CHECK YOUR MAILBOXES FOR THE SECOND ISSUE OF THIS WINTER’S AVALANCHE REVIEW!
Early winter: waiting for the snow and savoring the sun. This is when we start to hear the first notes of the songs the snowpack will sing as it grows.
I’m coming into winter after ISSW with energy and inspiration, and hoping you’re doing the same. We have good things for you in this and the next two issues of TAR in this volume—our 42nd year!
This issue’s theme revolves around Digital Mapping (see the introduction on page 18), but as usual, there’s a lot of other material. One theme I have been perusing a lot this year has been
Storytelling; on page 12, Rob Coppolillo treats the topic masterfully, with his characteristic combination of intelligence and humor. Next, Mike Austin brings us a nuanced look at uncertainty and margin at the fat tail of the curve.
I’ve also been thinking hard about the stories we create with our lives. It’s been difficult and emotional to lose Jerry Roberts to cancer back in September; see his very unique story on page 9.
Roz Reynolds’ story about entering the digital world in avalanche mitigation on Lizard Head Pass on page 22 compelled me to drive over it in November. I could imagine avalanches hitting the road in several spots as I peered up steep San Juan slopes to find the new RACS installations.
Finally, you will find the remainder of last season’s summaries, stories, and songs of an epic winter, complete with dramatic photos and snippets of tales.
Reach out with questions or submissions to avalanche.review@avalanche.org. Themes for 42.4 Spring: Rescue, accident analysis, and guide service decision models. Submission deadline February 1,2024.
What songs will be on this winter’s playlist? Stay in touch.
— Lynne Wolfe, Editor of The Avalanche Review
ON THE COVER: Professional track students learn and practice accurate and precise snow and weather observations that will become the cornerstone of quality avalanche forecasts and decisions. Pre-dawn, 1775 meters, Selkir Mountains, BC —Steve Conger
