The Avalanche Hour Podcast Wendy’s Wisdom: A Tribute to Wendy Wagner
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