Blogs

We are headed back to the Lake District of Chile for more Volcano skiing 2015. Join us! More photos and links at bottom of page...

Chile ski mountaineering wrap-up from 2013:

The Lake District of Chile treated us to some unbelievable weather this year. Sept. is springtime in Chile and we were fortunate to have multiple sunny days with killer corn skiing! We got in six days of skiing, (out of eight total in country), and found ourselves summiting three out of four different volcanoes. Earning our turns on the mountain by day, and enjoying local hot springs or a classic Chilean “Asado” by night. Our small group of backcountry skiers climbed and skied Casablanca, Puyehue, Osorno, and Villarrica, volcanoes this year! Raising the bar for next year’s guests!

I'm all about the human powered experience.... So I'm very proud to be a WWA Ambassador!

Here's a short WWA promo video to get you stoked!

Here's the WWA mission statement !
Formed in February, 2000, the WWA is the first and only national organization working on behalf of snowshoers, skiers, snowboarders, winter hikers, and other outdoor adventurers, addressing local and national issues that impact our winter wildlands.

We believe management of our public lands should be balanced in order to protect wild places where current and future winter adventurers can experience the natural sights, sounds, and beauty of winter free of inappropriate development or motorized vehicles.

As advocates, WWA builds relationships with grassroots snowsports and conservation groups, providing networking opportunities and useful resources. WWA publicizes local and national issues and maintains a national presence by communicating regularly with Forest Service, Park Service, and Congressional representatives and encouraging agencies to adopt skier- and snowshoer-friendly policies. And our work and initiatives continue to grow.
As activists, WWA builds relationships with grassroots snowsports and conservation groups, providing networking opportunities and useful resources. The Alliance publicizes national issues and maintains a national presence by communicating regularly with Forest Service, Park Service, and Congressional representatives, commenting on draft plans and encouraging agencies to adopt nonmotorized-friendly policies. We provide useful information to activists through an online information clearinghouse and action alert network. And our work and initiatives continue to grow.

Here's the WWA website so you can join today! http://www.winterwildlands.org/

Link to video instead: http://youtu.be/KRQrWx5WoDk

The backcountry Repair & first aid kit is always being tweaked and upgraded.
Here's a list I compiled for some aspiring guides that wanted to know what I carried.
My kit is constantly morphing depending on the group, the season, trip duration, and the objective.
It often includes some of these items, but never all of them.
Enjoy.

Repair & First Aid Kit suggestions for the guide:

Multi Tool: Including pliers, knife, scissors, file, screw drivers, can opener, and more…

Duct tape (3M or similar) 1 or 2 small rolls. NOT on your ski pole.

Ski strap: (Voile) 2 or 3 for ski trips

Zip ties: Numerous uses

Pole repair: Tent and/or Ski pole: pre-rigged, commercial, or improvised…

Steel wire: Numerous uses

Dental Floss: Numerous uses (plus big needle?)

Antarctic Ski Cruise
November 2nd – 14th 2018

Ski mountaineering on the Antarctic Peninsula
( I'm going back for a 5th time! Join us!)
Rich Meyer has teamed up with Ice Axe Expeditions to bring you the opportunity of a lifetime: a chance to climb and ski the incredible frozen and remote mountains of the Antarctic Peninsula. This is a spectacular adventure to one of Mother Earth’s last real frontiers -- a place that few people on the planet have ever seen with their own eyes, much less climbed, skied, and toured.

Rich Meyer - AIARE Level 1 Follow Up:
Greetings Avy 1 Students!
Here is a handful of educational resources as promised!
Cheers, Rich

Last updated: Jan 2023

Links:

Sierra Avalanche Center:
http://www.sierraavalanchecenter.org/

Mt. Shasta Avalanche Center:
http://www.shastaavalanche.org/advisory.htm#simple

Avalanche.org
This is the Hub for all the avy centers & has a Ton of helpful inks
(Online tutorial as well!)
http://www.avalanche.org/

American Institute For Avalanche Research and Education:
AIARE - nonprofit educates avalanche educators & provides curriculum
http://avtraining.org/

Video:

Case Study/Video: Well Done !
"Snow Fall" by the New York Times:
http://www.nytimes.com/projects/2012/snow-fall/#/?part=tunnel-creek