​ Last season, I had many students ask me about the upcoming "split" to avalanche education and training in the US. As I learned more via instructor refreshers and emails from the AAA & AIARE, I decided to create a post that clearly articulates the changes. Hope this helps! First, to understand the split, you need to understand how Avalanche Education is structured and facilitated in the US. Hx Preceeding the Split in US Avalanche Education and Training From A3's website- In

Many of you know I'm big a big fan of Home Turf Advantage. Learning an area/zone/range and watching how that chunk of backcountry changes seasonally/annually is a sure way to keep you safe, more aware and deeply connected to the places we visit in the wintertime. Without a blanket of snow, you can observe a location's topography in the nude. When my favorite backcountry spots are bare, I look for/note/photograph slope angles and convexities. I observe and determine which bowl

What an amazing fall! After taking late spring and summer off from field work and completing a quick start up contract in Durango, I emerged into autumn a free man. Rested and recharged, I enjoyed the fruits of being fun-employed. I will never take it for granted how blessed I am. Highlights include multiple trips across Telluride’s Via Feretta with new guests and returning friends. There were also some great guided peak climbs, challenging backcountry mountain bike excursion