Behind the Scenes of Avalanche Forecasting - FIFTY+ Bonus Episode
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 5 фев 2025
- The avalanche forecast is as important as skis for a backcountry skier. But how exactly doest the forecast get made? Going behind the scenes with the Sierra Avalanche Center, in benefit of the American Avalanche Association (A3), to see what goes into those daily avalanche forecasts that help backcountry skiers stay educated and alive.
Please support: www.americanav...
Produced by: Summit Lunch Productions LLC & B.Colective
Edited by: Hennie van Jaarsveld
Cinematography: Cody Townsend
Graphics & Art: Gary Martin - GPM Design
FIFTY+ Intro Animation: Blair Richmond - Khyber Creative
FIFTY+ Intro Music: Paddy Fletcher
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Discover the terrain and 70% off OnX Backcountry: bit.ly/4fY7fma
Use the OpenSnow App that keeps us current on the conditions: bit.ly/3TTZhA5
The GEAR to Get the Goods: bit.ly/Alpengl...
SALOMON Skis MTN 96, Echo 106 Skis and QST X: bit.ly/Salomon...
SALOMON MTN Summit Boot: An incredible mix of lightweight walkability and downhill ski performance. As a 200lb ex-ski racer, I've been amazed how well this 1200g boot can ski. From Emerald Bay Chutes to Alaskan Expeditions, these are my go to's. bit.ly/4h3ZcFk
SALOMON MTN Pure Binding: Maybe the most reliable and durable tech binding of the last 20 years. Simple, strong and effective. There is a reason this binding hasn't changed it 7+ years, it's hard to make it better. And when I'm at the resort or just beyond, the SALOMON SHIFT is my easy go to with full DIN settings and touring mode with a quick crossover. bit.ly/4fTJETx
SMITH Pursuit Glasses: If it's stormy or sunny, you're biking or hiking, ski touring and downhill shredding, the Pursuits were made for it. The all-around, go anywhere, do anything glasses. This glasses have coverage matching that of googles, breathability, moldable comfort and light changing optics. bit.ly/SMITHPu...
SMITH Summit Helmet: I designed this helmet with SMITH to go light and go far. Meeting the needs of any level of technical (or not) backcountry adventure, this triple certified design meets global alpine ski certification plus international mountaineering standards. bit.ly/summita...
HESTRA Fall Line Glove: bit.ly/falllin...
POMOCA Skins Free Pro2.0: bit.ly/PomocaAG50
YETI: bit.ly/YETIAlp...
LE BENT Base layers & Cody Townsend Pro Series Sock: I designed these socks with the team at Le Bent to be the ultimate backcountry go to. Super comfy and warm with a bit of silicone placed in all the right places to keep sock right where you want it and never bunched where you don't. bit.ly/lebentc...
ZipFit GFT Liner: Looking for more downhill performance out of your touring boot? Just throw in a pair of GFT's and be amazed how much better your boot performs. The added weight is worth the extra performance. bit.ly/ZipfitAG50
Sidas CRT Liner: When the GFT is too much, pair it down with the CRT. For it's weight, it has strong downhill performance characteristics along with breathability and quick drying capability. My go to for big days on the East Side or Expeditions. bit.ly/SidasTh...
ORTOVOX Litric Tour 40 Airbag Pack: It's a nightmare traveling with canister activated Airbags. I've done it for years and I can't tell you how happy I am to move on from canisters after the introduction of the best electronic inflation device there is, the Lictric. bit.ly/litric
Hyperlite Mountain Gear- Making a collection of packs (and durable lightweight accessories) that cross everything from a super light 27oz day pack in the Aspect 32 to a four season do everything pack in the Headwall 55. I'm personally partial to the Crux 40 specifically designed for ski mountaineering, alpine missions and steep skiing. bit.ly/Ortovox...
Petzl Gully: The axe that revolutionized ski mountaineering. bit.ly/PetzlGu...
Mountain Flow Glide Wax: A quick rub on wax that lives in my backcountry kit for extra glide when the snow is a little stickier than you thought. Plus, knowing that you're not using traditional ski waxes which are toxic for waterways, wetlands and animal habitats, will actually make you want to use it. bit.ly/MtnFlow...
Tenacious Tape: 3”x20” Black: Lives in my backcountry kit because I’m a klutz and put holes in my outerwear, tents, sleeping bags and more very often. Too often to admit just how much. Do not go on a ski trip without it. bit.ly/Tenacio...
TINCUP Whiskey:When I am back at camp or the car, TINCUP is my nip of choice to expedite the wind down and put me squarely into recovery mode. bit.ly/TINCUP bit.ly/TINCUP
See more of my gear here: bit.ly/Alpengl...
![BLACK BAG - Official Trailer [HD] - Only in Theaters March 14](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Du0Xp8WX_7I/mqdefault.jpg)
non-profit avy organisations are great, but in my opinion the work that for-profit avalanche forecasters like the sonoroan avalanche center are doing is more importanter
This is astroturfing for Big Facet.
Enjoyed the video. Loved that he exploded the props at the end.
Awesome film! I'm sure this was filmed before the USFS hiring freeze happened, but it would be great to mention how the hiring freeze is impacting avalanche centers around the US and the potential impact on safety for recreational users if avalanche forecasters are deemed non-critical in the future. It's a scary world right now and backcountry users ought to band together to protect the forecasters that we rely upon so much.
This was a wonderful concept. I would love to see more avalanche education-related content here. Thanks Cody and Thank you Sierra Avalanche Center!
Cody: Absolutely terrific education on the "sausage-making", science, fitness needed, and dedication to promoting the safety of back-country skiers/riders! Many thanks to you, Andy, and the Avy Forecaster team for all they do! 👍
Thank You! Wonderful vision to pull back the curtain for everyone.
Andy you’re a legend! Thank you for all that you do.
That was awesome, thanks Cody. Big shout out to all the avy forecasters!
Thanks for putting this out Cody. Interesting and good to see.
And thank you A3 for all the work you do, and all the avalanche centers around the world.
Indispensable….
Love how you’re delving into these important aspects of the backcountry.
Last time I was this early Cody was skiing Superior
Thanks Cody it make me more appreciate those reports
Andy Anderson from American Avalanche Association, aka A5
He also makes portaledges, as a side hustle.
@@RyanLynch-e9e And has the FKT on the Grand and (I believe still) Longs Peak.
Thanks, good video. Would not mind a few more on this subject.
Interesting stuff, but a further episode to highlight how the risk profile changes by aspect, wind loadings, time of day, etc., would be beneficial. Bearing in mind the maxim "a little knowledge is dangerous".
Also, in such a litigious world, how does such a shoestring operation afford liability insurance, in case of being sued? Is cover provided by the resorts, or national avy centre?
I wouldn't trust a science expert that didn't have an awkward handshake and was prone to lengthy awkward silences. Put those on your forecaster resume too!
2:06 It's actually how the pyramids were made
You gotta figure out how to get sponsored by caltopo
I thought Andy Anderson would be busy writing How To columns
I'm not sure I learned anything here. For A3 to reach out to get influencers and athletes to promote, it was a disappointment to see that the SAC didn't have a refined presentation of exactly what goes into the forecast. There was some skiing, some measuring, some sitting in recliners typing on a laptop, but that was it. Could have shown like close up of what the layers looked like, what he was looking at through the loop, some of the data, etc. Maybe even like a pictogram of how avalanches form and then what it looks like in the wild.
Tip my hat
Let’s talk about the additional hazards that modern, post global warming forecasting presents..lots of folks went to a training talk in a bar years ago but today’s melt freeze situation must mean constant vigilance?
No forecaster is relying on a training talk from a bar years ago
A3 funded by USAID by any chance?
Doubtful. USAID is foreign aid, some call it “soft power” to make friends and gain influence in developing countries. That’s only as far as I know.
No, because USAID funds external programs, not programs in the USA. Let's not get political. National Avalance Centers like Sierra Avalanche Center highlighted here is a public-private partnership funded between nonprofits and USDA's US Forest Service (USFS). USFS also provides personnel, like those in the video. One point Cody should have made, since this was a reach out by A3, was the funding shortfall of these avalanche centers. So donations to the non-profits in the partnerships is needed since USFS funding has been scaled back.
Support your local avalanche forecast the old fashioned way: donate money.