The Avalanche Hour Podcast

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:www.willgadd.com Tedx Talk VideoDunning-Kruger effectImpossible 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: • Wyssen Avalanche Control  • 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.alpsolut.eu/ https://www.instagram.com/alpsolut.eu/Crew: • Host: Matthias Walcher/Christoph Mitterer • Guest: Fabiano Monti • Producer: Caleb Merrill (@theavalanchehourpodcast)Sponsors: • ⁠Wyssen Avalanche Control ⁠ • ⁠Gordini⁠ • ⁠OpenSnow ⁠ • ⁠IPA Collective🎶 Music by Gravy. Mid Roll Ad Music by Ketsa.Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/alpsolut.eu/Websitehttps://www.alpsolut.eu/ 

Episode Overview:In this compelling episode, Brooke sits down with Nina Marienthal, Lead Guide at Beartooth Powder Guides (BPG)  in Cooke City, Montana, where she landed after starting her career heli-guiding in Alaska. After growing up the daughter of a heli-ski guide and ski instructor—doing her homework at the helibase every spring in Alaska while her parents were out in the snow—it only makes sense that Nina went on to become one of the youngest people to be an AMGA Certified Ski Guide. Currently the lead guide at BPG and an Educator at the American Avalanche Institute, Nina dives into her beginnings working her way up from being an apprentice at Black Ops Valdez in Alaska, to her draw to pursue more human-powered guiding as she progressed in her career and desires for her work. Nina shares unique perspectives on the pace of mechanized vs. human-powered guiding, navigating the industry as a woman, and most importantly how the ascending spiral of mentorship develops over time. Resources & Links Mentioned: • Beartooth Powder Guides • Black Ops Valdez • Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center • Eastern Oregon University Motorized User Survey • AIARE Transceiver Terminology Survey • Boilen/McCammon Human Factor 2.0 Initial Survey: Crew: • Host: Brooke Maushund  • Guest: Nina Marienthal (@nina_marienthal)  • Producer: Caleb Merrill (@theavalanchehourpodcast)Sponsors: • Wyssen Avalanche Control  • Gordini • OpenSnow • Arva Equipment🎶 Music by Ketsa: My Sunny Lounge, Sandstone

Therapy for the Soul: A Beginner’s Toolbox into Navigating Grief, Trauma, and LossGuest:Jenny Fiebig – Licensed Professional Counselor, IFS Trainer, Outdoor Trauma SpecialistHost:Brooke “Shiny” EdwardsRecording Date:December 4th, 2024Episode Summary:In this deeply insightful episode of The Avalanche Hour Podcast, host Brooke “Shiny” Edwards sits down with Jenny Fiebig, a licensed professional counselor specializing in trauma related to outdoor accidents. Jenny shares her journey from outdoor educator and guide to becoming a trauma therapist, blending her love for the wilderness with mental health counseling.They explore how trauma impacts the nervous system, how to process grief and loss in outdoor communities, and how professionals and recreationalists alike can navigate their emotions without suppressing them. Jenny also walks Brooke through real-time nervous system regulation techniques, providing valuable tools for listeners struggling with anxiety or fear in the mountains.This episode serves as both an educational experience and an intimate exploration of Internal Family Systems (IFS)therapy, trauma recovery, and the power of self-compassion in high-risk environments.Key Discussion Points:• How outdoor trauma manifests in the nervous system• Understanding the IFS (Internal Family Systems) therapy model• The “warrior mentality” in outdoor culture and why it can be harmful• Differentiating healthy vs. destructive coping mechanisms after accidents or loss• Tools for navigating fear, grief, and trauma in the backcountry• The stress continuum and recognizing the warning signs of mental health struggles• The work of SOAR (Survivors of Outdoor Adventures in Recovery) in helping trauma survivors healGuest Bio & Background:Jenny Fiebig is a licensed professional counselor in Montana and Colorado, specializing in trauma therapy for outdoor-related accidents. She has a background in outdoor education and guiding, which informs her work in helping individuals heal from experiences of loss, grief, and PTSD related to the backcountry.Jenny pursued a graduate degree in mental health counseling at Montana State University and became a specialist in IFS therapy, now working as a global trainer with the IFS Institute. She is also deeply involved in SOAR (Survivors of Outdoor Adventures in Recovery), where she helps provide therapy, community, and resources for those struggling with outdoor-related trauma.Links & Resources Mentioned:• SOAR (Survivors of Outdoor Adventures in Recovery): https://www.soar4life.org/• Responder Alliance Stress Continuum: https://www.responderalliance.com/stress-continuum• Redside Foundation: https://www.redsidefoundation.org/• IFS Institute: https://ifs-institute.com/• Jenny Fiebig’s Website: https://www.jennyfiebig.com/• Eduardo Duran – Healing the Soul WoundSponsor & Partner Mentions:Presented by:• Wyssen Avalanche Control – www.wyssen.comAdditional sustaining support from:• Gordini – www.gordini.com• OpenSnow – www.opensnow.com• Compare 10-day snow forecasts, read expert analysis, and track storms• Use promo code AVALANCHE50 for 50% off OpenSnow Premium: www.opensnow.com/buy• RAIDE Research – www.raideresearch.com• Use code AVHOUR for 10% off your orderMusic Credits:• Intro Music: Believing – Ketsa• Outro Music: Touching Moments (Remastered) – KetsaWhere to Listen & Subscribe:• Website: The Avalanche Hour Podcast• Spotify: The Avalanche Hour on Spotify• Apple Podcasts: The Avalanche Hour on Apple PodcastsProducer Credits:• Caleb Merrill• Cameron Griffin

In this episode, Sara Boilen interviews Andrea Manberg. Andrea is an economist and researcher who spends her time thinking about human behavior, decision-making, and risk in avalanche terrain. Having survived a pretty brutal avalanche herself, Andrea is passionate about understanding what motivates us toward risk and how we position ourselves to enjoy our pursuits while staying as safe as we want to. She presented at ISSW on her paper, Is it a man’s world? Gendered professional experiences in snow and avalanche safety and came on the podcast to talk to Sara about the reality faced by males, females, and non binary folks in an industry long-dominated by men. The conversation delves into various topics including what makes a good snow and avalanche professional, mentorship, and menstruation. Join us as we deconstruct the myth that it is, and needs to be, a man’s world. Website for CARE (where Andrea Works): https://en.uit.no/ansatte/andrea.mannberg There, you can find out more about Andrea and what the good folks at CARE are doing as well as links to Andrea’s publications. If you’d like to watch more of Andrea, here’s a link to a great talk she gave back in 2017 with the Sawtooth Avalanche Center: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C7xSutCesLQRead the research by Andrea and her colleagues, as presented at ISSW Tromso here: https://arc.lib.montana.edu/snow-science/objects/ISSW2024_O11.6.pdfSupport for this Episode is provided by: Wyssen Avalanche Control Gordini OpenSnowPropagation Labs

Dr. Christopher Van Tilburg, an American physician and wilderness medicine expert, shares his extensive knowledge on avalanche safety and technology. He discusses the evolution of avalanche airbags, highlighting their life-saving potential and the importance of hands-on training. The impact of safety gear on skiers' risk tolerance is examined, along with advanced devices enhancing mountain rescue operations. Lastly, Van Tilburg emphasizes the critical post-excavation care for avalanche victims, ensuring effective rescue and recovery.

Sean Zimmerman-Wall steps in front of the mic to bring you another great interview with Rebecca “Becs” Hodgetts. Becs began ski patrolling in the mid-1990s on Mt Ruapehu, a volcano in the central plateau of New Zealand’s North Island. She went on to work at other resorts in New Zealand, Canada, and the US. She worked 12 years at Arapahoe Basin in Colorado, first as an avalanche technician and later as Assistant Ski Patrol Director. She joined the Colorado Avalanche Information Center in 2013 and worked first as a Backcountry, then as a Highway Forecaster, and finally as a Regional Lead Forecaster for southern Colorado. In July 2024, she took a new role with the US Forest Service's National Avalanche Center (NAC). In this role, she will support the NAC's mission to improve backcountry and ski area safety by reducing avalanche risk on and around National Forests. This mission includes training and transferring information and technology to the field, managing the Artillery for Avalanche Mitigation Program, and coordinating US avalanche centers through the National Avalanche Forecast Platform.Show Notes:March 2019 Historic Avalanche Cycle Video produced by CAIC https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BlkH-MnzddcInterview with CAIC Director Ethan Greene produced by The Powder Cloudhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YolFA80sP5YNational Avalanche Center and Avalanche.orghttps://avalanche.org/national-avalanche-center/The Starting Zone by Karl Birkelandhttps://support.friendsofcaic.org/products/the-starting-zone-at-the-interface-between-avalanche-science-and-practice?srsltid=AfmBOopaIynaGIjcEwbEhudjbTuCHTWlsHXgIFQf26ne3tfbgcABdFj-Thanks to the sponsors of this episode: Wyssen Avalanche ControlGordini USAOpenSnowIPA CollectiveMusic by Age DiamanteArt by Mike Tea

Ian McCammon, the godfather of human factors in avalanche education, shares his journey from engineering to avalanches. He discusses the tragic loss of a friend that propelled him into studying decision-making in risky conditions. Key topics include his FACETS acronym, highlighting common cognitive errors, and the Personal Disaster Flags (PDFs) for self-assessment. Ian emphasizes the need for reflective practices and developed the ALPTRUTh algorithm to aid in risk evaluation. His insights underline the balance between emotion and analysis in high-stakes environments.

Jen Reddy is a total low-key badass who sat down with Caleb for a great conversation about her work with Teton County Search and Rescue and the American Avalanche Association. Jen is tasked with overseeing the guidance of the professional training program amongst participating providers within the US. Jen and Caleb talk about her early years of backcountry skiing, a close call, and some influences that urged her to get involved as a volunteer with Teton County Search and Rescue. They discuss some of her work at A3 and what has been going on behind the scenes to elevate the level of professional training in the US. Tune in to hear more.Music: KetsaArt: Mike TeaListener SurveyResources:A3 Pro Training ProgramICAR 2024 CongressTeton County Search and Rescue

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.