#03 Understanding Avalanches

While the 2019/2020 ski season was cut short and people were discouraged from entering the backcountry, avalanche deaths still rose to just two less than the year before.  In this episode of Unpacked, we get the opportunity to talk with Randall Osterhuber. A member of Tahoe Nordic Search and Rescue, former director of the Sierra Avalanche Center, AIARE instructor and seasoned backcountry skier to explore the science behind avalanches and how to avoid them.

Right now, small mountain towns and businesses are feeling the impact of the COVID19 pandemic. With resorts shut down, ski seasons cut short and tourism down to zero, small businesses are fighting for their jobs but also fighting to support their communities. Perhaps no one is better suited for this than Mike Waesche, founder and CEO of Rocky Mountain Underground. In this episode you’ll hear about how Mike’s background as a firefighter has taught him invaluable lessons on life and influenced him in starting a business. All the while staying true to his company’s mission of connecting people with the mountains.

Unpacked host Justin Zawilinski speaks with Cody Townsend on what it means to travel safely in the backcountry, his personal experiences in ski mountaineering and how to act when unexpected happens.