This year’s International Snow Science Workshop (ISSW) was in Telluride, CO from Oct 1 – 6. The workshop consisted of 4 days of presentations and poster sessions on topics relating to all aspects of Snow Science, from highly theoretical scientific studies, to new safety methods for outdoor professionals working in the mountains. There was also one field trip day, which gave us a chance to go on several different field trips looking at real applications of snow science in the area or just to go out and play in the amazing San Juan Mountains. With a theme of “Merging of Theory and Practice,” the amount of information presented was staggering. Picture consecutive 8 hour days in a room with 600 other snow geeks absorbing all the latest science and field reports relating to avalanches, snowpack, education and more.

After my first summer in Calgary, I was anxious to get back into my hometown mountains, even if it was just for a week. I meet up with Eirik in Cowtown and we set off on the 20-hr drive, camping somewhere in Idaho. We rolled into Telluride sometime Sunday evening, missing the opening beer session, but my parents were waiting at their house with a big meal and comfy beds to crash in (so nice after the drive with a night spent crammed in the back of a Subaru wagon).

The next morning we rode the gondola up to the conference center to catch the first talks. Eirik claimed dibs on reporting on some of the best ones, so you’re gonna have to wait to hear about the potentially useful new stability tests and strategic shoveling techniques, among other topics. However, during the breaks, exhibitors we’re set up to show off the latest backcountry and snow safety gear, some of which I’m going to describe here.

Ortovox had their new beacons, the D3 and the much-anticipated S1, available for testing and I have to say I am impressed! The S1 is clearly the best development in beacon technology since digital beacons were first developed. When I first saw it, all I could think was that it belonged on the set of Star Trek, but when I took a closer look its features really made sense. It actually shows you the relative location and distance to each transmitting beacon within its range. When pinpointing, it records the closest distance you reach and then notes if you overshoot, and with its 3 antennas, there are not spikes or irregularities for vertical or deep burials. Plus, once you locate a victim, you can flag that transmitter in the S1 and it will shift the focus on to the next closest victim, reducing the need to enter awkward multiple burial search patterns. The S1 has even more features than that, including a range of 60m, but you’ll have to check out the Ortovox website for more info. You can also email me for a pdf of the info sheet that I grabbed from the reps.

The d3 is also a 3 antenna model, which looks similar to the X1 and F1. It has directional and range indicators similar to the Tracker DTS and a light that shows if you have a multiple burial scenario. It seems very similar to the Tracker, except the 3 antennas reduce the spikes and irregularities associated with deep/vertical burials. If you like a simple digital beacon with a very easy to use interface, this might be the one for you.

BCA also had some great new product, especially their new snow study kit and saw as well as their new easy locking probes. The snow study kit and saw are pictured above and you can check out the BCA website for more info on the new probes and their other great products.

Another great product we got to check out was the Avalanche Air Bag (ABS) line of Packs. JuJu gave several demos of the system throughout the week showing the ability of this system to keep you on top of your slough should you go for the dreaded ride. It works through a simple concept of particle physics: in a moving system of particles, the larger particles tend to make their way to the top. Think of a bag of chips, all the broken chips make their way to the bottom when you shake it and the large ones end up at the top. By instantly inflating two large airbags out of the sides of your pack, you dramatically increase your particle size in an avalanche, making you more likely to stay on the top. In fact, in the 15 years of documented accidents involving users of the ABS packs, there is a 98% survival rate! Check out JuJu’s website for more info on these great packs.

When all was over on Friday, Eirik and I were pretty much on snow science overload and we grabbed some grub and hit the sack to head back up to Canada the next morning. We did the 20 hour drive straight through on the way back, to make it back for turkey dinner at my in-laws. Of course no trip would be complete without a 1.5 hour stop over in Canadian customs while they searched my car illicit substances (why would anyone be so stupid to bring the ganj into this country????). Oh and Eirik, you better get your license back before we do another trip ‘cause I’m not driving your ass everywhere again!

If you want more info on this years ISSW or any past ones, check out http://www.issw.net