Founder of the Alaska Avalanche School, former Chief of the State of Alaska Snow Avalanche Safety Program and co-founder of the Alaska Mountain Safety Center, Inc. Has worked professionally in avalanche hazard consulting for 35 years and been active in mountain rescue for more than 30 years.
Karl Birkeland is the Avalanche Scientist for the U.S. Forest Service National Avalanche Center. In addition to conducting extensive avalnache research, he works to transfer emerging science and technologies to field practitioners in the avalanche community. Karl is also an adjunct Professor of Earth Sciences at Montana State University. His professional work with avalanches as a ski patroller, educator, backcountry forecaster, and researcher spans over 30 years.
Director of the Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center in Montana since 2000 and employed off-season as a professional mountain guide since 1989. Doug has participated in numerous climbs, some first ascents, in Alaska, Nepal, India, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. Formerly he worked as a Pro-patrollman at Bridger Bowl Ski Area.