Fat skis are a risk management tool and other Goldie Nuggets: Sara Boilen x Larry Goldie

The Avalanche Hour Podcast

In this episode of the Avalanche Hour Podcast, host Dr. Sara Boilen interviews Larry Goldie. Larry is an IFMGA licensed mountain guide and co-owner/lead guide for North Cascades Mountain Guides. He has been the snow safety director and heli ski guide for North Cascades Heli since 2005. Larry works on the AMGA instructor team, and teaches pro and recreational avalanche courses. Sara and Larry discuss the challenges women face in the guiding and avalanche education fields, the importance of effective communication in guiding, and share personal experiences and lessons delivered in the arena. Larry emphasizes the need for clear, concise communication and the value of maintaining options in decision-making while navigating the complexities of the backcountry. In this conversation, Larry shares a harrowing personal experience of surviving an avalanche, emphasizing the critical importance of clear communication and the dangers of mitigated speech in high-risk situations. He discusses the psychological factors that lead to downplaying risks and the need for honest assessments of danger in backcountry skiing. The conversation also highlights the value of debriefing to learn from experiences and improve decision-making in uncertain environments.

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