The Avalanche Forecaster

Fay Archive - Field Test No. 21

JUNEAU, ALASKA

Our journey in Alaska ends in the snowy peaks with 38-year-old Alan, an avalanche risk expert. We gear up to follow him on an inspection of the peaks around Juneau. “Sometimes it’s hard to believe that this is my job, but being up here in the mountains is something special, a mix of beauty, danger and nature.” What better way to end this Fay Archive expedition in a memorable way?

“When you go into the mountains, you need to pay attention […]. The presence of a lot of precipitation, whether snow or rain, a snowpack that splits or moves under your feet.”


Have you ever seen an avalanche? “When you go into the mountains, you need to pay attention […]. The presence of a lot of precipitation, whether snow or rain, a snowpack that splits or moves under your feet.” These are all alarm bells that should be taken into consideration and not underestimated, what Alan and his companions call “Red Flags”. The level of attention and dedication that this job requires is extremely high. What is certain is that in Alaska, at certain altitudes, nature offers something extraordinary that is difficult to put into words.

Polar Bear Guard

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