Show Notes: Eeva and I met through our work with the American Avalanche Association and have spent many seasons working through ways to improve the educational landscape in the US. Her tireless efforts, unique skillset, and overall amazing demeanor inspire me as an educator. For this conversation, we talk about things not directly related to avalanche education, but instead focus on the state of the avalanche community in various areas, how to support each other’s mental health, and share a few anecdotes about time well spent in the mountains. It is with great pleasure that we present this information to our listeners so they can benefit from her worldly perspective. Check out a new research project she is engaged with below: Invitation to participate in Winter 2021-22 Research project WHERE DO YOU WANT TO GO? Do you go out to backcountry to ski or ride regularly? We need your help this winter to collect information about how groups decide where they go to play. This research will increase our understanding on where folks go to ski or ride and why. The participants will fill out a weekly online questionnaire for a minimum of one month. Yes - it will be a commitment, but we will make it as easy for you as possible. Example questions: When did you decide where to go? Who did you go with? What factors made you decide to go there? But don’t worry about sharing information about your secret stash - the participation is confidential and no details about your personal choices will be shared in public. Interested? Fill out this contact form. We will then email you in late December to get you set to participate in the research. https://forms.gle/gfgRBXrQiDpX8jEz9 Questions? Email Eeva Latosuo elatosuo@alaskapacific.edu Research methods have been approved by Alaska Pacific University.