A snowboarder in Rollins Pass outside of Denver, Colorado, snapped his ankle after a 100-foot fall down a steep snowfield. First responders safely evacuated the 27-year-old in what the听Grand County Search and Rescue (GCSAR) described as a “dangerous and difficult rescue鈥� on September 8.

The Boulder County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) wrote in an that a distress call came in at 2:25 P.M. notifying first responders that an individual had suffered serious injuries on Skyscraper, a permanent snowfield in the Indian Peaks Wilderness, north of Rollins Pass. Located on the Continental Divide, this feature has an elevation of around 12,000 feet.

 

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鈥淭he patient, a 27-year-old male, was initiating a snowboard descent of the glacier when he fell, sliding and tumbling approximately 100 feet down the snowfield,鈥� said the BSCO. He eventually came to rest in a bergschrund, a deep crevasse that forms at the head of a glacier.

Professional and volunteer rescuers from a variety of local organizations mobilized to assist the fallen snowboarder. That afternoon, a helicopter inserted a team of rescuers onto a ridgeline above the snowfield. By 5:45 P.M., members of the Rocky Mountain Rescue Group听had reached the patient and provided medical care.

Using a pulley system, personnel performed a technical rescue at approximately 150 feet up the 45- to 50-degree snow slope, GCSAR wrote in a . The team then hauled the snowboarder up a short, steep section of loose rock to a landing zone. Here, a MedEvac helicopter flying with night vision goggles airlifted the snowboarder off the mountain. Responding organizations reported that the mission was concluded shortly after midnight.

“This mission demonstrates comprehensive collaboration between Boulder and Grand first responders to complete a dangerous and difficult rescue. As always, there is no charge for search and rescue in Colorado,” wrote GCSAR.

In most of the United States, search and rescue services are provided by volunteers free of charge. But some counties are exploring ways to penalize outdoors enthusiasts who require rescue if their behavior is deemed negligent or irresponsible.

Some social media users questioned the validity of free rescue听policies in scenarios that could have been avoided. In response, GCSAR from the Colorado Search and听Rescue Organization that explains the sources of funding for the state鈥檚 volunteer backcountry search and rescue teams, and links to another page focusing on the philosophy behind .

鈥淟aw enforcement organizations 诲辞苍鈥檛 charge when a child goes missing in a city. The Coast Guard doesn鈥檛 charge when they respond to a boat accident. FEMA doesn鈥檛 charge when a building collapses. Why should backcountry search and rescue be any different?鈥� wrote the Colorado Search and Rescue Association in its blog post.

The National Association for Search and Rescue echoed this sentiment, “to eliminate the fear of being unable to pay for having one鈥檚 life saved, SAR services should be rendered to persons in danger or distress without subsequent cost recovery from the person(s) assisted unless prior arrangements have been made.”

Recreationalists in Colorado can also purchase a state , which donates a portion of funds to volunteer teams.

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Apple Watch wearers just got a whole lot more outdoorsy. In a long-awaited push toward greater accessibility, the global mapping platform Trailforks (which is owned by 翱耻迟蝉颈诲别’蝉听parent company, 国产吃瓜黑料 Inc.) announced the rollout of its new Apple Watch app this month. The move provides mountain bikers, trail runners, gravel grinders, moto riders, and hikers with instant, phone-free access to real-time trail maps and activity statistics鈥攄irectly on their wrist.

Nearly 800,000 already connected Trailforks users across 141 countries now have access to an unmatched database of global trails across mountain biking, trail running, ski touring, and hiking disciplines.

鈥淥ur community asked鈥攍oudly鈥攆or Apple Watch support. Today we鈥檙e delivering a true map-on-wrist experience that lets athletes stay present on the trail while still capturing every stat,鈥� said Trailforks general manager Devin Lehman.

is the world鈥檚 most comprehensive crowd-sourced trail discovery and management platform. For more than a decade, it has helped outdoor enthusiasts get outside by providing users with the best tool for planning their next destination and navigating on-trail experiences with safety in mind.

Now, those tools are ready to hit the trail鈥攋ust like you.

App users can access real-time map information and multi-activity stats right on their wrist, keeping recreationalists on route and off their phone. Users can view their exact position on the Trailforks basemap and scope out nearby trailheads and points of interest.

Detailed offline maps can be downloaded, allowing the adventure to continue even when cell service is unavailable. Traildar proximity alerts gently buzz or notify users as they approach waypoints, intersections, or user-defined POIs to stay on course.

Multi-activity recording provides users with a one-tap start for various activities, featuring auto-pause, distance, speed, vertical, heart-rate, and calorie metrics displayed live. Health and performance-tracking metrics ensure users are pushing their limits. Every session can be synced into Apple Health through HealthKit integration, closing rings, and providing insight into long-term trends.

Together, these tools keep users in the flow, regardless of their location.

The Trailforks Apple Watch app is available as a free companion download with the latest Trailforks iOS release on the . As part of the 国产吃瓜黑料 Interactive network, Trailforks empowers millions of adventurers to explore confidently, plan responsibly, and give back to the trails they love.

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Happiness is best when it鈥檚 shared, and as any dog parent knows, outdoor exploration is exponentially enhanced when our furry best friend is along for the ride鈥攐r run, bike, hike, ski, any outdoor activity, really. that people with pets are more likely to spend more time outdoors, exercise more frequently, and generally feel happier than those without pets. In the spirit of International Dog Day, which is celebrated on August 26,听国产吃瓜黑料 team members share听their most incredible outdoor adventures alongside their canine companions.

The Time My Good Boy Helped My Now-Husband Propose

We鈥檇 just hauled heavy backpacks up five miles of trail听to San Leonardo Lake in northern New Mexico. The birds were chirping, the alpine lake glittered beneath the setting sun, and I was hangry, tired, and generally grumpy as I fumbled to set up my backpacking stove.

鈥淏abe, I think Squeaker has something for you,鈥� my husband called from across the campsite. 鈥淗ang on,鈥� I snapped, laser-focused on getting dinner cooking. Then, I glanced down and saw a small box hanging from one of my dogs鈥� collars. I struggled to untie it, and when I looked up again, my now-husband was down on one knee.

Needless to say, I said yes, and now, after a wedding and two kids later, my husband knows never to leave the house without plenty of snacks to ward off my hangry side. 鈥擜bigail Wise, brand director

Brodie鈥� on The Bruce!

Dalmatians have incredible endurance鈥攖hey are the Arabian horse of dog breeds, known for their never-ending energy and stamina. The Bruce Trail, a roughly 558-mile trail on the Niagara Escarpment in Ontario, is literally in our backyard, and Brodie loved long hikes along this scenic trek. Limestone rocks, cedar roots, mud, and stream crossings were all part of the adventure.

During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021, we signed Brodie up for the fundraising event Woof Walk, where he quickly completed his target of 310 miles. His favorite spot was a wooden bench where he鈥檇 stop and take in the scents of the forest and, of course, some well-earned snacks. Hiking was fun, but getting to the trailhead was just as enjoyable. He loved rides in our Volkswagen Westfalia Camper Van! Brodie has since gone to the Rainbow Bridge, but his presence continues to be with us when we head out on The Bruce and every International Dog Day. 鈥擫indsey Ryder, FinisherPix operations manager

The Best Campsite I鈥檝e Ever Had, According to My Dogs

It was the summer in which my second pup was finally old enough to keep up on real trail miles, and I headed for Sun Valley. By some miracle on the July 4th weekend, I found a lakeside campsite in the Sawtooth Mountains in central Idaho with no one else around. Wildflowers spilled across the meadows, the dogs bounded ahead on the trail and drank from streams, and we hiked until their tongues lolled and their paws dragged with that satisfying, bone-deep exhaustion only a good day outside can give.

Back at camp, we swam, built a fire, and watched the light drain off the peaks. With no cell service, my two spoiled house pets immediately rebranded themselves as wild animals鈥攕niffing, digging, howling at the moon, and rolling in whatever smelled the worst. At one point, they looked so wolfy that I half-expected them to take off and never return, but by nightfall, they were snoring in my sleeping bag like the well-groomed suburban pups they are. But honestly, I felt a little feral out there too: no screens, no people, just trails, a dirty body, and two tired dogs. 鈥擲ierra Shafer, lifestyle editorial director

Ruka and the Whale

Ruka Bleau was my soul dog, and over the course of our 17 years together, we summited peaks, visited dozens of national parks, rafted whitewater, and cast our fair share of flies. Though Ruka did everything in his power to keep me happy, his blue merle border collie brain had an affinity for rolling in anything dead, decaying, or otherwise putrid. In 2015, Ruka and I donned our overstuffed backpacks for a 25-mile trek along Northern California鈥檚 .

At one point, Ruka bolted ahead of our girl-team trio to bound headfirst into a small lagoon filled with a bloated whale carcass. We did our best to scrub away the stink, but it鈥檚 safe to say we smelled like a beached whale for days to come. Ruka crossed the Rainbow Bridge in 2023, but his spirit lives on in my two menacing Australian Shepherds, Cholla and Poppy. Ruka reminds us every year to celebrate International Dog Day to the fullest. 鈥擬adison Dapcevich, associate editor

That Time I Took My 60-Pound Dog to Europe

My family and friends thought I was more than a little crazy when I announced my husband and I were moving to Europe, with our 60-pound puppy in tow. Hazelnut, a Great Pyrenees and German Shepherd rescue, quickly realized that life across the Atlantic is a pup’s paradise. Welcome everywhere, from restaurants to museums, she pranced her way across six countries.

While she loved eating calamari in Venice and checking out Christmas markets in Austria, her favorite memories鈥攍ike her mom’s鈥攚ere those that involved outdoor adventures. She did snow zoomies on the cross-country trails under the Matterhorn, hiked between the villages of Italy’s Cinque Terre, and learned to swim in the crystal clear waters of the Adriatic Sea. Now that we’re back in America, she’s wondering what’s up with all these “no dogs allowed” signs. 鈥擬ikaela Ruland, editor-in-chief of National Park Trips

Born to be a Power Hound

We brought Oakley home in mid-March, at eight weeks old, which, in听Colorado, still meant听snow season. He showed zero hesitation when we took him to play after a storm and immediately displayed a love for the white fluff. This got me excited to take him on a few light backcountry tours to share my favorite activity when he鈥檇 be old enough the following winter. After a full year of training, including a significant amount of recall work, it was time.

Oakley broke trail to the top like he鈥檇 done it before, and was a powder rocket on the way down, tongue out and tail wagging the whole way. Every few turns on the first run, I looked back to see unbridled puppy joy chasing me鈥攎y wife close behind, keeping an eye on him鈥攗ntil we got to the bottom. That first day out is still my favorite.

Oakley does most activities with us, but splitboarding seems to be his favorite. Conditions 诲辞苍鈥檛 matter to him; he鈥檚 just pumped there鈥檚 snow on the ground. We鈥檙e always careful with the areas and routes we choose when taking our dog into the backcountry, and keep him close by to our skin track when heading uphill.
鈥擜dam Trenkamp, lab test editor

Let Dogs Be Dogs

We adopted Cameron from a family who needed to give him up, but he had been a pound puppy before then. A bit shy, but sweet as could be, we noticed he didn鈥檛 participate in a lot of the 鈥渄og stuff鈥� other dogs do鈥攏o toys, hesitant to play chase, didn鈥檛 hang his head out the window in the car.

One weekend, we took him along on a hike to our favorite place: Crater Lakes here in Colorado. We went at his pace so he could take in all the new sights and smells as we wound along the path. We let him sniff around as we set up camp among the conifers and wildflowers.

Suddenly, he started barrelling through the blooming flowers, just running as fast as he could with his tongue hanging out the side of his mouth! It was the first time we got to see him truly be a dog, and it brought us immense joy. At 12 years old now, Cam doesn鈥檛 barrel through the wildflowers anymore, but he still loves to snuggle up in the tent next to a lake. 鈥擩en Woodson, engineer

Built for Brunch

Hike a mountain or chill by the lake? Our French Bulldog doesn鈥檛 even pretend to struggle with that choice, especially on International Dog Day. He has a body built for brunch and the personality to match. This little guy is an excellent reminder for us that any time spent outside is time well spent, and it doesn’t always need to be an epic adventure for it to be memorable. 鈥擜lan Crisp, VP business development

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Certain populations, like seasoned outdoor sports fans, are likely well aware of the need to wear sunscreen in winter. After all, developing burns and chapped skin after a day on the slopes is an experience most people don’t easily forget.

But a 2024 conducted by the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) found that nearly one in five Americans 诲辞苍鈥檛 know that you can get sunburned in the winter. The survey went on to note that even those who are aware of the risk aren鈥檛 using sunscreen properly during the colder months and that only six percent听protect their skin while working out or playing sports in the winter.

According to dermatologists, this is cause for concern. 鈥�Ultraviolet (UV)听radiation is present year-round, so proper winter sun protection is very important,鈥� says assistant professor of dermatology at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Excessive UV radiation exposure is linked with a higher risk of , along with and even of your immune system, raising your risk of getting infections.

If you make a point to put on sunscreen before spending time outside in the winter, congrats鈥攜ou鈥檙e doing more than the majority of Americans. But dermatologists say that your winter sunscreen game still may not be as strong as you think. Here鈥檚 what to know about using sunscreen in the winter for the best possible skin protection.

Don鈥檛 Wait Until You鈥檙e 国产吃瓜黑料 to Put On Your Sunscreen

Under ideal circumstances, you鈥檇 apply your sunscreen about 15 minutes before you head outside, says Dr. ,听a dermatologist at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. This gives the sunscreen time to absorb into your skin to protect you.

If you happen to forget to put on sunscreen before you go out, slather it on as soon as you can. Just keep in mind that your skin is for about 15 minutes after the time you put it on, so you can still burn.

You Need to Reapply Your Sunscreen in Winter (And Often)

As in the summer months, it鈥檚 important to reapply your winter sunscreen to maximize your protection. The听AAD recommends reapplying every two hours or anytime after sweating.

鈥淵ou should pay special attention to areas on your face that are exposed, especially your cheeks, nose, lips, and ears,鈥� Massick says. If you鈥檙e planning to spend the day outside, she suggests carrying a sunscreen stick (like this ) or a travel-sized tube, which are petite and easier to carry with you than a full-sized bottle of sunscreen.

Again, if you鈥檙e sweaty, you鈥檒l need to reapply sunscreen more frequently. Parker recommends being extra aware of that if you鈥檙e spending time on the slopes or in any other situation where you鈥檙e surrounded by snow. 鈥淯V intensity is , and snow absorbs very little UV, reflecting 80 percent听of rays,鈥� she says. 鈥淭his means greater potential for UV exposure during winter sports such as skiing and snowboarding.鈥�

One more thing to keep in mind, per , an assistant professor at the Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School: you鈥檒l want to reapply sunscreen if you wipe your face with a towel or your gloves.

The SPF You Use Is Still Important

The AAD recommends applying a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher to all skin not covered by clothing. 鈥淚n the winter, stick to hydrating formulas or moisturizers with SPF to help moisturize the skin and protect the skin barrier from the cold, dry weather while giving UV protection,鈥� says ,听director of cosmetic and clinical research at The Mount Sinai Hospital.

Wassef agrees. 鈥淕iven the dry weather, using sunscreen in cream form may be more moisturizing for the skin,鈥� she says. Some popular choices include , which is reef-friendly and water-resistant, or , which contains vitamin C to protect your skin from free radicals as well as the sun.

Pay Attention to Your SPF’s Ingredients

Keep in mind that there are two main categories of sunscreen ingredients: chemical sunscreens and mineral sunscreens.

Chemical Versus Mineral Sunscreens

Ingredients in mineral sunscreens act as physical blockers that reflect the sun鈥檚 rays off the skin and are primarily formulated with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, Massick explains. Because the UV rays are reflected off the skin, mineral sunscreens provide protection from both UVA rays, which cause skin aging and are linked to skin cancer, and UVB rays, which can cause sunburn and skin cancer.

For those with sensitive skin, Parker says that paying extra attention to ingredients, particularly those found in chemical sunscreen, is a must.

鈥淐hemical sunscreen, such as oxybenzone and avobenzone, cover specific UVA and UVB ranges, so a combination or mixture of chemical ingredients are needed to provide broad-spectrum coverage,鈥� she says. These sunscreens tend to rub in easier than mineral sunscreens, but the chemicals in them mean they have a higher risk of causing topical issues. 鈥淭hose with sensitive skin might experience irritation from chemical sunscreens and should instead use a mineral-based sunscreen which contains zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide,鈥� she says.

She adds that while physical sunscreens tend to be more听opaque and harder to rub in (resulting in that undesirable “white cast” we all strive to avoid), they are less likely to cause rash and irritation.听As a bonus, they鈥檙e also usually more environmentally friendly than their chemical counterparts.

If You Use Chemical Peels or Retinol Creams, Be Extra Mindful of Sun Protection

Chemical peels and retinol creams make your skin extra sensitive to the sun.

This increased sensitivity happens because these treatments thin the stratum corneum, the outermost layer of skin, Massick explains. 鈥淭he stratum corneum serves an essential role as a barrier layer, protecting our skin from environmental insults including UV and maintaining skin hydration,鈥� she says. 鈥淭herefore, for those who routinely use exfoliants, year-round UV protection is critical to minimize sun sensitivity.鈥�

Zeichner agrees. 鈥淚f you are exfoliating the skin or using retinol, it is even more important to wear sunscreen as those ingredients can increase your risk of a sunburn,鈥� he says. Using a sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher and reapplying every two hours should protect you, Zeichner says. But, if you鈥檙e particularly concerned about burns or sun damage, you can increase the SPF.

Coat Your Lips With SPF, Too

Dermatologists agree that it鈥檚 a good idea to use a lip balm with SPF鈥攍ike 鈥攖oo.听鈥淯V protection for the lips is also essential to prevent precancerous damage known as actinic cheilitis,鈥� Parker says. 鈥淭his affects the bottom lip more than the upper lip and presents as rough, scaly patches which can develop small erosions or fissures.鈥�

Parker notes that in addition to being aesthetically irritating, this can develop into skin cancer with time. Skin cancers on the lip can be more challenging to treat and can progress more aggressively if not detected, Massick says. 鈥淧rotect your lips just like you would your skin with SPF directly applied on the lips, whether through a sunscreen product or specific lip product,鈥� she says. 鈥淚f using lip balm, make sure that you are applying liberally鈥攕wipe across the lips three times.鈥�

Can You Still Get Vitamin D from the Sun with Sunscreen On?

Don鈥檛 worry: you鈥檙e not sacrificing your daily dose of vitamin D while wearing SPF. 鈥淓ven with sunscreen, the skin gets enough UV light to create vitamin D,鈥� Zeichner says. However, if you鈥檙e concerned about your vitamin D levels, he suggests having vitamin D-rich foods like milk, salmon, mushrooms, and fortified orange juice.

If you鈥檙e still concerned, Parker suggests consulting with a healthcare provider to have your vitamin D levels checked. If they鈥檙e low, your doctor may suggest a supplement. 鈥淏ecause of these alternative options, it is not worth the risk of developing skin cancer from unprotected sun exposure,鈥� Wassef says.

Just because you can get sunburned in the winter doesn鈥檛 mean you will. Adding a few simple steps to your cold-weather skincare routine will go a long way toward protecting yourself鈥攁nd the quality of your outdoor play.

Want more of听国产吃瓜黑料鈥檚 Health stories?听.

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In the foothills of Colorado, winter creates a wide range of (sometimes dangerous) running conditions. The one I like to avoid the most is the indoor treadmill. I鈥檓 an outdoor animal. Like my yellow lab, Lulu, I sleep and lounge indoors but need to breathe fresh air, run on a natural surface, and be among the trees to ensure consistent happiness.

Unlike my dog, I 诲辞苍鈥檛 have toenails sprouting from the bottoms of my feet, or my running shoes鈥攈andy sharp grips that can dig into just-about-frozen dirt, thin layers of snow, and icy surfaces.

But there鈥檚 an easy solution to my lack of claws. Traction devices that slip easily over any pair of running shoes or hiking boots give me access to the terrain I crave mid-winter: trails. Instead of heading to boring paved paths (thankfully cleared by the City of Boulder), the treadmill, or, worse, waiting until spring to run or hike on those wonderful ribbons that wind through the woods, I grab my traction鈥攁nd my dog鈥攁nd go.

Here’s a quick rundown of my four favorite slip-on spike traction devices for running shoes available today. You only need one pair of fun-enabling winter animal claws to access your regular trails. Note: They come in a range of sizes, which is important so as to not squeeze your foot or fall off on the run, so pay attention to size guides when buying. (And to really shore up your winter running arsenal, especially if you run in frigid temps or deep snow, check out our most recent guide to waterproof winter running shoes.)

If you buy through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission. This supports our mission to get more people active and outside. Learn more.

Black Diamond Distance Spikes

The softshell toe cap of the makes them the most comfortable of any slip-on spikes for running shoes I鈥檝e tried. There鈥檚 no rubber or fabric straps pulling over the top of the foot鈥攊nstead, a full toe cap made of breathable, water-resistant material, with a strap that loops the heel, keeps the chain-linked spikes secure. Underfoot, 14 eight-millimeter-long teeth made of stainless steel that鈥檚 been heat-treated for durability dig into and grip fresh snow and ice. These are also remarkably easy to take on and off, and pack down to the smallest size of the bunch (no bigger than an orange). They live in the small bag they came in inside my running pack all winter long, ready to be deployed when needed. Sizes S-XL; Weight: 8.2 oz (size medium pair); Packed size: Smaller than my fist

Kahtoola Microspikes

are the toothiest of all options, with 12 3/8-inch hardened stainless steel spikes protruding from a 鈥渉arness鈥� made of thermoplastic elastomer (said to retain its elasticity down to -22藲 Fahrenheit). The harness wraps around the toe and holds the spikes on securely. While mostly comfortable, I can, however, feel the straps through the tops of my running shoes more than the full toe cap of the Black Diamond Distance Spikes. A pull-tab at the heel helps with easy on-off when conditions change mid-trail. Microspikes work best on trails with at least an inch of fresh snow, especially when there are icy patches underneath. Sizes: S-XL; Weight: 11.9 oz (size medium pair); Packed size: 5 in x 3 in x 2 in

Kahtoola Exospikes

As opposed to their toothier counterparts that dig deep into snow and ice, the 12 small, flat spikes made of Tungsten carbide of the provide a low-profile surface grip. This makes them great for terrain that鈥檚 mostly ice or mixed dirt and ice, and removes the fear, with a larger spike underfoot, of breaking a metal tooth or landing awkwardly on a rock. A similar, thermoplastic elastomer harness system as found on the Microspikes wraps around the shoe. Sizes S-XL; Weight: 7.3 oz (size medium pair); Packed size: 5.75 in x 3 in x 2 in

YakTrax Run

Yaktrax have long been the 鈥淜leenex鈥� of traction devices, with many outdoors people referring to all traction as such since the brand was among the first to offer winter traction for runners. The original version had metal coils under both the heel and the forefoot. The now has more durable, three-millimeter-deep carbide spikes under the forefoot (similar to Kahtoola Exospikes), while retaining coils under the heel. The combination does a good job on packed snow and ice. These slide over and strap onto shoes via a Velcro closure that secures easily and effectively. The downsides are that they 诲辞苍鈥檛 come with a bag or pack down鈥攖hey fold in half but remain large and awkward鈥攁nd, while mine have not broken, some users report durability issues. Sizes S-XL; Weight: .74 oz (size medium pair); Packed size: Not given (but fold in half to about the size of a sandwich)

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Anyone who skis or snowboards knows: Everything outside of actually making turns is a massive pain in the ass. The exorbitant number of clothing and accessories items required to avoid frostbite and injury. The hardgoods鈥攕kis, snowboards, boots, poles鈥攜ou have to load and unload without wrecking your car, your gear, or your body. The stuff necessary for a comfortable drive home or weekend away. And that鈥檚 all the gear you need even if you鈥檙e skiing or riding alone. Bring along less experienced skiers or riders who could use some help鈥攚hether friends or your children鈥攁nd you may ask yourself if it鈥檚 all even worth it.

I鈥檝e been the beginner friend who requires extra help. I鈥檝e also been the parent shoving a child鈥檚 foot into a ski boot and swearing, not necessarily under my breath. And now I鈥檓 the parent of teenage boys and couldn鈥檛 love ski/snowboard weekends with my family any more than I do. (So if you鈥檙e wrestling with younger kids on the slopes, stick with it; the payoff is great.) I also love taking along family and friends who may need a little extra help. But all that adds up to an additional need to strategize鈥攚ith the right gear鈥攖o make ski and snowboard outings as smooth as possible.

These three things rise to the top of my list of frustration-reducing gear and will be in regular rotation this winter as my family and the occasional friend head to the Colorado high country as often as possible.

Rigstrips SnoStrip

I 诲辞苍鈥檛 remember whose snowboard slid off my bumper last season in the ski hill parking lot, but it took off a chunk of my car鈥檚 paint. To keep it from happening again, I started using the SnoStrip,听 an ingeniously simple contraption. The 16鈥� x 1.5鈥� x .08鈥� magnetic strip attaches to the side of my car or our family truck and acts as an impromptu ski rack when we鈥檙e unloading boards and skis from a rooftop gearbox or the back of the car. It also allows me to tackle this job solo by securing the gear within arm鈥檚 reach while I鈥檓 standing on the side of the truck with an open rooftop box. The soft rubber organizing slats hold snowboards, alpine skis, Nordic skis, or any combination of snow gear, making this contraption a great alternative to leaning gear against the car鈥檚 paint or laying it on a rocky, grimy parking lot surface. When not in use, the SnowStrip lives in the back of the car, barely taking up any space at all.

SMMT Outdoor 35L Powder Tote

听

From December through March, I keep this bag loaded with what I need off the mountain during a weekend ski trip. (I also keep a ski bag packed with what I need on the mountain.) It鈥檚 always ready to go and my shit doesn鈥檛 get mixed up with teenage boys鈥� dirty socks in hastily packed shared bags. I love that this tote-style bag zips shut鈥攎y stuff stays safely shoved inside鈥攁nd the shell and zippers are protectively water-resistant. Internal organizing features, like a laptop sleeve, zippered mesh pocket, water bottle pocket, and small, separate bag that鈥檚 ideal for charging cords help me keep necessities organized.

It鈥檚 lofted like a puffy jacket, which keeps the contents inside a little warmer so I 诲辞苍鈥檛 have to put on cold sweats, and just makes it look like a perfect ski weekender bag. A keychain clip even doubles as a bottle opener. The bag is made with a bluesign-certified manufacturing partner and constructed out of post-industrial, post-consumer recycled materials. And, through , a portion of sales goes to Park City-based Summit Land Conservancy.

Smartwool Hudson Trail Pattern Slippers

I love sharing hotel and lodge rooms with all three of my boys (sons and spouse) and my dog, but none of them wipe their feet enough or take off their snowy shoes when entering a room. That leaves f***ing puddles on the concrete or laminate floor of our most frequented hotels, and I step in those puddles in my socks all the f***ing time. But not anymore. The Smartwool Hudson Slippers have a slightly padded outsole made of nylon/polyurethane that keeps my feet dry so I 诲辞苍鈥檛 have to change my socks multiple times an hour. The Merino wool/nylon/polyester (some of it recycled) blend that makes up the main body of the slippers keeps my feet and lower legs warm and comfortable, to boot.

These three items may not guarantee great snow or make I-70 traffic and lift lines go away, but they have been helping me manage the hassles鈥攁nd get to the fun鈥攐f skiing and snowboarding this winter.

The post Three Things Making My Family Ski Trips Easier appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

Seasonal reading鈥攖hat鈥檚 my boring-but-apt term for enriching the mood and meaning of a certain time of year with the addition of a certain text. Each April, I reach for the 鈥淪pring鈥� chapter in Walden. Every July, I take a lap in E.B. White鈥檚 鈥淥nce More to the Lake.鈥� And in November, when the brown ground freezes and the weatherman predicts five months of blizzard, I cozy up on the couch with a mug of chamomile tea and 鈥淭he Ascending Spiral,鈥� a short, dense essay by the legendary snow scientist Ed LaChappelle.

Lynne Wolfe, editor of The Avalanche Review, which published 鈥淭he Ascending Spiral鈥� in 2005, calls the essay a seminal work. I got turned on to it a decade ago by my friend Jerry Roberts, a retired avalanche forecaster for the Colorado Department of Transportation and self-described 鈥渟now-viewer.鈥� (Seventeenth-century haiku poet Matsuo Basho: 鈥淐ome, let鈥檚 go / snow-viewing / till we鈥檙e buried.鈥�) Roberts and LaChappelle were colleagues and pals. They worked together in the San Juan Mountains in the 1970s and shared a bottle of pisco a mere week before LaChapelle suffered a fatal heart attack at Monarch Pass鈥攕kiing, of course鈥攊n 2007. 鈥淩equired reading,鈥� I was told.

LaChappelle frames听his essay as a contribution to the never-ending discussion among snow-viewers, both professionals and hobbyists, regarding how best to 鈥渆valuate avalanche hazards, consider human factors, and communicate (or execute) decisions.鈥� There is much practical wisdom in these pages, actionable advice for telemarkers, splitboarders, snowmachiners, alpinists, and gonzo backcountry tobogganists. But the really special thing鈥攖he reason I鈥檓 drawn to 鈥淭he Ascending Spiral鈥� each November鈥攊s the brief and tantalizing treatment of rheology and the Deborah Number.

The what and the what?

My initial reaction, too.

Rheology is a branch of physics that deals with the deformation and fluidity of matter. For instance, gummy bears鈥攑op a few in the microwave and behold the freaky carnage. Snow is another fine example, defined by LaChappelle as 鈥渁 granular visco-elastic solid close to its melting point鈥� that subtly, constantly, and complicatedly responds to its environment, fluctuations in temperature and pressure in particular. He asks us to envision a peak in winter. 鈥淔rom the external perspective of a passing observer, snow on a mountainside is just sitting there, apparently dormant. The snow cover, however, is neither static nor dormant, but a positively seething mass of activity.鈥� Learning to see it as such鈥攖o see it as dynamic, as lively and perhaps even alive鈥攊s the challenge and the fun.

Enter the Deborah Number. Proposed in 1964 by the pioneering rheologist Markus Reiner, the concept (it does not refer to a specific, fixed number) takes its name from a Biblical prophetess who sang of the mountains 鈥渇lowing before the Lord.鈥� LaChappelle sums it up like this: 鈥淚n the limited time frame of human perception, the mountains are static and eternal, but for the Lord, whose time frame is infinite, they flow.鈥�

LaChappelle was a Professor of Geophysics and Atmospheric Sciences at the University of Washington and a co-inventor of the modern avalanche transceiver, whereas I flunked Algebra 2, confounded by the damn TI-82 graphing calculator. Nevertheless, this stuff greatly excites me. Per my layman鈥檚 understanding, the Deborah Number is an expression of the relationship between time spent observing natural phenomena and perception of flow鈥攈igh D equals scant time and we 诲辞苍鈥檛 see the flow, low D equals tons of time and we do see the flow. A hastily dug snowpit on an unfamiliar slope (high D) yields 鈥渁 static view of what actually is an active (鈥榝lowing鈥�) snow cover.鈥� LaChappelle continues: 鈥淚n other words, stability evaluation has to be an听ongoing process, the longer the better.鈥� Ideally, it starts on a given avalanche path with the first flakes of winter.

Meticulous and relentless monitoring of this sort is the hallmark of an avalanche听forecaster鈥檚 job. As Jerry Roberts told me in 2016, during an interview I conducted for the Buddhist magazine Tricycle about the Zen-like aspects of patrolling (meditating on?) the sketchy San Juans and their avalanche-prone high-mountain passes: 鈥淵ou鈥檙e afraid to go shopping at the supermarket an hour away because you might miss a wind event. You can鈥檛 be absent from your place. You have to be totally present.鈥� I recall him chuckling, shaking his head, seemingly amazed by the stamina and focus of his younger self. 鈥淵ou 诲辞苍鈥檛 think about Christmas or your wife鈥檚 birthday. You 诲辞苍鈥檛 go on vacation. A series of storms in 鈥�05 lasted ten days. I got very little sleep.鈥� Chuckle, shake. 鈥淔rom November through May, paying attention is what you do. It鈥檚 who you are. There鈥檚 no difference between on and off.鈥�

Indeed, for the snow-viewer whose entire existence is devoted to detecting and registering slow-motion transformations occurring at both micro and macro scales, whose sacred daily mantra is lower the D, lower the D, lower the D, lower the D, the on-versus-off question is moot. Case in point: After a career in the field researching glaciers, LaChappelle retired to a remote cabin in McCarthy, Alaska and busied himself tracking鈥攕urprise, surprise鈥攖he nuanced behavior of his local glaciers.

I鈥檓 sporadic and undisciplined when it comes to studying the ever-shifting details and ever-morphing character of Colorado鈥檚 Elk Mountains, my home range. Hence my need to sit with 鈥淭he Ascending Spiral鈥� each November as the thermometer鈥檚 mercury plunges and the touring gear beckons from my mudroom鈥檚 cobwebby corner. I skin up and float down a couple mildly dangerous peaks most winters鈥攂eacon, shovel,听probe, goofy buddies, and lots of laughs鈥攕o in part I read to humble myself: Pay attention, boy, or else! According to the Colorado Avalanche Information Center, one hundred and forty-nine people got caught in slides last ski season and, sadly, two didn鈥檛 survive. The or else is exceedingly real.

Ultimately, my enthusiasm for rheology and the Deborah Number is less utilitarian鈥攁 means to the end of protecting my vulnerable ass while poorly carving powder 8s鈥攖han it is aesthetic and spiritual. I like to poke around the valley floor and gaze at the intricacies of the snowscape. I like to sculpt a drift into a chair, crack a beer, and stare. I like to approach perception as a kind of basic yet mysterious adventure. I like to notice, and notice that I鈥檓 noticing, and keep on noticing, and keep on keeping on. So in part I read to be humbled, yes, and in part鈥攊n large part鈥擨 read to be inspired, encouraged, nudged toward a cool way of inhabiting my place: Pay attention, boy, because lowering your D is a worthy end in itself! An awesome pastime! A beautiful and demanding practice! A raison d’锚tre!

Do I aspire to godliness, an omniscient and infinite vantage? Nah, too grand for my earthly tastes. But looking through those eyes now and then, on occasion, is a huge thrill. Stealing a glimpse of the perpetually changing, fleeting, flowing planet. Feeling that glimpse, at my luckiest moments, as an electric tingle racing the length of my spine.

I felt the tingle recently, following my annual twenty-minute check-in with dear old Professor LaChappelle on the couch. Five or six inches of snow had fallen in the high country the evening prior and I suspected that, unlike the flurries of early autumn, which disappeared quickly from the summits, this coating of white would stick. Or maybe I hoped it would stick, eager for the schuss, the glide, the burn, and the turn.

The essay finished, at least until next year, I drained the dregs of my tea, stepped into the yard at sunset, lifted my binoculars, and scanned the wilderness of ridges and faces and bowls that rises abruptly to the west of town. Conditioned by my quasi-ritualistic re-reading of 鈥淭he Ascending Spiral,鈥� what I saw had the quality of epiphany. It was 鈥渁 granular visco-elastic solid close to its melting point.鈥� It was gummy bears in the microwave, a quintillion protean crystals. It was the foundational layer of a new winter鈥檚 breathing, pulsing, growling, tail-whipping snowpack鈥攁 snowpack guaranteed to spawn the avalanches that Jerry Roberts and other animistic snow-viewers call 鈥渄ragons.鈥� It was simple and complex, common and strange, mundane and magical.

I pocketed the binos, zoomed out.

What I saw was a paradox, tingle-inducing for sure鈥攖he whole world perfectly still, not a bird, not a cloud, not a hint of a breeze, not a single trembling blade of grass, and there on the horizon, washed pink with alpenglow, something deep inside the stillness beginning, secretly, to move.

The post Every Winter, I Read the Same Brilliant Essay About Snow appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

When snow flurries fall on Seeley Lake, Montana, snowmobilers zip into the backcountry for another day of powdery bliss. The town, located 50 miles northeast of Missoula, boasts 400 miles of groomed trails through dense woods and over enchanting meadows, right to the foot of steep, snow-filled chutes.

“Five minutes from the trailhead and you’re on really technical stuff,” Karl Zurmuehlen, 50, a local backcountry guide, told 国产吃瓜黑料. “That’s what brings a lot of riders to Seeley Lake.”

But this winter, Seeley Lake’s picturesque trails and snow-covered slopes have become ground zero for a crisis gripping America’s small-but-dedicated community of avalanche forecasters.

In December, the made the tough decision to no longer send avalanche experts to Seeley Lake to test the snowpack. The Missoula-based center, which oversees a huge swath of backcountry in the state鈥檚 center, also announced that its avalanche forecasts for Seeley Lake would be published only sporadically this winter. The decision comes just four years after a in the area.

“I guess avalanche safety is going to become a word-of-mouth thing at Seeley Lake now,” said Zurmuehlen, who’s business, Kra-Z’s, also rents snowmobiles to visitors.

The avalanche center鈥檚 decision to pull back from Seeley Lake is a result of the recent budget and staffing predicament within the National Forest Service. In September, the Forest Service publicly announced for the remainder of 2024 and into 2025. The agency, which manages 193 million acres of American grasslands and forests, also operates or helps fund 14 regional avalanche centers, including the West Central Montana center.

Abandoning one popular backcountry area may seem like a local issue. But forecasters who work within the Forest Service鈥檚 avalanche program told 国产吃瓜黑料 that a larger problem may be looming on the horizon. With the Forest Service’s future left to the whims of national politics, they worry that the agency鈥檚 avalanche program may suffer deeper cuts in 2026 and beyond. If that happens, the Forest Service鈥檚 avalanche centers will have to abandon more recreation areas like Seeley Lake.

This plight comes as more Americans than ever are venturing into avalanche terrain for outdoor recreation. Participation in backcountry skiing and snowboarding soared during the pandemic. The , a trade group for the skiing industry, reported approximately 4.9 million skiers and snowboarders recreated in the backcountry during the 2023-24 winter. That’s up from just 2 million during the 2017-18 winter.

A sizable portion of these skiers and snowboarders rely on the published by Forest Service centers to assess danger. Within the tight-knit circle of avalanche forecasters, the Forest Service budget cut has sparked a debate over funding and managing avalanche safety in the United States.

“Right now is an inflection point,” said Patrick Black, the executive director of the West Central Montana Avalanche Center (WCMAC). “With so many uncertainties for this winter and winters to come, now is the time to revisit the current model for funding avalanche safety.”

How a Federal Shortfall Impacts Avalanche Forecasting

The bad news broke just a few weeks before the first snowfall blanketed the Rockies. In June, the U.S. House of Representatives from the $8.9 billion the agency requested for the 2024-25 fiscal year. On September 16, which was then released to the public, explaining how the massive agency, which , would address the shortfall.

For 2024 and 2025, the Forest Service would no longer hire part-time seasonal workers, except for wildland firefighting crews, he said. Losing these employees, called 鈥�1039鈥� staff in Forest Service parlance, would require the agency to halt a wide range of seasonal duties, from trail maintenance to campsite cleanup.

鈥淲e are not going to do everything that is expected of us with fewer people,鈥� Moore said during the conference.

The news sounded alarm bells within the Forest Service鈥檚 14 avalanche centers, which are based in California, Utah, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, Idaho, Washington, and New Hampshire. Seasonal employees perform critical work during the winter at some of these centers. They venture into backcountry areas early each morning to observe snowfall and dig pits into the snowpack, looking for signs of avalanche danger. They work alongside year-round forecasters to process this information and combine it with weather data. And some of them also write the daily avalanche reports that appear online.

鈥淭here was panic,” said Scott Schell, executive director of the Northwest Avalanche Center鈥檚 non-profit organization. The NWAC, which is one of the 14 Forest Service centers, forecasts for Washington State and northern Oregon. 鈥淲ithout our seasonal workers we aren鈥檛 much of an avalanche center,鈥� Schell added.

Collectively, the NFS avalanche program employs approximately 70 workers; 55 are permanent positions or a designation called “seasonal permanent.鈥� The remaining 15 are seasonal positions. Of the 11 employees at the Northwest Avalanche Center, eight are seasonal workers, Schell said. All eight positions were jeopardized by the hiring freeze.

鈥淎valanche forecasts aren鈥檛 produced by machines,鈥� Schell said. 鈥淭hey鈥檙e done by people with high levels of expertise.鈥�

The Forest Service also funds and operates the National Avalanche Center, a collection of snow science experts and avalanche forecasters who train staff and coordinate resources between the 14 regional centers. Simon Trautman, the director of the National Avalanche Center, told 国产吃瓜黑料 that his office began working on solutions to the staffing crisis shortly after the call. “People do these jobs because they love what they do,” he said. “And because they believe the work ultimately saves lives.”

But in the days after the announcement, a solution seemed nearly impossible to attain. The Forest Service initially told avalanche centers they could not sidestep the staff cut by simply paying the seasonal salaries from their own coffers. The 14 NFS avalanche centers are funded in part by the agency; each center also raises a portion of its operational budget through non-profit donations, sponsorship sales, or from state agencies.

The ratio of private funding to NFS dollars differs for each center. Trautman said funding from sponsorship sales and non-profit organizations, called “friends groups,” account for slightly more than half of the total budget for the 14 centers. The Forest Service, he said, contributes $2.5 million annually to fund the centers.

鈥淲e鈥檙e essentially a rounding error,鈥� Schell said. “When you consider the impact we have.”

But the Forest Service still manages the centers, which means they are subjected to all agency-wide mandates, including staff cuts. That decision did not sit well within the avalanche program.

鈥淚njuries and fatalities will likely be the result of this cost-saving measure,鈥� Dwayne Meadows, the executive director of the Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center, wrote in a letter in October.

Meadows, Schell, and other avalanche center managers pushed back on the cut. Throughout September and into October, they contacted regional forest managers and asked, then begged, to be exempted from the hiring freeze.

鈥淲e are a crucial part of the economy,鈥� Meadows told 国产吃瓜黑料. 鈥淥utdoor recreation is part of what keeps our community going in the winter.鈥�

Pressure mounted from outside the agency as well. In Wyoming, Senators John Barrasso and Cynthia Lummis, both Republicans, asked for the Bridger-Teton center to receive an exemption for its seasonal staff. On October 4, a letter signed by 42 different companies and nonprofits鈥攆rom the American Mountain Guides Association, to Montana鈥檚 Bridger Bowl Ski Area, to Colorado Mountain Club鈥攂egged Moore to allow the avalanche centers to remain fully-staffed.

鈥淔orest Service Avalanche Centers provide crucial tools for public safety and it is critical that these centers operate at full capacity this, and every, winter,鈥� the letter said.

The pressure worked. As the first snowfalls hit the high country, regional managers granted exemptions for the avalanche centers, or allowed them to fund seasonal staff through non-profit funds. The Intermountain Region, which oversees Utah, Idaho, and Wyoming, granted exemptions to Bridger-Teton for its two seasonal positions; the Pacific Northwest region, which manages Oregon and Washington State, approved Schell’s request for all eight.

At Montana鈥檚 Flathead Avalanche Center, which oversees the area surrounding Glacier National Park, the Northern Region manager approved one 1039 employee and allowed two seasonal-permanent employees to have their contracts extended. Other centers received exemptions, and by November, all 15 seasonal employees were saved.

The success “significantly helped morale,” Trautman said. “Because of leadership support, we are still in the avalanche forecasting business,” he added.

Patrick Black, the executive director of the West Central Montana Avalanche Center, watched as other centers received exemptions throughout September and October. But as the snow began to fall on the mountains outside Missoula, Black learned that his center, which does not employ 1039 workers, would receive a debilitating cut.

鈥淭here was a brief moment when it seemed like all of us were going to be safeguarded,鈥� Black told 国产吃瓜黑料. “We weren’t included. It was painful to hear.”

How Budget Cuts Hurt Avalanche Centers and the Backcountry Users that Rely on Them

If any avalanche group was destined to fall through the cracks, it was the West Central Montana Avalanche Center. Of the 14 centers affiliated with the Forest Service, it is the only one that operates as a true non-profit.

None of the avalanche center鈥檚 three full-time staff work for the Forest Service鈥攊nstead, they report to a board of directors and are paid by a non-profit called The West Central Montana Avalanche Foundation. The center raises $80,000 of its $120,000 annual budget through grants, donations, and sponsorships; the remaining $40,000 comes in via an annual Forest Service payment.

鈥淚鈥檓 often envious of the other avalanche centers,鈥� Black said. 鈥淭heir friends groups and non-profits are on the hook for a much smaller percentage of their operating revenue.鈥�

But the Forest Service support is still crucial: Each winter the agency gives the WCMAC three trucks to drive to and from forecasting areas, plus snowmobile use, and gas cards to cover fuel costs.

In late October, Black received the bad news from the regional forest supervisor. The Forest Service would not renew its $40,000 annual contract with the center, or provide vehicles or gas.

鈥淚t doesn鈥檛 sound like a ton of money, but to a small non-profit, losing that was devastating,鈥� Black said. 鈥淭o think we could squeeze any more out of our equation was unrealistic.鈥�

He called a meeting with the center鈥檚 board members to come up with an operations plan amid the cuts. The center would need to rent vehicles for the six-month season, and cover the cost of fuel for hundreds of miles of weekly driving. Those added costs, plus the loss in $40,000, would require a reduction in head count, from three full-time forecasters to one full-time and one part-time.

The reduction in staff would also impact the center鈥檚 area of forecasting. Avalanche forecasters could no longer travel deep into the backcountry to dig pits or test the snowpack. Instead, they鈥檇 need to focus on the most popular trailheads near ski areas and towns.

鈥淲e鈥檙e prioritizing areas that are popular with the non-motorized community, like backcountry skiers and snowshoers,鈥� Black said. 鈥淭he areas where the motorized community goes are too far out.鈥�

And finally, Black made the difficult decision to dramatically reduce the number of published avalanche forecasts in all areas. Prior to 2024, the West Central Avalanche Center published daily forecasts on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. For the 2024-25 season, employees will write reports for Saturdays and Sundays only.

鈥淔olks will not know until Saturday morning what we鈥檝e been seeing in the field,鈥� Black said. 鈥淗onestly, I hate to even say this out loud.鈥�

Is it Time to Abandon the Forest Service Model?

In May, Forest Service chief Randy Moore on natural resources and energy to discuss his $8.9 billion budget request for the 2024-25 fiscal year. One by one, Republican and Democratic senators admonished Moore for the agency鈥檚 shortcomings in everything from wildfire prevention to timber sales.

鈥淭here鈥檚 broad agreement on this committee that the Forest Service is not meeting the challenge it confronts,鈥� Barrasso of said. 鈥淭he Forest Service must change course.鈥�

Statements like this continue to cause consternation amongst Forest Service avalanche employees. Amid the change in presidential administration and a shift in power in Congress, there鈥檚 considerable doubt that the agency will receive the future funding it requires to function at its current size and scope. Meanwhile, the Forest Service鈥檚 annual spend on wildfire prevention and mitigation, , is likely to continue to rise.

Avalanche professionals worry that the agency鈥檚 solution to the 2024 staff cuts are temporary, and that additional cuts are likely to occur in the coming years.

鈥淚f I鈥檓 being honest, I鈥檓 not confident that the Forest Service is going to figure this one out,鈥� Black said. 鈥淚f we鈥檙e going to chart a course for seasons to come, it makes sense to invite new groups to the table to fund these programs.鈥�

Even Trautman, who worked long hours in September and October to save the seasonal employees, worries that the current solution may not last forever. “There are significant unknowns around how we accomplish mission-critical summer work, or if we can hire seasonal and turnover positions for next fall,” he said.

Different funding models do exist within America鈥檚 avalanche centers. In addition to the 14 Forest Service avalanche centers, eight regional centers are operated by separate non-profits. The Colorado Avalanche Information Center, the country鈥檚 largest avalanche program, receives most of its funding from the state’s Department of Natural Resources, with additional funds coming from private donations, local governments, and the federal government.

The other avalanche center managers who spoke to 国产吃瓜黑料 for this story said that the current crisis has made them consider鈥攁nd even study鈥攆unding models that do not involve the Forest Service.

鈥淭here鈥檚 so much more the avalanche program could do if our current structure pointed us toward stability,鈥� Schell said. 鈥淭he amount of hours we spend worrying about funding alone could be put toward creating better forecasts.鈥�

As Black and his board directors sought solutions to the West Central Montana Avalanche Center’s budget crisis, he crunched the numbers to see how it could exist without Forest Service funding or involvement. Like other avalanche centers WCMAC sells memberships to backcountry users that grant them access to events and teachings.

If half of the center鈥檚 2,500 newsletter subscribers became paying members, the revenue would offset the lost Forest Service funds, Black said. Ramping up the center’s sponsorship sales could also boost its budget.

Black said that, if given more time for fundraising, the WCMAC could survive on its own.

鈥淚t feels like we鈥檙e a year ahead of the other centers in having these discussions,鈥� Black said.

Consequences of Forging a New Path

Everyone interviewed for the story admitted that divorcing the 14 avalanche centers from the Forest Service would have consequences. The agency provides liability insurance and legal support to the centers, which help protect them from lawsuits.

鈥淚f someone tries to sue the Forest Service they鈥檙e not going to get very far,鈥� Meadows said. 鈥淚f they sued our foundation with our non-profit insurance, they鈥檇 kill us.鈥�

Jayne Nolan, the executive director of the non-profit American Avalanche Association, an industry group for avalanche professionals, said that the Forest Service model provides greater stability for staff, like health insurance and paid vacation time. Nolan believes that the Forest Service has an obligation to continue managing the centers.

鈥淣early 95 percent of all avalanche fatalities occur on Forest Service land,鈥� Nolan said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 the job of the Forest Service to reduce these numbers, even as backcountry skiing, snowboarding, and snowmobiling skyrockets.鈥�

Bruce Tremper, who oversaw the Utah Avalanche Center from 1986 until his retirement in 2015 and wrote the seminal avalanche safety textbook, Staying Alive in Avalanche Terrain, says alignment with the Forest Service also gives avalanche centers clout with the general public. 鈥淚f you鈥檙e part of the Forest Service then you have authority and legitimacy that people take seriously,鈥� Tremper said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not just another non-profit springing up.鈥� That authority makes backcountry users more inclined to pay attention to its warnings, he said.

Tremper said he endured multiple budget cuts, government shutdowns, and staffing shortages during his 29 years with the Utah Avalanche Center. Learning to exist amid the agency鈥檚 dysfunction is simply part of the job, he said.

鈥淚t took me a long time to figure out the rules and regulations of how to work in a government agency,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 like a big aircraft carrier and it鈥檚 hard to change direction when you鈥檙e in it.鈥�

But Schell worries that this mindset has stifled innovation, and prevented avalanche centers from discovering better models for funding and management. The Northwest Avalanche Center will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2025. And despite the center鈥檚 growth in fundraising and its advancements in snow science and avalanche prediction, the program is still vulnerable to shifts in the Forest Service鈥檚 budget and management structure.

鈥淲e鈥檝e bootstrapped these centers for 40 or 50 years,鈥� Schell said. 鈥淎t what point can we have a durable and sustainable program?”

Schell told 国产吃瓜黑料 that the NWAC would continue to 鈥渓ean into鈥� the Forest Service relationship for 2025 and beyond. Rather than pursue non-profit status or state-run structure, he said the center would instead ask the agency to consider a different operational model for the centers. At the moment, all 14 avalanche centers exist within the Forest Service鈥檚 arcane management structure of regional forests and ranger districts. A center鈥檚 budget and staff size are decided by regional, and not national, managers.

鈥淲e need to find the right people inside the Forest Service to make the whole avalanche program stand on its own,鈥� he said.

Black echoed Schell鈥檚 sentiment. In mid-December, the WCMAC began talks with the Forest Service for a smaller contract, one that included access to vehicles. But the uncertainty, Black said, still gave him considerable anxiety about the future.

鈥淭he whole thing frightens me,鈥� he said.

Whether or not the lack of avalanche reports affects Seeley Lake鈥檚 snowmobilers this winter is yet to be seen. After a few early season storms in November, the lake saw sunshine in December, and the trails at lower elevations were mostly bare in the weeks before Christmas. But Zermeuhlen was confident that business would soon be booming.

鈥淲e鈥檒l be inundated,鈥� he said. 鈥淗undreds of people heading out every weekend.鈥�

The post Inside the Crisis Threatening America鈥檚 Avalanche Experts appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

国产吃瓜黑料 spends a lot of time ranking the best mountain towns in the country, but which one is the worst? Is Aspen鈥檚 conspicuous wealth worse than Jackson Hole鈥檚 false modesty? How many billionaires does it take to ruin a local economy? Is there any hope for the ski-bum lifestyle? Paddy O鈥機onnell and Frederick 鈥淩ico鈥� Reimers bring us a debate you only win by losing.

The post Who鈥檚 Got It Worse, Ass-Pens or J-Holes? appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

Shaun White has been the face of snowboarding for two decades. So what is he doing in retirement? A lot. He鈥檚 launching his own snowboard brand. He鈥檚 raising money to protect public lands. He鈥檚 even starting his own half-pipe competition. In this live interview from The 国产吃瓜黑料 Festival in Denver, former NFL linebacker Dhani Jones talks with White about life after pro sports and how the keys to his past success play a role in his future.

Tickets to the 2025 国产吃瓜黑料 Festival and Summit are on sale now at early bird prices at

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