I attended this year’s ISSW (September 21-26 in Whistler), and enjoyed the conference format with a trade-show-like experience, where between oral and poster presentations you’re able to wander among manufacturers’ booths.

Backcountry skiing news roundup including thoughts on K2 climbers accident and Luis Stitzinger on Nanga Parbat

Knox Williams, Colorado’s statewide avalanche hazard forecasting pioneer is the backcountry skiing inductee to Colorado’s Ski Hall of Fame.

Talking about 5Point film festival, lots of good inspiration as well as avalanche safety flick.

The multiple burial avalanche safety controversy is really what I’d call a reality strike for ski touring. Fact one: most buried avalanche victims must be dug out within 15 minutes or they perish. Fact two: digging a person out can easily reach the point of physical impossibility if only one person is on the shovel.

After recent ambivalent blogging about avalanche rescue dogs, I figured I’d hear from some dog fans or at least get plenty of feedback. That happened, but I wasn’t counting on the canines getting revenge by peeing on my new softshell…