SPEAKERS
Tyson Rettie
The Chinese Altai Mountains and the Australian Alps
A case study of the challenges of working at the far ends of the snowpack climate spectrum
From the cold, weak snowpack of the remote Chinese Altai Mountains to the dense, icy slopes of the Australian Alps, this case study spans the extremes of the snowpack climate spectrum. In the Altai Mountains, persistent low temperatures and a faceted, cohesionless snowpack created distinctive avalanche hazards. While in the Alps, impenetrable rime ice and melt-freeze crusts produced dangerous “slide-for-life” conditions.
Tyson Rettie is a ski guide, avalanche professional, and public forecaster with extensive experience working in complex winter mountain environments in Canada, Australia, and China. He is the founder and president of Braille Mountain Initiative, a registered charity dedicated to empowering blind and visually impaired people through backcountry skiing, hiking, and avalanche education. Tyson is involved in professional development, risk management, and education within the avalanche and guiding industries.
Jordy Shepherd
AvSAR & Companion Rescue Update
Current best practices in Avalanche Search and Rescue and Companion Rescue
Jordy is an Internationally Certified Mountain Guide, Guide Trainer, Avalanche Educator, Rescue Specialist, and a Former National Park Warden and Visitor Safety Specialist. Jordy is a team member of Columbia Valley Search and Rescue. He is also the co-host of the Delivering Adventure Podcast.
Jordy was on the ACMG Board of Directors for more than a decade as the Rockies Director, and served several years as the Vice President; founded the ACMG Mentorship and Public Engagement and Services Committees; is a member of the Scholarship and the Awards Committees. Jordy is also a member of the Canadian Avalanche Association Membership Committee.
His work experience includes Canadian Avalanche Association Course Leader and Subject Matter Expert for Avalanche Search and Rescue (AvSAR) professional courses, Provincial Park Ranger, National Park Warden, Wildlife Conflict Specialist, Wildland and Structural Firefighter, Mountain and Industrial Rescue Specialist, and Heli-skiing Operations Manager and Lead Guide. Jordy is an ambassador for a number of companies, working on product development.
In addition to his work and volunteering in the adventure guiding and instruction industry, Jordy runs a successful real estate company in Canmore Alberta, where he currently lives with his family.
Stay Tuned!
TBC
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