Avalanche Danger, Risk Management, and How Did Things Go Wrong?

The Flathead Avalanche Center (FAC) will present a “special topics” avalanche safety program on Tuesday, December 4, 2012. Avalanche specialist Stan Bones will lead a discussion concerning avalanche risk management and decision making using the three fatal avalanche incidents that occurred last season on the Flathead National Forest as case studies.

Stan says, “Each and every fatal avalanche incident is a unique and sadly tragic event. If we fail to study and learn from what happened in the incident however, they become even larger tragedies and losses as we are destined to repeat them. And this even further cheapens and makes futile the initial loss of life.” The discussion will be held December 4th from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the Flathead National Forest Office, 650 Wolfpack Way, in Kalispell.

In addition to the special topics presentation, the FAC is hosting an Advanced Avalanche Awareness class which is a free course and open to the public. No registration is needed. The 2013 classroom sessions will also be held at the Flathead National Forest office in Kalispell from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on the following days:

Monday January 7th
Wednesday January 9th
Monday January 14th
Wednesday January 16th


The two field Sessions will be held at the Whitefish Mountain Resort from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on the following days:

Saturday January 12th
Saturday January 19th

For additional information on avalanche education classes and avalanche conditions, please visit the new Flathead Avalanche Center website. You can also sign up to follow the center on Twitter. Avalanche advisories will start December 8th if conditions allow. The phone number to call for recorded avalanche advisories remains the same: 406-257-8402.

For additional information please contact FAC coordinator Tony Willits at 406-837-7546.


Jeff
Hiking in Glacier National Park

Grizzly Bear vs Black Bear

You know who the boss is, but this black bear seems to be taunting his larger cousin. This footage was taken along the David Thompson Highway in Alberta, Canada this past summer:







Jeff
Hiking in Glacier National Park

Montana Wild To Screen "Where The Yellowstone Goes"

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks will host a free screening of the outdoor film Where the Yellowstone Goes in Helena at Montana Wild, 2668 Broadwater Ave., next to Spring Meadow Lake State Park off Highway 12 West. The film will be shown on Tuesday, December 18th at 7 p.m.

The critically acclaimed, 88-minute film focuses on a soul-searching and inspirational 30-day drift boat journey down the longest undammed river in the contiguous United States. Connect with colorful characters, get lost in the hypnotic cast of a fly rod, and savor silhouetted moments of fireside stories on this heartfelt river adventure.

For more information call Montana Wild at 406-444-9944, Below is the official trailer from the movie:








Jeff
Hiking in Glacier National Park

Grizzly Bear Shot And Killed In Grand Tetons

NPS Digest is reporting that a party of three hunters participating in the park’s elk reduction program encountered, shot and killed an adult male grizzly bear around 7:30 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day morning. The bear reportedly charged the hunting party, which was comprised of three men from Wyoming. None of the hunters was injured.

The incident occurred along the east side of the Snake River between Schwabachers Landing and Teton Point Overlook. A team of law enforcement rangers, park biologists and park science and resource management personnel are conducting an investigation into the incident. A cow elk carcass was discovered near the incident location. A half-mile area closure around the carcass is in effect until further notice.

This was the 51st known or probable incident of a grizzly bear mortality in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem this year, according to a tally maintained by the interagency grizzly bear study team. In recent years, an average of about a third of all grizzly bear mortalities are hunting related. This is the first hunter-caused bear death in Grand Teton National Park. Grizzly bears in the lower 48 states are listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act.


Jeff
Hiking in Glacier National Park

Montana Wild To Showcase Glacier's Top 10 Backpack Trips

A free program on the top 10 backpacking trips in Glacier National Park is scheduled for December 6th in Helena at Montana Wild, 2668 Broadwater Ave., next to Spring Meadow Lake State Park off Highway 12 West.

The event, sponsored by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks and Glacier National Park, will feature Interpretive Ranger Lynne Dixon.

Dixon has planned numerous backcountry trips for Glacier National Park visitors and has experienced each of the top 10 backpack trips herself. She'll explain how to use the park's reservation system to help guarantee a place in the backcountry and she'll offer detailed descriptions of each hike.

The 90-minute program begins at 6 p.m. and will cover family friendly overnight trips as well as week-long strenuous adventures. For information call Montana Wild at 406-444-9944.

If your idea of spending a day in Glacier's backcountry excludes carrying a tent and sleeping bag, check out my list of the top 10 day hikes in Glacier National Park.





Jeff
Hiking in Glacier National Park