The Avalanche Hour Podcast
The Avalanche Hour
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We start this episode with Jayne Thompson-Nolan stopping by to give us an update from the American Avalanche Association (A3). She highlights some of the initiatives and achievements from the last year, provides some member updates, and talks about opportunities for grants, scholarships, and continuing education.
We then launch into an interview with IFMGA guide Evan Stevens. Evan is the owner of Zenith Mountain Guides in Squamish, BC. Originally from New York, Evan has always felt a strong pull to climbing and skiing and landed a job with the Utah Avalanche Center after completing college in Vermont. Evan reflects on some pivotal learning moments from some influential mentors during his time at the UAC. We chat about some of the similarities and differences in the structure of guide education and progression in the United States and Canada. Evan talks about the importance of understanding the resolution of the avalanche forecast that you may be utilizing to plan your day. He describes why he and one of his partners started a newsletter: The Weekly South Coast Ski Conditions Report and how it can help local riders add value to the AvCan forecast.
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This episode was made possible through the support of:
OpenSnow: Use code Avalanche50 to receive 50% off your premium All Access subscription!
Music: Age Diamante
In this episode of The Avalanche Hour, host Sean welcomes special guest Jess Shade. A high-altitude ski mountaineer, queer woman, and licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor in Utah and Michigan. Jess brings a unique blend of personal experience and professional expertise to discuss the intricate relationship between mental health and mountain environments.
Together, they delve into the mindsets of those who inhabit the mountains, exploring therapy-based ideas that help individuals process daily events, inclusion, and trauma. Jess shares insights on the changing culture regarding mental health in the snow world, highlighting tools like the Responder Alliance’s Stress Continuum and principles from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to promote resilience and psychological flexibility.
They also discuss Jess’s work with organizations like the American Alpine Club’s Climbing Grief Fund and the Utah Avalanche Center, as well as her involvement with Utah’s LGBTQ+ community through the LGBTQ+ Affirmative Therapist Guild of Utah.
Socials:
Links:
LGBTQ+ Affirmative Therapist Guild of Utah - An organization of therapists who meet monthly for continuing education. The website has a list of licensed clinicians in Utah who are affirming and trained in working with queer people.
Mountain Queers - An organization supporting representation and equity for queer and trans folx in mountain sport.
Responder Alliance - works to build awareness of stress injury and increase resilience for folks who work in austere environments. Please note they are largely focused on prevention, however many of the resources and tools are very applicable and provide a good foundation for having conversations around stress and trauma.
Climbing Grief Fund, American Alpine Club - CGF hosts a therapist directory and offers individual grants of up to $600 to individuals who have experienced grief or trauma related to climbing, alpinism, or ski mountaineering. You do not have to be a member of the American Alpine Club to apply for a CGF grant.
American Avalanche Association - The A3 Avalanche Resilience Project also hosts a therapist directory with folks who have familiarity with the industry. A3 also offers a "resilience grant" of up to $500 to Professional and Affiliate members who are interested in pursuing therapy.
Survivors of Outdoor Adventures and Recovery (SOAR) - SOAR offers professionally-facilitated peer support groups for folks who have experienced loss or trauma in the outdoors. I just attended one of their community connection workshops on grief and trauma and found it very helpful. Get in touch with this wonderful organization!
Mountain Muskox - For our northern friends, Mountain Muskox is a fantastic organization that offers professionally-facilitated in person peer support circles in BC and Alberta. They also offer a weekend gathering each fall.
Sponsors for this episode:
Gordini - Use code snowpro40 to receive 40% off Gordini gear through October. (Code:SnowPro40)
Beacon Guide Books: Use the code AVSAR to get 25% off the Avalanche Search + Rescue: A Backcountry Field Guide
OpenSnow: Use code avalanche50 to receive 50% off their premium subscription.
Crew:
Creator - Caleb Merrill
Host - Sean Zimmerman-Wall
Producer - Cameron Griffin
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Music:
Age Diamante - Chill Pah
Episode 9.2: Dr. Sara Boilen Interviews Cody Townsend.
Cody Townsend discusses The Fifty Project , a web series documenting his attempt to climb and ski all 50 classic ski descents of North America. He reflects on the transition from being seen as a fearless, ego-driven skier to showcasing vulnerability and the behind-the-scenes reality of the sport. Cody shares his experience of a traumatic trip in Alaska where he encountered his limits and felt overwhelmed by fear. He discusses the consequences of risk-taking and the importance of pushing oneself and embracing failure. Cody Townsend reflects on the importance of encountering fear and discomfort to live a richer, more three-dimensional life. He discusses how challenging situations in the mountains can lead to contentment and a deeper appreciation for everyday life. However, he also acknowledges the need to balance risk-taking with its consequences on oneself and the community. Townsend emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and self-analysis in decision-making, as well as the need to prioritize coming home at the end of the day. He discusses how becoming a parent has shifted his perspective and made him reevaluate the level of risk he is willing to take. Townsend plans to regain trust in himself by slowly reintegrating into the mountains without putting pressure on himself.
Thank you to the sponsors of this episode:
Gordini: Use code snowpro40 to receive 40% Gordini gear through October.
OpenSnow: Use code avalanche50 to receive 50% off their premium subscription.
IPA Collective: Industry pros sign up here for great pro-deals.
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Fall is here and winter is right around the corner! Welcome back to Season 9 of The Avalanche Hour Podcast.
In today's episode, Caleb sits down with IFMGA guide and co-founder/CEO of Aspect Avy, Jeff Banks. Jeff's mission in life is to help people do dangerous things -the safest way possible. He's happiest when he's in the mountain mountains helping people live long & adventurous lives.
Jeff has a 20+ year career working as an avalanche professional in the realms of avalanche forecasting, explosive work, and guiding. Jeff is an AMGA instructor team member and examiner in addition to the avalanche training he teaches to the US Special Forces. He has spent 16 winters guiding and skiing in Chamonix, has been a US Ski Mountaineering Champion, and former head coach of Colorado's Olympic Development Nordic Team. Jeff lives in Crested Butte, Colorado with his daughter.
Jeff and Caleb chat about some pivotal moments in Jeff's career that gave him pause about the amount of risk he was taking on while skiing and ski guiding in avalanche terrain. This spurred him to think about a better way to approach traveling in and near avalanche terrain. Aspect Avy was born out of this and Jeff unpacks what this new tool has to offer to winter backcountry enthusiasts.
Thanks to the sponsors of this episode:
Check out the ski that Jeff helped design with Romp Skis. The Romp Shepard 99 was designed to meet his needs as a mountain guide. From deep powder to steep frozen corn -They're his all time favorite ski in every condition. It's what the U.S. Special Forces use & about 20 of his guests. They will change your skiing & possibly alter the course of your life.
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Avalanche Education Scholarships- Deadlines Approaching!
Darren Johnson Avalanche Education Memorial Fund (deadline October 9th)
American Avalanche Association (A3) Education Scholarships
