Field journal

Avalanche & Skills

Avalanche education, snowpack observations, rescue, and mountain technique to help you travel safer.

Mastering Splitboard Transitions: Unlock Efficiency and Maximize your time on the mountain
Avalanche & Skills

Mastering Splitboard Transitions: Unlock Efficiency and Maximize your time on the mountain

January 22, 2026 · guidedexposure

Mastering Splitboard Transitions breaks down how efficient uphill-to-downhill transitions can dramatically increase the amount of vertical—and fun—you squeeze into a day in...

Ski Mountaineering: Prepare the Rope for a Ski Belay
Avalanche & Skills

Ski Mountaineering: Prepare the Rope for a Ski Belay

November 21, 2023 · Jere Burrell

Preparing and managing a rope for a technical skill is foundational to excellent execution. In this case giving a belay or lowering...

Snowpack Observations: Wind Slab Hand Shear
Avalanche & Skills

Snowpack Observations: Wind Slab Hand Shear

October 26, 2023 · Jere Burrell

Hand shears to identify weak layering in wind slabs is a valuable but limited observation. Combine this with small test slopes, active...

Ski Mountaineering: Prerig the Rope in a Backpack
Avalanche & Skills

Ski Mountaineering: Prerig the Rope in a Backpack

October 26, 2023 · Jere Burrell

The ability to use a rope in steep terrain opens up a world of access. From rappels to belayed riding a rope...

Ski Tech Tip: How to quickly carry your ski or splitboard when bootpacking
Avalanche & Skills

Ski Tech Tip: How to quickly carry your ski or splitboard when bootpacking

October 24, 2023 · Jere Burrell

Working through complex terrain and varying surface conditions requires adaptive movement strategies. In other words know when to skin and when to...

Weak Layer Snowpack Observations:  Compression Test and Extended Column Test Progression
Avalanche & Skills

Weak Layer Snowpack Observations: Compression Test and Extended Column Test Progression

October 24, 2023 · Jere Burrell

We have seen a weather pattern shift with warm temps, consistent but moderate snow, some moderate wind events with isolated reactivity leading...

Steep Skiing: Terrain Identification and Navigation
Avalanche & Skills

Steep Skiing: Terrain Identification and Navigation

October 24, 2023 · Jere Burrell

Using photos from our phones allow us to be sure we are in the spot we want. By connecting easy to identify...

Snowpack Observations: How to use a probe to assess snowpack layers
Avalanche & Skills

Snowpack Observations: How to use a probe to assess snowpack layers

October 22, 2023 · Jere Burrell

Tracking layers with in the snowpack doesn’t require spending time digging a snow pit. Especially for deeper layers the extend beyond a...

Rock Rescue: Firefighters Back Up Rappel
Avalanche & Skills

Rock Rescue: Firefighters Back Up Rappel

September 27, 2023 · Jere Burrell

on single pitch rappels that system isn’t always practical. Even so providing an attentive firefighters backup to your rappelling partner could add...