Facets, Science, Avalanche Problems & Public Communication: Mark Staples chats with Bruce and Caleb
From The Avalanche Hour Podcast by The Avalanche Hour
April 8, 2026 · 58 min
About this episode
Mark Staples, Caleb Merrill, and Bruce Jamieson discuss key topics in avalanche science and public communication.
In this episode of The Avalanche Hour, Caleb Merrill makes another appearance to sit down with Mark Staples, director of the Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center, and avalanche researcher/educator Bruce Jamieson. The group discuss heavyweight topics in the avalanche industry such as snow-surface energy exchange, near-surface faceting, and communicating avalanche hazard. Staples recounts his path from powder skiing to avalanche work, his research on snow-surface energy balance, and his experience connecting with varied user groups. Jamieson describes collaborating with Staples on educational videos and credits Karl Birkeland’s 1998 papers for focusing attention on near-surface faceting. Staples also contrasts surface hoar (vapor deposition) with near-surface facets (metamorphism of existing snow grains), and they cover conditions that promote growth, including cooling to a clear sky and relative humidity. The conversation also explores simplifying avalanche problem types, terrain-based risk management, the public’s interest in science, and learning from accidents. Thanks to the sponsors of the show! Legacy Sponsors: Darren Johnson Avalanche Education Memorial Fund AVSS Drone…
People in this episode
Host: Mark Staples
Guests: Caleb Merrill, Bruce Jamieson
Topics covered
- avalanche science
- public communication
- snow-surface energy exchange
- avalanche hazard
- risk management
- educational collaboration
Keywords
- avalanche
- snow-surface energy
- faceting
- risk management
- public communication
- avalanche education
- terrain
- safety
Sponsors
Darren Johnson Avalanche Education Memorial Fund, AVSS, Drone Amplified, CIL, Avalanche Safeback, onX, Backcountry, Arva
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center
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