Big thanks to Backcountry Access for sponsoring this avalanche education content. Check out the additional plethora of avalanche safety resources on their website.
I don’t know what’s better, casting for trout, or casting for pod. But podcasting with Cripple Creek Backcountry is a blast, that’s for sure. A few days ago they had me over to their recording studio (otherwise known as the beer tap counter) for a blab session. They call their ‘cast “Totally Deep” and this time we did go farther, with talk about how difficult it is to write about avalanche accidents while keeping it educational and readable, and not being perceived as exploitative. That’s an art I’ve clearly not mastered, but I do try to improve.
Listen to it here (and see some blackmail shots as well)!
One (now) amusing episode in WildSnow’s long history of covering accidents was when, a few years ago, one of the Cripple Creek co-owners, Randy, nearly got taken by a slide. He was with a group who clearly were pushing things. I blogged about it, and the S hit the fan in so many ways.
In particular and unbeknownst to me, Randy and his partner were apoplectic about how my writing on such mistakes could affect the credibility of their new backcountry skiing retail operation — not to mention concerns about whether Randy’s family might accidentally happen upon the blog post and put 2&2 together. (Many of you know the drill. Media covers an avalanche accident, next thing you know your parents are calling and asking “was that you?” or “I just read about how dangerous Colorado is, you’re not still doing that illegal out-of-bounds skiing, are you now?”
ADVERTISEMENT
Randy and I got together for a talk over coffee soon after, which led to both of us pondering and (hopefully) improving our avalanche safety awareness. But more, led to a rewarding friendship, as well as working with Cripple Creek in mutual support of our business endeavors.
If you’ve not done so, check out all of the Totally Deep podcasts, you’ll find hours of amusement and perhaps even days of education, or seconds of shear terror (smile)?
10 comments
I like their podcast but would also like there to be a WildSnow podcast hosted by you Lou.
Biggp, that is a very good idea. To try that out, I wonder if Doug and Randy ever need a guest host? The big talk shows do that, why not them? I’ll mention it. The problem with podcasts is that doing something with the excellent production values and editing of Totally Deep is more involved than most people realize. Doug and Randy have a recording engineer with a portable studio setup, who does post-production work on the audio and sweetens it for podcast type publication. It’s Chris Kalus, the same guy who does the Enormocast rock climbing podcast. He’s an ace. If I did a WildSnow podcast, I’d need to hire someone like Chris, and finding that budget and person is not easy. But I’ll look into it. Lou
Production values are overrated. Dare to be dull.
Thanks… listened to the “lou” podcast this am. Good stuff.
See, it’s not about being dull or not, it’s about people actually being able to understand what they’re listening to without running their own audio editing and filtration software suite. Lou
I really liked the podcast. I was just trying to say that I think that people with something to say shouldn’t worry too much about production values.
It also reminded me how medical pro’s shop talk can sound callous, but it probably helps them do their jobs better and cope with difficult stuff.
(Not saying you sounded callous, but that discussion of tragedies touches nerves.)
No way Lou … I’m not buying it! A man of your technical savvy could def figure out a way to make it happen, even on the cheap.
And for my part … “slick production” isn’t NEARLY as important as the content and perspective of the host … something that you have in spades. I phone interviews at trade shows, etc … it’s gold.
You doing their podcast kicks it up a notch … or a 1000. They are lucky to have you. Maybe you just move in on their gig and help them take it to another level.
Big, don’t get me wrong, I know how to do sound work, been using mixing boards and sound editing software for years, it’s just a matter of the time and expense to set it all up. But I’ll look into it. Thanks for the props. Lou