Unpacked Podcast: AIARE Instructor Randall Osterhuber Explores the Science Behind Avalanches and How to Avoid Them During the 2019/2020 ski season, roughly 23 avalanche fatalities were reported. This is just two shy of last season, despite the early closing of all US ski resorts and authorities discouraging risky backcountry travel. In this episode of the Unpacked Podcast, host Justin Zawilinski talks with Randall Osterhuber, a member of Tahoe Nordic Search and Rescue, AIARE instructor, and seasoned […] Avalanche SnowBrains | May 29, 2020 0 Comments
Explained: Avalanche Terrain Traps Words by the Norwegian Avalanche Center 4/28/20 Consequence thinking is important! Avoid terrain traps! What happens if? A question that should be asked continuously when making your track choices ski touring. What are the consequences if we release and are caught in an avalanche? Or if an avalanche releases above us? Terrain traps are terrain formations that make the consequences of […] Backcountry Guest Author | May 2, 2020 1 Comment
Utah Avalanche Center: Uncertainty, Risk, & Decision Making: Before, During, and After COVID-19 The following blog post is by guest author, UAC observer, and Wasatch Backcountry Alliance vice president Tom Diegel. This post is not intended to represent the official opinions of the UAC. Instead, it is to offer a starting point for constructive discussions and thoughts about how to recreate during the current health care crisis. The State of Utah has information […] Backcountry Guest Author | April 11, 2020 1 Comment
Can Earthquakes Cause Avalanches? Yes, they can. A 6.5 magnitude earthquake was reported yesterday, March 31, in the Sawtooth Mountains of Idaho near the town of Stanley. The earthquake hit right at the tail end of a storm that dropped 2-3 feet of snow (HIGH avalanche danger), making it a very rare event. The Sawtooth Avalanche Center is saying that observers in Stanley heard […] Avalanche AvyBrains | April 1, 2020 0 Comments
Utah Avalanche Center Director Speaks on Backcountry Use During the COVID-19 Crisis [arve url="https://youtu.be/3Ii3mj_QtUA"] Martin Kuprianowicz | April 1, 2020 Likes Tweets 0 Comments
42 Human-Triggered Avalanches in Utah in Past 5-Days!! The string of human triggered avalanches continues in the backcountry. In the past five days, we’ve had 42 human triggered avalanches with 14 people being caught and carried. Yesterday was no exception with another seven human-triggered slides and three people going for rides. – Utah Avalanche Center, 3/30/20 Utah just saw 42 human-triggered avalanches in the backcountry in the past […] Avalanche AvyBrains | March 30, 2020 0 Comments
COVID-19 Pandemic Forces Avalanche Canada to Stop Forecasting Early Avalanche Canada will issue its final avalanche forecast for the season this week — a month earlier than usual. The organization has said that their decision is due to lack of reliable data and concerns for the healthcare system which is currently being stressed by the COVID-19 pandemic. They outlined in a press release: “Avalanche Canada will issue its final […] Industry News AvyBrains | March 26, 2020 0 Comments
VIDEO: Sierra Avalanche Center Shows Current Instability in the Snowpack, Reveals Persistent Weak Layer This observation was taken on Hidden Peak yesterday, March 17, 2020. Listen for persistent weak layer failure. Full Observation can be found on the Sierra Avalanche Center website. Avalanche AvyBrains | March 18, 2020 0 Comments