Black Diamond: BDTV - Episode 2: The Forecaster - Backcountry Skiing

[@bpersons14]

Every time I watch this video it resonates with my soul. I've always been around the ski industry, I worked at outdoor shops through college and still do part time. It started with my dad, he was a volunteer Patroller for Mt. Hood resorts during my growing up years. He started as patroller when he was in College; Patrolled at Mt. Ashland, Mammoth, Big Bear, Mt. Hood, and now at Sugar mountain in NC. When I told him that I wanted to start getting into the backcountry he bought me a book and said take a AVI 1 class listen to the forecasters report and listen to your gut. I have yet to take an Avi class, but I won't be going out into the backcountry until I've done so. It's because I have a huge amount of respect for the men an women who spend a life accruing this knowledge.

[@swsmtnguides]

Thanks Drew. I always loved your reports when I lived in SLC!

[@Breguntaz]

Great message. Be mindful of your own safety as well as the safety of everyone else around you, especially in the backcountry. When I started snowboarding in the 80s, that's where we'd go, right there where you filmed this. Superior, Flagstaff, Grizzly Gulch - and other areas in the Wasatch. We never had any avy gear, but I remember when one of my friends bought a beacon. We always called the avalanche report, and sometimes we'd just stick to the lower slopes if it was sketchy, but we were still young and stupid and I'm just grateful none of us ever got buried or caused a slide. Going up was an emotional decision for sure, not a logical one, and it still is (whenever I get the chance - I don't live near real mountains any more, but it's in my blood and I miss it like crazy - watching this video was almost painful). You spend a couple hours climbing up, followed by a few minutes floating back down over the powder. There's nothing like it, and the only reason we do it is because those emotions make it worth the risk - we just try to minimize the risk as much as possible. There are definitely more people in the backcountry these days, and that's generally a good thing, I think, because it means people are spending time in the mountains instead of staring at a screen. But I have to admit, it also means there are more tracks, and the draw of being the first one to make tracks or having more solitude up there might make me more willing to take risks (though I'm one of the most risk-averse people I know). If I ever meet Drew, I'd like to shake his hand and buy him a round of whatever he's drinking. At the very least, I'll keep my eyes peeled for a bearded skier thumbing a ride back down the canyon.

[@BlackDiamondEquipmentLtd]

+Breguntaz Thanks for sharing!

[@krishawryluik8405]

Regardless of where this guy is from. And according to some in this thread it is an issue to them. This guy gets it. I have been working in avalanche terrain for 26 years in Western Canada. I have come to accept the fact I know nothing of avalanches. But I do have a knowledge and control over my choices and my decisions in the mountains. That is what brings me home to my family day in day out. Keep studing snow craft, but also practice the decision making process too.

[@LockheedHav]

One of the best! Thank you BD!

[@Lukeoo]

SUPER STRONG! nice bit BD, great voice over edit - Many thanks to Drew for the message & wisdom

[@BlackDiamondEquipmentLtd]

+Luke oo (Horseman Longarm) Thanks! Appreciate it! The full story is on our website- check it out!

[@mojoe87]

This is so incredibly well done, is there somewhere we can geek out on all the tech specs from production???

[@brockflieger2024]

What are the three books on his desk at 2:36 ? I see Moby Dick, and Blood Meridian, but I can’t see the middle one and I’m curious!

[@tkaemming]

wind, sand and stars by antoine de saint-exupéry

[@ricklince6619]

great stuff

[@BlackDiamondEquipmentLtd]

+Rick Lince Thanks!

[@calebrudge1528]

How do you apply for this job?

[@GoodtimesmagDe]

Yeaw, this video is so damn cool that we had to share it on goodtimesmag.de

[@oneblocup3323]

Thanks for the message! But, I always wonder, why anybody isn't uploading videos of how to prevent from avalanches? It can save lives while enjoying the mountains, my uncle died of an avalanche. It's kind of a bummer that this kind of professionals keep their secrets just for them in order to get an income out of it..

[@UnitedElectric]

Plenty of info out there. Nobody is hoarding it. Search Term "Avalanche Safety". Millions of videos. Take a course and go out with friends who know.