective of three of the many first responders on the scene of this rescue. Music is written and performed by Chris Kaplinski. This episode was produced by Wes Gregg. WNDR Alpine skis 10% off: FOWFFR10-4SZB7P Do note that if you order bindings with their skis, there's an automatic 10% ski & binding bundle discount that gets applied and overrides this friends and family one. So, if you are needing to order bindings with your skis, you will have to do so in a separate order unfortunately, otherwise you will only receive 10% off the skis. Good thing is shipping is free, so no additional cost there. HAGAN SKI MOUNTAINEERING 15% off with code: AvalancheHour15 https://alnk.to/6bNgvJb SOCIAL CBD 20% OFF LINK: https://www.avantlink.com/click.php?tt=ml&ti=908357&pw=282549

In episode 5.17 Part 2 of The Avalanche Hour’s Third Thursday; Dom Baker continues his Zoom call with Grant Helgeson. Grant is a Senior Forecaster and Project Manager for Avalanche Canada who makes good decisions 99% of the time. If he’s not at work or playing in the hills, he’s probably lusting after fancy bikes or Google Earth skiing your favourite lines. Dom and Grant discuss his path into Avalanche forecasting and the challenges it presents in data sparse regions. There’s so much covered that we’ve broken the release into two parts. To find out more about Grant, or information about Avalanche canada head on over to: Avalanche.ca @avalanchecanada - Instagram While you’re there check out the latest forecast for your region Don’t forget to give us a follow on socials: @theavalanchehourpodcast Tag us in a post before March 15, 2021 and be entered in a draw for a Primo Snow and Avalanche ‘El-Profesional’ snow saw. #theavalanchehourpodcast Check out our latest deals: WNDR Alpine skis 10% off: FOWFFR10-4SZB7P Do note that if you order bindings with their skis, there's an automatic 10% ski & binding bundle discount that gets applied and overrides this friends and family one. So, if you are needing to order bindings with your skis, you will have to do so in a separate order unfortunately, otherwise you will only receive 10% off the skis. Good thing is shipping is free, so no additional cost there. HAGAN SKI MOUNTAINEERING 15% off with code: AvalancheHour15 https://alnk.to/6bNgvJb SOCIAL CBD 20% OFF LINK: https://www.avantlink.com/click.php?tt=ml&ti=908357&pw=282549 Theme music by: @chriskaplinski Episode produced by: @wesleylgregg Artwork by: Mike Tee