Mission
The Friends of the Colorado Avalanche Information Center (CAIC) is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization created to support the CAIC, while contributing to avalanche awareness and education throughout the State of Colorado
The Friends of CAIC was formed to promote avalanche safety in Colorado. Part of the Friends mission is to ensure adequate funding for the CAIC’s backcountry program. Through donations, grants, and fundraising events we raise money to benefit avalanche forecasting and education in the state of Colorado.
The CAIC is a cash-funded program of the Colorado Geological Survey. Funding for the backcountry avalanche safety program comes from private donations and the Colorado Severance Tax fund.
Colorado has one of the most dangerous snowpacks in North America and on average accounts for one third of all avalanche fatalities in the United States. The purpose of the CAIC is to minimize the economic and human impact of snow avalanches on the people of Colorado and businesses operating within the state. The CAIC provides transportation and recreational forecasts of mountain weather and avalanche conditions, as well as avalanche safety education. As more and more people venture into the backcountry, it is imperative that we continue to have this resource available. The CAIC provides valuable information for both recreational users and professionals venturing into the backcountry and helps safeguard the transportation of goods and services on Colorado’s highways. The Center operates on a limited budget and needs your support in order to continue this important work.
Bio’s
Knox Williams
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Knox got his Master’s Degree in Atmospheric Science from Colorado State University in 1970, and then worked with the U.S. Forest Service Avalanche Research Project in Fort Collins as a snow scientist and avalanche forecaster. In 1983, he helped found the Colorado Avalanche Information Center and was its Director until retiring in 2005. In 36 years in the avalanche business, Knox was a researcher, forecaster, teacher, program director, and author, writing a couple of books and a bunch of papers and articles. He is a past president of the American Avalanche Association. Now in semi-retirement, he works with the CAIC Director as needed to keep the CAIC healthy and progressive. |
Bruce Edgerly
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Bruce Edgerly is co-founder and vice president of Backcountry Access, Inc., a leading manufacturer of avalanche rescue equipment, including the Tracker DTS avalanche transceiver. Bruce has a bachelor’s degree in engineering from Brown University and a master’s degree in business administration from CU-Boulder. He is a former contributing editor to Powder and Couloir magazines and has published numerous papers for the International Snow Science Workshop (ISSW) and International Commission on Alpine Rescue (ICAR); those can be viewed at http://www.backcountryaccess.org/research. “Edge” is a dedicated backcountry skier and tours most of the time in the Summit zone—although he travels for “business” quite frequently in the Tetons, Wasatch, B.C., and Europe. He has level 3 avalanche training in the U.S., professional level 1 training in Canada, and is a qualified AIARE level 1 avalanche instructor. |
Lance Lary
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Lance is a long time resident of Aspen, CO. He developed an interest in avalanches and communicating with others about conditions while ski patrolling at the Highlands. He is acutely aware of the benefits of a strong public discourse about current conditions. Lance would like to help the CAIC extend its presence in mountain communities across the state. Lance co-founded the Roaring Fork Avalanche Center in 2005. He is currently working towards a degree in Geosciences. In his spare time he prefers going uphill either on foot or on a mountain bike. |
Ethan Green
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Ethan grew up in Boulder skiing Colorado’s Front Range and became interested in avalanche safety while living in the San Juan Mountains of southern Colorado. He has worked in snow science and avalanche safety since 1990 and is currently the director of the Colorado Avalanche Information Center. The director of the Colorado Avalanche Information Center is an ex officio member of our governing board. |
Aaron Carlson
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Aaron grew up skiing the 299 vertical foot hills in Minnesota. Since then, Aaron has discovered his passion for the backcountry while living and skiing in Utah, Colorado and New Zealand. Aaron has a bachelor’s degree in Parks, Recreation and Tourism from the University of Utah, which has allowed him to work in and experience many different parts of the world. In 2008, Aaron brought his passion to the CAIC Benefit Bash. As the co-organizer, he was able to design, organize, and run the largest fundraiser in CAIC history. Together, Aaron and Joe were able to raise over $26,000 for the CAIC and make an impact on the backcountry community. With this momentum, Aaron has been an asset to the development of the Friends of CAIC. When he is not working you can find him on his mountain bike or skiing pow. |
Joe Vandal
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Joe Vandal moved from Minnesota to Breckenridge Colorado in 2004 with a couple of friends looking for a “change of pace”. He spent the first year learning how to ski and instantly found a love for the Colorado outdoors. Now, four years later, Joe still takes his enthusiasm and passion for the outdoors and applies it towards everything he does. |