
The Avalanche Hour Podcast
Podcast by Caleb Merrill
Latest episodes

Dec 7, 2020 • 54min
The Avalanche Hour Podcast BONUS Episode 5.7 Chip Arenchild
Here's a bonus episode to help wind down the craziest year! I sat down with Chip Arenchild in the spring and discussed risk in several different contexts. I share this conversation in this episode. Music by Ketsa: Dusty Hills and Funky Fortune.
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

Dec 1, 2020 • 1h 24min
The Avalanche Hour Podcast Episode 5.6 Margaret Wheeler
I have always thought Margaret Wheeler could introduce herself as “I’m Margaret Wheeler and you may remember me from such eduational videos as “ Track Setting- Improving the skin track” or “Sled Rescue Drill” Think Troy McClure from the Simpsons…https://youtu.be/Y6jSKetRBU0. Or perhaps you recognize her name as one of the authors of Backcountry Skiing: Skills for Ski Touring and Ski Mountaineering. In this episode, IFMGA certified mountain guide, educator, and mother of 2, Margaret Wheeler sits down for a great chat- There is some solid insight in this one. Music: Parrallel Worlds by Ketsa and Ascend Dub by Shoalin Dub.
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

Nov 22, 2020 • 57min
The Avalanche Hour Podcast Ep. 5.5 Kyle Lamothe
Welcome to the first Third Thursday with Wes Gregg. In this episode I talk with Kyle Lamothe who is a park rat from the icy slopes of northern Ontario, Canada turned Ski Mountaineer. He packed up and relocated to the Canadian rockies before finally settling into a little ski town called Revelstoke, British Columbia. After gaining an education and establishing a career in hospitality, Kyle took a single trip to Sol Mountain Lodge. Upon his return he ditched the suit and tie, and embarked on his path as a ski guide. Due to the current global pandemic, Kyle’s progress was significantly impacted. He finds himself now in limbo in the hopes of being able complete his ACMG guide exam this winter. Kyle spends 100+ days a season ski touring recreationally, as well as Tail guiding at Sol Mountain Lodge.
Also this episode we introduce the El Professional snow saw from Primo Snow and Avalanche by offering a 10% off discount code: TAH10 when used at checkout. Just head on over to www.primosnowavalanche.com and pick up the saw that cuts straight and is light weight. Don’t forget to give them a follow as well @primosnowandavalanche
Also, take a screenshot of your subscription to this podcast to get entered in a draw for one of these saws. The winner will be announced during the Jan 5, 2021 episode with Matt Primono.
Follow us on Instagram @theavalanchehour
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@TASBYMND
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Resources on the socials
@americanavalancheassociation
@avalanchecanada

Nov 15, 2020 • 51min
The Avalanche Hour Podcast Episode 5.4 Wesley Gregg
We sit done sit down to talk with Wesley Gregg of Williams Lake, BC. Wes reached out to me this spring, and told me how he wanted to start a podcast related to snow avalanches and then he found The Avalanche Hour. He also has a background in audio engineering! We had a quarantine video chat, and he told me about some of his backcountry ventures. Wes and his ski partners often will sled into remote cabins to go skiing for the weekend. He recounts a couple of close calls that have helped shape his current risk tolerance and communication strategies. This is bits and pieces of our conversation, but I find it to be an honest reflection of a ski touring career thus far. Wes digs into some deep honesty and I think there is something for everyone in this one. Music: In My City by Grammatik, My Tribe by Ketsa, and SkankingEasy Dub by Shoalin Dub.
https://beaconreviews.com/Specs_PiepsDSP_switch.php
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4E2uPY8IX0

Nov 1, 2020 • 1h 36min
The Avalanche Hour Podcast Episode 5.3 Henry Munter and Rich Peterson
We sit down to chat with Henry Munter and Rich Peterson from Chugach Powder Guides. We discuss what some of the aspects of their jobs look like from the guide meetings to the logistics of having multiple aircraft throughout the Chugach range. We talk strategy to deal with uncertainty and get a couple of great stories out of da boys. I know you'll dig it.
www.chugachpowderguides.com
Music by Ketsa and Shoalin dub. www.ketsa.uk

Oct 15, 2020 • 1h 22min
The Avalanche Hour Podcast Episode 5.2 Laura McGladrey
We start out episode 5.2 by hearing an update from the A3 Executive Director, Dan Kaveney. Dan talks about what is new for A3 in the 20/21 season. We then dive into a great talk with Laura McGladrey. Laura is a family and psychiatric Nurse Practitioner who specializes in emergency medicine, mental health, and traumatic stress. She is a veteran NOLS instructor, is embedded on a couple ski patrols, works with high level search and rescue groups in national parks, and is an avid outdoor recreator. We talk about what factors can contribute to what are known as Stress Injuries and how we can better detect and deal with them. This can certainly be a tough subject to broach, but Laura does a great job in breaking it down. There are some other resources noted in the episode that are referenced below. Music on this episode by Chris Kaplinski and Ketsa.
• Pre-Traumatic Stress Management Article by Starr Jamison The Avalanche Review Page 30:
https://static1.squarespace.com/static/59d2a0f0e9bfdf20d6d654b7/t/5e909a92af304074e895eae8/1586535077740/TAR_38-4_Low.pdf
• American Alpine Club Climbing Grief Fund https://americanalpineclub.org/grieffund
• Responder Alliance Resources
https://www.responderalliance.com/copy-of-urban-fire-ems
- Trauma Screening Questionaire
https://www.everyonegoeshome.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2014/04/FLSI13TSQ.pdf

Oct 1, 2020 • 1h 17min
The Avalanche Hour Podcast Episode 5.1 Mike Duffy
In the season opener of Season 5, we chat with a pioneer of mechanized avalanche education. Mike Duffy has been teaching mechanized specific avalanche education for over 25 years. Mike is also a product developer and ambassador for Backcountry Access. We review the proper way to do a trailhead beacon check, talk about how COVID may impact the backcountry, and some ways mechanized users can implement better group management. Music: Strapped and Growing Resistance by Shoalin Dub as well as Hot-Box by Ketsa. Enjoy!

Aug 1, 2020 • 1h
The Avalanche Hour Podcast Episode 4.22 Susan Purvis
In the final episode of Season 4, I chat with Susan Purvis. Susan is an explorer, educator and author of the bestselling adventure memoir, Go Find:
My Journey to Find the Lost—And Myself. I talk with Susan about the book, and her experience as an avalanche dog handler in Crested Butte Colorado. She explains the process she went through to certify her canine, Tasha....But even more, she talks about the aspects of dealing with small town politics, mentorship, personal relationships, all will finding a truer version of her self.
Music by Ketsa: One Eye. Shaolin Dub: Sunlight Dub.
www.susanpurvis.com

Jul 16, 2020 • 46min
The Avalanche Hour Podcast Episode 4.21 Andrew Schauer
Episode 4.21 features Andrew Schauer. Andrew completed the undergraduate and graduate degrees in the Snow Science Program of the Earth Science Department at Montana State University. Andrew talks to us about how his research could help the snow and avalanche community better understand what climatic patterns are leading to destructive deep slab cycles. He talks about an efficient way to process large data sets, as well as a couple close calls that left his hair standing up. Musical tracks: Morning Cup by Ketsa and Blessed by Shaolin Dub. Enjoy.

Jul 1, 2020 • 1h 1min
The Avalanche Hour Podcast Episode 4.20 Alex Marienthal
It's episode 4.20, man. This episode features Alex Marienthal. Alex obtained both BS and MS degrees in the Snow Science Program at Montana State University. We chat with Alex about his graduate research regarding better forecasting for deep slab avalanches. Alex shares with us some of the ways he tries to communicate complex problems in a concise way within his forecasts. He also recounts some experiences in his career that he doesn't plan on forgetting. Hope you enjoy. Music by Ketsa