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Home > The Avalanche Hour Podcast > Facets, Science, Avalanche Problems & Public Communication: Mark Staples chats with Bruce and Caleb
Podcast: The Avalanche Hour Podcast
Episode:

Facets, Science, Avalanche Problems & Public Communication: Mark Staples chats with Bruce and Caleb

Category: Sports & Recreation
Duration: 00:58:25
Publish Date: 2026-04-08 08:01:00
Description:

In this episode of The Avalanche Hour, Caleb Merrill makes another appearance to sit down with Mark Staples, director of the Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center, and avalanche researcher/educator Bruce Jamieson. The group discuss heavyweight topics in the avalanche industry such as snow-surface energy exchange, near-surface faceting, and communicating avalanche hazard. 


Staples recounts his path from powder skiing to avalanche work, his research on snow-surface energy balance, and his experience connecting with varied user groups. Jamieson describes collaborating with Staples on educational videos and credits Karl Birkeland’s 1998 papers for focusing attention on near-surface faceting. Staples also contrasts surface hoar (vapor deposition) with near-surface facets (metamorphism of existing snow grains), and they cover conditions that promote growth, including cooling to a clear sky and relative humidity. The conversation also explores simplifying avalanche problem types, terrain-based risk management, the public’s interest in science, and learning from accidents. 


Thanks to the sponsors of the show!

Legacy Sponsors:

Darren Johnson Avalanche Education Memorial Fund

AVSS

Drone Amplified


Partner Sponsors:

CIL Avalanche

Safeback

onX Backcountry


Episode Sponsor:

Arva



Music: Ketsa

Artwork: Mike Tea 

Production: Caleb Merrill, Bob Keating

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