
The Avalanche Hour Podcast
Podcast by Caleb Merrill
Latest episodes

Jan 15, 2019 • 57min
The Avalanche Hour Podcast Episode 3.8 John Reller and Lane Critser
This episode features John Reller and Lane Critser. We talk about the C-RAD (Colorado Rapid Avalanche Deployment) organization as well as what goes into the training and utilization of Avalanche Dog Teams. It was a super fun interview to do with these guys, and I think you'll enjoy it. Check out C-RAD at www.c-rad.org. Music on this episode was Sunsquabi's "Reptile" (feat. Nicholas Gerlach) off their new album "Instinct". Taking us out of the hour was Cabin Sessions by GRiZ
GRiZ - “Cabin Sessions”
http://www.mynameisgriz.com/
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Jan 1, 2019 • 51min
The Avalanche Hour Podcast 3.7 Roger Coit
In this episode, we interview Roger Coit. Roger is the faculty lead for the Leadville, CO based Colorado Mountain College Avalanche Science Program. Roger talks about his background and then what it has taken to develop this cutting edge program in the U.S. He explains what the program entails, what is expected of the students, and the value that this program will add to the avalanche industry in the U.S. www.coloradomtn.edu/avalanche-science Enjoy!

Dec 23, 2018 • 6min
Happy Holidays From The Avalanche Hour Podcast
A quick holiday message from The Avalanche Hour Podcast.

Dec 15, 2018 • 53min
The Avalanche Hour Podcast 3.6 Ted Steiner
This episode includes a story and reflections of a guided heli skier being caught in a an avalanche. We then feature an interview with Ted Steiner who is an avalanche forecaster and consultant for the Burlington Northern Sante Fe Railway in Essex, MT. Find out how to enter in this season's first podcast contest, and listen to find out how your donation to the American Avalanche Association can go further this month! Enjoy and Happy Holidays. Music on today's episode is from Broke for Free, The Polish Ambassador, and Podington Bear. All Made possible by the Creative Commons License and distributed through the Free Music Archive. A link to a video about the work Ted and his forecasting team do is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIjXmzIrPO4

Dec 1, 2018 • 1h 4min
The Avalanche Hour Podcast 3.5 Billy Rankin
This episode features Billy Rankin from Irwin Guides. Irwin Guides, based in Crested Butte Colorado has international year round guided trips- pretty much everything from rafting to climbing to skiing to fly fishing. They have a bad ass cat ski and backcountry ski operation in a zone that has yearly snow averages far exceeding the typical continental snowpack. Tune in as we chat with Billy about his career, some of the intricacies of their ski tenure and weather patterns, as well as how their operation manages uncertainty within the snowpack. Music on this episode was performed by:
GRiZ - “Get Down Feat Sunsquabi and Manic Focus”
http://www.mynameisgriz.com/
https://www.facebook.com/mynameisGRiZ/
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Gramatik: Muy Tranquilo

Nov 15, 2018 • 1h 3min
The Avalanche Hour Podcast Episode 3.4 Liam Fitzgerald
People are starting to ride, and people are starting to trigger avalanches! Even if it's not snowing where you are, it is not a bad idea to start tracking what the snowpack is doing where your mid winter backcountry trip may be. This episode has an introduction to the A3's new Executive Director, an awesome ISSW recap from Utah Avalanche Center's Greg Gagne, and a great interview from former ski patroller and supervisor of UDOT's avalanche safety program: Liam Fitzgerald. Hope you enjoy! Music by Sunsquabi and Gramatik with permission of the artists.
Here is a link to where you can access all ISSW papers:
https://arc.lib.montana.edu/snow-science/

Nov 1, 2018 • 1h 1min
The Avalanche Hour Podcast 3.3 Jake Hutchinson
In this episode, We highlight a submission from Greg Cunningham on his favorite couple presentations from ISSW ’18. We then jump into an interview with Jake Hutchinson. Jake is a longtime ski patroller, forecaster, guide, and avalanche educator. Last year, Jake wrote a great article in Ascent Backcountry Snow Journal titled “Guilt” where he talked about issues surrounding perhaps the most pivotal experience of his career. He opens the door on some tough issues facing specifically the patrol and guiding world related to dealing with traumatic events. Do you have thoughts or input on these topics? Reach out to us at theavalanchehourpodcast@gmail.com to send your feedback. Music on this episode was performed by GRiZ and Anitek. Hope you enjoy!
GRiZ - “Hard Times”
http://www.mynameisgriz.com/
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https://www.instagram.com/griz

Oct 15, 2018 • 53min
The Avalanche Hour Episode 3.2 Brian Lazar
Snow is flyin’ up high! It caught me by surprise and I dipped down to the desert between interviews to get some biking in. Tune in to this episode where we talk to Brian Lazar. Brian is the deputy director of the Colorado Avalanche Information Center. We chat about the many roles he has had in the Snow and Avalanche world, discuss the structure of the CAIC, and what a day in the life looks like. Enjoy! Music on this episode is performed by Gramatik.

Oct 1, 2018 • 1h 2min
The Avalanche Hour Podcast 3.1 Erich Peitzsch
In the first episode of Season 3, we sit down with Erich Peitzsch- A physical scientist with the USGS. Erich has a background in ski patrolling and avalanche forecasting, and is also working on his PhD from Montana State. Erich talks about the forecasting program for the Going to the Sun Road at Glacier National Park, and explains some of his research. Enjoy!
For more information on GNP's avalanche forecasting program as well as Erich's research- Check out these links. Thanks to Peri Sasnett for sharing these!
https://www.nps.gov/gis/storymaps/cascade/v1/index.html?appid=2d5a9d390a034a7cb4f2f3fc66af107c
https://www.nps.gov/articles/avalanche_research.htm

May 15, 2018 • 49min
The Avalanche Hour Podcast 2.16- Slabs and Sluff with John Lemnotis
In the last episode of season 2, we hear a story from John Lemnotis. John was backcountry riding with some friends in early June a few years back when he was involved and injured in an avalanche. John is a ski and rock guide based out of the Wasatch...or wherever his van is parked...