Dudley Improta, an avalanche specialist with the West Central Montana Avalanche Foundation (WCMAC), carefully digs a pit on a finger ridge, high on the slopes of Morrell Mountain, in the Swan Range east of Seeley Lake. He uses the blade of his aluminum shovel to shave the sides, isolating a cross-section of the snow as […]
Inland NW Avalanche Awareness Read More »
Mountain Gear ($1,049-$1,149) Touring in the backcountry can be risky. Avy danger is a real threat that backcountry enthusiasts do their best to avoid or mitigate. Enter Black Diamond’s Avalanche Airbag Packs. From one-lap runs to all-day tours, the Black Diamond JetForce Pack is built to store essential gear and provide an innovative addition to
Black Diamond JetForce Avalanche Airbag Packs Read More »
The Northwest Avalanche Center is a collaboration between the U.S. Forest Service Northwest Avalanche Center and the non-profit Northwest Avalanche Center. It provides mountain weather and avalanche forecasting along with free intro to avalanche awareness classes. (Nwac.us) The Idaho Panhandle Avalanche Center, which works with Idaho Parks and Recreation, provides current advisories. It offers free
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I rolled into the foyer of an outfitter that had inundated Facebook with advertisements about a $5 Avalanche Awareness event. The atmosphere was that of distant relatives conversing at an annual reunion rather than the cinematic and sonic overload and the packed-in crowds at the mountain film festivals. The event facilitator started by showing slides
Explore the Winter Wilds Safely—Be Avalanche Aware Read More »
Riding season is upon us, including the influx of powder-enticing ski/snowboard movies. As we watch in awe as the pros rip and slash through the scenes, the allure of riding powder in the backcountry becomes ever more present in our own dreams. We think, “Maybe this year I will venture out into the side/backcountry,” to
Avalanche Safety Classes: If You’re Going to Ski or Ride the Backcountry, Be Prepared Read More »
Itching to get up to the mountain? Dreaming of first tracks? Yeah, so are we. In between praying for powder and inventing a snow dance, check out these two ski and snowboard film premiers. Spread the Shred Video Premiers will take over the Garland Theatre for its second year on November 6th. Five bucks will
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Jonckers skiing in Idaho. In case you haven’t heard about the avalanche threat in the backcountry here’s a report from OTM writer Jon Jonckers: I can tell you first-hand from backcountry skiing in the Selkirks above Priest Lake (near the Sundance Burn), these are the worst avalanche conditions I have ever seen. And it seems
This weekend the bodies of three snowboarders who were killed in an avalanche in the Cascades in December were finally recovered. How can you help prevent more avalanche deaths in the future? See below: The Friends of the Northwest Weather and Avalanche Center is collaborating with NWAC to upgrade the website (http://nwac.us) for NWAC forecasts
You Can Help With Avalanche Data Read More »
Spokane Regional Air Support Unit (SRASU) is now equipped with RECCO technology to help quickly locate people who are lost, injured or victims of an avalanche or similar emergency. SRASU recently received a RECCO helicopter detector, provided at no cost by RECCO, and was trained in its use. The way the technology helps Search and
RECCO Technology Added to Spokane Regional Air Support Read More »
AirFlare, the app that turns your smartphone into an outdoors rescue locator, is now in use by ski patrol at all five ski areas within a 2-hour drive of Spokane. Mt. Spokane and 49° North recently signed on as AirFlare partners, joining early adopters Lookout Pass, Silver Mountain, and Schweitzer. The result is a robust
Airflare Rescue System in Use at All Local Ski Areas Read More »
