The Avalanche Hour Podcast

The Avalanche Hour
  • 4.9 (198)
  • Sports
  • Updated Daily

Podcast by Caleb Merrill

  1. Slabs 'n Sluffs: Season in Review

    Jun 18

    Slabs 'n Sluffs: Season in Review

    Join us for our seventh installment of Slabs ‘n Sluff with your hosts Sara Boilen and Dom Baker, joined by Caleb Merrill! The crew discuss spring adventures, summer skiing, and cows raiding Caleb’s food cache at an Andes basecamp!   They also review recent episodes from April and May and preview a few exciting things coming up on the Avalanche Hour Podcast. Tune in to hear from Scott Thumlert and Simon Horton of the ISSW 2026 technical committee to learn more about the process of getting 100s of abstracts ready presenting next fall in Whistler.  Avalanche Hour Podcast hosts Brooke Shiny Edwards, Sean Zimmerman-Wall and Joe Stock leave messages for the crew to shout out learning moments and moments of gratitude from their seasons. Episode Summary: Sara, Caleb and Dom discuss spring adventures, summer skiing and the challenges of keeping a food cache away from a herd of hungry cows. Review of the last month of programming, highlighting interviews that captured the hosts imagination or got us thinking The joys of gravel riding, paddling and hiking for hours in the dirt to find summer snow. The ISSW 2026 technical committee members Scott Thumlert and Simon Horton drop by for a chat Voicemails from Avalanche Hour Podcast hosts Brooke Shiny Edwards, Sean Zimmerman-Wall and Joe Stock. Thanks to the sponsors of the show. Legacy Sponsors: Darren Johnson Avalanche Education Memorial Fund AVSS Drone Amplified Partner Sponsors: Austin Powder Safeback onX Backcountry Music: Ketsa Artwork: Mike Tea  Production: Caleb Merrill, Angie Lake

    1h 11m
  2. Partner Highlight: AVSS

    May 26

    Partner Highlight: AVSS

    Episode Summary: - A conversation with AVSS introduces PAMS, a Precision Avalanche Management System, designed to reliably drop explosives from a drone platform. - The episode explores the prior experience AVSS brings to the avalanche industry from remote drone operations in logistics and military contexts.   - The conversation looks at the development process and field testing with Jasper National Park. - A glimpse at the next 12 months of testing through an early-adopter program. In this episode of The Avalanche Hour Podcast, hosts Caleb Merrill and Dom Baker sit down with the team at AVSS for a conversation about the development process of creating a drone based avalanche control system from the ground up.  You will hear how this technology aims to create opportunities for greater worker safety, reliability of avalanche hazard management and the evolving list of use cases. The episode also examines how these tools could fit into existing avalanche mitigation strategies and what their growing presence signals about the future of the field. Josh from AVSS discusses the field testing process with avalanche control programs in Western Canada and the plans for an early adopter program for winter 2026/27 to further refine the workflow and ensure the technology meets the needs of the avalanche industry. A huge thank you to AVSS for being a Legacy Sponsor of the podcast this season. We couldn’t keep the mics on without them!  Resources from the Episode:  Check out AVSS’s homepage here Check out a story on CBC Radio with Josh from AVSS  LinkedIn YouTube

    41 min
  3. Grief's Gift of Gratitude: Izzy Davis

    May 15

    Grief's Gift of Gratitude: Izzy Davis

    In this episode of The Avalanche Hour Podcast, host Brooke “Shiny” Edwards talks with Izzy Davis, a first-year avalanche forecaster at the Idaho Panhandle Avalanche Center. Izzy shares her path into the ski industry, from growing up in Western Colorado to working as a ski patroller, and eventually moving into public avalanche forecasting. The conversation also touches on a significant personal event: the sudden loss of her partner, Willy Bartlett, while they were skiing together. Izzy reflects on what it was like to be present during the incident and how that experience has influenced both her personal life and her professional direction. Izzy discusses how she has navigated grief while continuing her work in the mountain environment, and how that process has shaped her outlook over time. She speaks about the importance of recognizing the fragility of life, finding moments of gratitude, and continuing to engage meaningfully with her work. The episode offers a thoughtful look at how personal experiences can influence professional roles, particularly in fields like avalanche forecasting, where decision-making and communication carry real weight.  Summary of their conversation: - Izzy shares an intimate first responder’s account of losing a partner while at work as a ski patroller - We delve deeply into the navigation of grief and the ensuing nervous system injury that can occur when this grief is interlaced with the work of a first responder - Izzy shares how her patrol and mountain leadership provided significant support during her season following Willy’s death - Her overarching theme was the gratitude for the gift of presence that she fully embodies and demonstrates throughout our conversation Thanks to the sponsors of the show. Legacy Sponsors: Darren Johnson Avalanche Education Memorial Fund AVSS Drone Amplified Partner Sponsors: CIL Avalanche Safeback onX Backcountry Episode Sponsor: IPA Collective Music: Ketsa Artwork: Mike Tea  Production: Angie Lake

    1h 3m
  4. Beyond the Forecast: Reminiscing with Roddy McGowan and Larry Stanier

    May 11

    Beyond the Forecast: Reminiscing with Roddy McGowan and Larry Stanier

    Tune in for candid stories and a humorous take on the roots of Canadian avalanche work. Bruce Jamieson is joined by Larry Stanier to interview Roddy McGowan. Roddy McGowan is a veteran Canadian mountain guide and avalanche professional who carved out his career the hard way, starting as a ski bum in Whistler in the late 1970s before working his way onto ski patrol at Lake Louise and into the renowned avalanche program at Rogers Pass. Known for his persistence, he failed multiple guiding courses before eventually earning his credentials and going on to guide, and complete major ski traverses across western Canada. Over decades in the mountains, he combined hands-on experience while collecting a lifetime of stories—from early dirtbag winters to serious close calls that shaped his perspective on risk and decision-making. Now retired from guiding and living in Japan, Roddy stays connected to the mountains, still observing snow and reflecting - often with wit - on a career in the mountains. Larry has worked in the avalanche patch since 1982, beginning his career as a ski patroller in the early years at Blackcomb ski area. He started ski guiding in 1986 and is a long standing IFMGA Mountain Guide, working all over the world from Kyrgyzstan to the Japanese Alps. He also then worked for many years in the avalanche consulting business for Chris Stethem and Associates, and for over 20 years taught courses for the Canadian Avalanche Association. Larry has also conducted inspections of helicopter and snow cat skiing operations for Helicat Canada and HeliskiUS. This episode contains lessons on how avalanche safety knowledge developed through experience, mentorship, mistakes, and reflection—not just formal science ​Tune in to hear stories from the Canadian avalanche industry of the 80s and 90s - including Blackcomb and Rogers. ​Roddy McGowan reflects candidly on the “human factors” leading to a significant avalanche burial of a snowcat.​The development of avalanche science and standards under the rigorous leadership of Fred and Walter Schleiss at Rogers Pass.​Stories from ski traverses with minimal equipment by modern standards, and the ensuing adventures. Thanks to the sponsors of the show. Episode Sponsor: ⁠Propagation Labs⁠ Legacy Sponsors: Darren Johnson Avalanche Education Memorial Fund AVSS Drone Amplified Partner Sponsors: CIL Avalanche Safeback onX Backcountry Use the code avalanchehour to receive 30% off a year of onX Backcountry Elite or Premium Music: Ketsa Artwork: Mike Tea Production: Angie Lake Support the Show, Buy some Merch!

    54 min
  5. Partner Highlight - A Conversation with Drone Amplified

    Apr 15

    Partner Highlight - A Conversation with Drone Amplified

    Episode Summary: - A conversation with Drone Amplified, the team introduces Montis, a drone-based system designed to deliver explosives remotely with greater precision and safety.  - The episode traces the history of avalanche mitigation, from early explosive use in 1939 to modern tools aimed at reducing human exposure. - Technology evolved from wildland firefighting and what makes its electronic ignition system a significant advancement. - A forward-looking perspective on how emerging technologies like drones may reshape the industry in the years ahead In this episode of The Avalanche Hour Podcast, host Caleb Merrill sits down with the team at Drone Amplified for a conversation rooted around a single question: how can the avalanche industry continue to use effective avalanche mitigation strategies while reducing the significant hazard exposure for avalanche workers? They explore the evolution of avalanche control technology and introduce Montis, a drone-based system designed to deliver explosives remotely with increased precision and safety. You will hear how this technology originated in wildland firefighting, the advantages of electronic ignition systems, and what makes drone deployment a potential game changer for reducing worker exposure. The episode also examines how these tools could fit into existing avalanche mitigation strategies and what their growing presence signals about the future of the field. This episode offers both a grounded look at the realities of avalanche work today and a forward-looking perspective on how emerging technologies like drones may reshape the industry in the years ahead. A huge thank you to Drone Amplified for being a Legacy Sponsor of the podcast this season. We couldn’t keep the lights on without them!  Resources from the Episode:  Check out Drone Amplified’s homepage here Check out a video on their technology, Montis Music: Ketsa Artwork: Mike Tea  Production: Caleb Merrill, Angie Lake

    1h 17m
  6. Facets, Science, Avalanche Problems & Public Communication: Mark Staples chats with Bruce and Caleb

    Apr 8

    Facets, Science, Avalanche Problems & Public Communication: Mark Staples chats with Bruce and Caleb

    In this episode of The Avalanche Hour, Caleb Merrill makes another appearance to sit down with Mark Staples, director of the Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center, and avalanche researcher/educator Bruce Jamieson. The group discuss heavyweight topics in the avalanche industry such as snow-surface energy exchange, near-surface faceting, and communicating avalanche hazard.  Staples recounts his path from powder skiing to avalanche work, his research on snow-surface energy balance, and his experience connecting with varied user groups. Jamieson describes collaborating with Staples on educational videos and credits Karl Birkeland’s 1998 papers for focusing attention on near-surface faceting. Staples also contrasts surface hoar (vapor deposition) with near-surface facets (metamorphism of existing snow grains), and they cover conditions that promote growth, including cooling to a clear sky and relative humidity. The conversation also explores simplifying avalanche problem types, terrain-based risk management, the public’s interest in science, and learning from accidents.  Thanks to the sponsors of the show! Legacy Sponsors: Darren Johnson Avalanche Education Memorial Fund AVSS Drone Amplified Partner Sponsors: CIL Avalanche Safeback onX Backcountry Episode Sponsor: Arva Music: Ketsa Artwork: Mike Tea  Production: Caleb Merrill, Bob Keating

    58 min
  7. Slabs and Sluffs: March in Review

    Apr 1

    Slabs and Sluffs: March in Review

    Join us for our sixth installment of Slabs ‘n Sluff with  your hosts Sara Boilen and Dom Baker! Sara and Dom discuss the joy of powder turns in low hazard terrain, slope tests on small features and the upcoming spring skiing season.  They also review recent episodes from March and take a look at what is coming up for April on the Avalanche Hour Podcast. Tune in to hear from the ISSW 2026 organizing committee about everything to look forward to from Whistler next fall.   Sara Boilen holds a doctorate in clinical psychology from the University of Denver (2011). Professionally, she works with individuals who have had interactions with the justice system often in the spirit of helping to make sense of behavior and context. She has taken her professional interests and merged it with her recreational interests to contribute to the field of avalanche sciences in her free time. She is specifically interested in human-related problems and solutions. Dr. Boilen has presented at seven Snow and Avalanche Workshops and at ISSW in Norway. She has written articles for The Avalanche Review and was a co-author on the recently proposed conceptual framework for human factors in avalanche terrain. She lives in Northwest Montana and will carry dessert for you to the top of any mountain her skills will take her to. Dom Baker is an avalanche technician with the BC Ministry of Transportation at Kootenay Pass, occasional avalanche course instructor and adventure buddy to his kids.   Episode Summary: - Sara and Dom discuss winter weather patterns, adapting to rapidly changing ski conditions, and look ahead to spring - Review of the last month of programming, highlighting interviews that captured the hosts imagination or got us thinking - Safely poking around on small features to build a better picture of the avalanche hazard - The ISSW 2026 organizing committee drop by for a chat - A voicemail from a listener. Thanks to the sponsors of the show. Legacy Sponsors: Darren Johnson Avalanche Education Memorial Fund AVSS Drone Amplified Partner Sponsors: CIL Avalanche Safeback onX Backcountry Music: Ketsa Artwork: Mike Tea  Production: Dom Baker, Bob Keating

    1h 6m
  8. The Human Factor Hack: Getting Mindful with Sasha Dingle

    Mar 26

    The Human Factor Hack: Getting Mindful with Sasha Dingle

    Summary of the Conversation:  -Exploring the societal pressures as human factor on professional athletes -Sasha shares how she balances decision making in the backcountry with a very mindful approach inclusive of her nervous system -Sasha cracks the code on the best Human Factor Hack; creating mindful presence in a meditative, naturalist inquisitive approach to the mountains. -Sasha talks about the preventative nature of choosing backcountry partners by engaging in conversations that share each others unique stress signatures and what each partner needs in high risk scenarios.   Sasha is a professional skier and meditation teacher, and the founder and director of Mountain Mind Project. She has spent her lifetime training her mind and body. Sasha has competed at the highest level of skiing and mountain biking, winning the Freeskiing World Tour and competing on the Freeride World Tour and Enduro World Series. In high school, she was invited to travel with the National Development System and race internationally in the recruitment pipeline for the U.S. Ski Team. She’s always loved the mental game.  Her meditation practice grew out of her time as a competitive athlete. Sasha saw – in herself and those she loved – how accidents, trauma and life’s load can compound over a career. During years of illness and chronic pain, Sasha became a qualified Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Teacher by the UCSD School of Medicine MBPTI. Sasha’s style of meditation is to engage fully within the inherent risk of life, refined from her time spent in the inherent risk environment of mountains. Her mission is to normalize that the health in mental health can be cultivated – through deep relationship to self, others and the natural world from meditation practice.   Sasha is the daughter and granddaughter of Vietnam war refugees and keeps one foot planted in the Mountain West of the U.S. and the other in the Mekong of Vietnam. Thanks to the sponsors of the show. Legacy Sponsors: Darren Johnson Avalanche Education Memorial Fund AVSS Drone Amplified Partner Sponsors: CIL Avalanche Safeback onX Backcountry Episode Sponsor: OpenSnow Music: Ketsa Artwork: Mike Tea  Production: Caleb Merrill, Bob Keating

    1h 4m
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4.9
out of 5
198 Ratings

About

Podcast by Caleb Merrill

Information

  • Creator
    The Avalanche Hour
  • Years Active
    2017 - 2026
  • Episodes
    249
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © The Avalanche Hour
  • Show Website
    The Avalanche Hour Podcast

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