AIARE Hires New Executive Director
Denver, Colo. The American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education (AIARE) has hired Tim Bennet as their new executive director. Bennet’s position replaces the roles of both Brian Lazar and Tom Murphy as they transitioned to AIARE’s board of directors. “I saw a fantastic chance to blend my personal passion for skiing and safe, outdoor adventure with my skills in nonprofit management,” Bennet said in a press release. Before joining AIARE, Bennet worked for Denver’s Boy Scouts of America. He credits Lazar and Murphy for helping build AIARE as the avalanche education industry leader and says he’s looking forward to furthering the organization’s mission.
Contributor Jim Harris’s Recovery
Contributor Jim Harris
Park City, Utah Two weeks ago, while preparing for a Trans-Patagonia expedition, contributing writer and photographer Jim Harris suffered serious spine and head trauma, including fracturing 10 vertebrae. On November 30, he arrived at Cincinnati, Ohio’s University Hospital from Punta Arenas, Chile, and on December 1, on his 33rd birthday, surgeons decompressed two vertebrae. The eight remaining damaged vertebrae are expected to heal without surgery. Harris’s family has launched a donation campaign to support his recovery and rehabilitation and have already raised more than $93,000. To follow Jim’s recovery and to make a donation, visit YouCaring.com.
December Issue Hits Newsstands
Jeffersonville, Vt. Backcountry Magazine’s December issue—the Photo Annual—hit newsstands on Tuesday. In it, Martin Maier chronicles his story of life and death at 8,000 meters; the new Sea to Sky gondola opens touring terrain in Squamish, B.C., and friends remember JP Auclair, Liz Daley, Andreas Fransson, Basti Haag and Andrew Zambaldi. Also inside, we feature 20 pages of our favorite ski and ride imagery of the season, and contributor Megan Michelson profiles Noah and Jonah Howell, the two brothers behind Powderwhore Productions. Then, our apparel guide covers 80 of this season’s top jackets, pants, puffies and accessories; each category is broken down by value to highlight the apparel that’s really worth half your paycheck. Get a copy of the issue, here.
PoleClinometer Launches Kickstarter
Burlington, Vt. Late this week, SnoWander LLC launched a Kickstarter campaign to fund the development of a super simple slope meter sticker, the PoleClinometer. The heat-shrink, UV-resistant sticker with easy-to-read coloring displays angle numbers and allows the user an on-the-go assessment of slope angle that won’t get stashed or lost at the bottom of your pack. As of December 5, the project has raised $825 out of a goal of $1,000. Learn more about the project at Kickstarter.com.
Related posts: