In this episode, we sit down with Karl Birkeland. Karl is the director of the National Avalanche Center and adjunct professor for Montana State University's Snow Science program. Karl has found a balance as a researcher, educator, and practitioner. We talk to Karl about the history and evolution of snowpack tests, and he gives us some insight about where he thinks these tests might move in the future. Karl then shares some formative experiences that he has had with avalanches- that have helped shaped his career path. Enjoy!

This episode explores where you would fit into the new avalanche education paradigm. We sit down with Sarah Carpenter of The American Avalanche Institute as we discuss the history of AAI, what types of avalanche courses they offer, and how they recommend implementing a systems based approach to recreating in backcountry avalanche terrain. Hold on tight.....you might just learn something.

Just a quick Holiday Greeting from all of us at The Avalanche Hour Podcast, ok...let's be honest- It's really just me.....and Arlo the dog. Oh- And listen to this to see how you can win a pair of Black Diamond Legend Gloves. Check it!

Part 2- the conclusion- of Episode 2.6 with Jake Thelen and Sam Kapacinskas recount rescue efforts, communication confusion, and the aftermath of The Birthday Chutes Avalanche.

On December 19th, 2016 in the White Pine drainage of Little Cottonwood Canyon, UT, two friends triggered a large deep slab avalanche as the sun was setting on the far side of the Salt Lake Valley. Tune in as we interview survivors Jake Thelen and Sam Kapacinskas as they share their story of a very bad day in the backcountry.

In episode 2.5 you will hear from Pete Gompert- a design engineer from Black Diamond and Craig Gordon- a forecaster from the Utah Avalanche Center. Pete talks about the Black Diamond Jet Force Airbag packs and how he helped to come up with the concept of using a fan to inflate an airbag pack. We then sit down with Craig to talk about his career within the professional avalanche arena. We especially highlight the work that Craig has done to help start and develop the Know Before You Go program, that has helped bring free avalanche education to thousands of people around the world. Enjoy! Don't forget to enter our contest to win a pair of Black Diamond Guide Gloves- Find out details at www.theavalanchehour.com

In Episode 2.4, we hear from Scott Savage about a great project he is working on with the help of Bill Williamson and Ethan Greene. It is the long awaited unveiling of the Avalanche Near Miss database that will hopefully create a safer culture within the professional avalanche community. We then turn inward as we hear from Nancy Bockino of Jackson Hole, WY as she talks about embracing being human in the avalanche environment. Hope you enjoy!!

In the third episode this season, we travel east of the Rockies. We chat with a snow ranger from Mt. Washington Avalanche Center in New Hampshire. Helon Hoffer grew up hiking and skiing in the White Mountains. He explains his journey to finding his job as a snow ranger and avalanche forecaster. We talk about the intricacies of micro scale forecasting for a busy- and windy zone.

In episode 2, we talk to IFMGA guide, avalanche educator, and writer Joe Stock about slowing down to make better decisions, learning from our mistakes, and managing uncertainty in avalanche terrain. Check out Joe's website at www.stockalpine.com to read his blogs, hire him as a guide, or buy his book, The Alaska Factor 2. We also hear an update from AIARE's executive director, Richard Bothwell regarding Pro courses for this winter.

Welcome to season 2! In our first episode, I highlight an interview with Bill Nalli of Utah Department of Transportation. Bill is the Highway Avalanche Safety Program Manager for UDOT, and we discuss many aspects of their forecasting and mitigation program for Utah's state roadways. Bill shares the history of the forecasting program in Little Cottonwood Canyon , he talks about assessing the risk in different slide paths of LCC, and strategies to use the best tools to keep the roadways open. Hope ya enjoy!