Deep Slabs and Decision-Making – A Legacy of Safety with Chris Stethem and Grant Statham (Part 2)

Feb 1, 2025

In this compelling discussion, Chris Stethem and Grant Statham, both veterans in avalanche safety and research, delve into the evolution of decision-making frameworks in the field. They highlight the significance of the InfoEx system's development and how advanced communication has transformed safety practices. The guests reflect on the importance of higher certification standards, the dynamics of deep slab avalanches, and the balance between scientific assessments and real-world experience. Their insights underline the ongoing evolution of collaboration, safety regulations, and risk management in avalanche terrain.

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ANECDOTE

Early InfoEx

Early InfoEx relied on handwritten notes and detailed textual descriptions, capturing valuable nuances.
Modern InfoEx systems, while efficient for research, may overemphasize drop-down menus, potentially losing crucial observational details.

ADVICE

Capturing Nuances

Capture nuanced observations and gut feelings in reports, even if they don't fit standard categories.
Prioritize free-form comments to preserve valuable insights that dropdown menus might miss.

ANECDOTE

Pre-InfoEx Communication

Before InfoEx, CMH used a system called SCED, with teams phoning each other to share daily observations.
This practice highlighted the importance of informal communication and inspired the InfoEx concept.

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Episode Overview

In this second part of their conversation, Chris Stethem and Grant Statham dig deeper into the evolving world of avalanche safety, focusing on how decision-making frameworks and advanced communication practices have reshaped the industry. They begin by exploring the development of InfoEx, reflecting on how the system has grown over time and identifying areas for potential improvement. This discussion naturally segues into Chris’s early days as an avalanche consultant, laying the groundwork for the professionalization of avalanche research and the formation of new training programs.

As the episode progresses, Chris and Grant share insights on how the CAA Level 3 Course came into being, noting the considerable skill set and qualifications now required to enroll in higher-level avalanche education. They highlight the rising standards for certification in various avalanche-related jobs, emphasizing how worker safety has driven regulatory changes and communication strategies designed to put people in safer positions on the mountain.

Bringing their vast experience to bear, Chris and Grant examine spatial variability in different types of terrain, describing how certain slopes may foster specific avalanche problems. They delve into the tension between scientific assessments, practical experience, and the uncertainties that can influence life-and-death decisions in avalanche terrain. Their stories illustrate how collaboration, mentorship, and continually evolving best practices have shaped modern avalanche safety and will continue to do so.

Key Topics Covered

• InfoEx Evolution – The origins, growth, and potential improvements of this critical data-sharing tool

• Early Avalanche Consultancy – How initial consulting efforts opened doors for professional research

• Birth of the CAA Level 3 Course – The skill set, accomplishments, and certification pathways crucial for advanced avalanche work

• Raising the Bar for Worker Safety – How advocacy, regulation, and improved communication led to better safety policies

• Spatial Variability & Avalanche Types – Linking different slopes to specific avalanche risks and managing uncertainty in dynamic conditions

Crew

• Host: Dom Baker

• Guests: Chris Stethem and Grant Statham

• Producer: Cameron Griffin