There’s a new captain at the Utah Avalanche Center cruise ship, and his name is Mark Staples. In August, longtime UAC Director, Bruce Tremper, announced his retirement. That same week, Tremper’s replacement was revealed, and the guy has some serious avalanche chops. Since Staples is now in charge of the organization that works to educate us about avalanche safety, and hopefully save lives by “keeping us on top,” I wanted to get to know him a little better. So I asked him a few questions, and you can read his answers below:
How has time in your new home in the Wasatch been so far? Settling in?
Fantastic. We moved into a great neighborhood right off I-80 near Sugar House. What a fall!! We love it here.
As the new Director of the Utah Avalanche Center, what are your credentials and history as an avalanche forecaster?
Worked as a pro ski patroller at Big Sky. I have a Master’s Degree in Engineering from MSU where I studied weak layer formation from variations in the energy balance in complex terrain. Then I was a forecaster at the GNFAC for 8 years. I have worked on special projects for the National Avalanche Center and been on the Governing Board of the American Avalanche Association. In the winter I’m an avid skier, snowmobiler, and ice climber.
You’re coming to Utah from Montana. Why did you choose to work in the Wasatch? Was it just for the job opportunity, or is Salt Lake a place where you hope to put roots down?
Well, it was the job opportunity that first caught my eye, but this place is incredible. There’s an amazing community here, amazing mountains, and some amazing snow. Also, have two young boys and third one on the way. This in a great place to raise a family.
How will your job be different in dealing with Utah’s snowpack compared to Montana?
In terms of the snowpack – no different except hopefully really stable snow and a lot more of it. Montana is cursed with typically thin early season snow and bitter cold temperatures.
Bruce Tremper is an icon in Utah’s backcountry community. Do you feel any pressure filling his shoes?
I do and I don’t. It’s incredibly humbling to have been selected for this position. Bruce has done so much at all levels of avalanche forecasting and education regionally, nationally, and even internationally. I’m overwhelmed when I think about trying to live up to that standard. I deal with it by focusing on serving the public the best I know how and by being a student. I hope to remain a student as long as I’m in this business.
Avalanche forecasting and education is ever evolving. What do you foresee in the Utah Avalanche Center’s future in regards to the way information is disseminated to skiers each morning?
That’s the big question. I think Google and other big tech companies are investing a lot trying to answer how we’ll digest information in the future. Technology will certainly play a big role in that. BUT, there’s no doubt that some things will remain the same. We need to remain accurate, credible, and provide timely, useful information. If we keep doing that, I thing we can figure out the rest.
Do you plan on making any changes during your tenure? I’ve heard rumors of expanding or even opening new forecast areas, especially in Central Utah. Tushar Mountains maybe?
It’s hard to say, but I’m sure we will look a little different in the next 10 years. For now we are expanding our education and outreach statewide, we’re increasing our forecast for the Skyline/Central Utah area from 1 fx/week to 2 fx/week. And we are launching a totally revamped Know-Before-You-Go program that will be adopted across the US.
Fundraising with the Friends of the Utah Avalanche Center is critical for your operating budget. Do you have any thoughts on creating more opportunity to get the community involved and donating?
The board and the Exec Director, Paul Diegel does an amazing job at that. We have some really smart and talented people on board who have great ideas and amazing foresight. Of course one of the big things that is already underway but will continue to expand is the public’s role in providing information to us and to everyone else. We can all help each other and help the UAC by sharing information about the snowpack. Technology will continue to help us do that.
When you’re not skiing or digging into a snowpack, what else do you like to do for fun? How do you spend your off season?
Rock climbing – and for that reason I can’t tell you how excited I am to be here.
Describe for us one of your favorite memories in the backcountry.
Getting back to the truck with good friends.
Is there anything else you want Utah’s backcountry community to know about you or your plans for the Utah Avalanche Center?
We have an amazing team and an incredible community of avalanche professionals in this area. I hope we can continue to be a portal for sharing all the knowledge and experience of these folks for the general public so that they can get out and experience the mountains, have the time of their life, and make it home to their family and friends every day.