Take the Pledge: Supporting Friends of CAIC and making smart backcountry choices.

Take the Pledge: Supporting Friends of CAIC and making smart backcountry choices
Wil Rickards

March 2020 – blue skies, a stable snowpack, COVID-19, and thankfully a quiet TH – A fun time to be playing in the backcountry.



February 2020 – first really warm day of the season and exposed rocks on a SW slope dish out a bigger slide than expected.



Early winter snowpack. Looking for clues
Take the Pledge



The beauty of the skintrack – how are you going to experience this while also mitigating the risks?
Wil Rickards
Wil was born in North Wales and steeped in its rich maritime, mountain and river folklore. In response to the request to “get a real job” he became first a teacher then professor of adventure education.
He then emigrated to where the sun shines for 300 days and snowfalls for 100 (Colorado). During more than 25 years as an outdoor educator, he worked Scottish winter seasons, taught canoeing, climbing, kayaking, and skiing throughout the States, Europe, and Australia. He also regenerated the University of Alaska Anchorage’s Outdoor Education program. His biggest adventure (by far) is fatherhood. It has also been the inspiration for his website www.wherethefruitis.com.
Things he likes to do include (middle) aging gracefully, and skiing (telemark) aggressively. He is happiest outdoors with a good view, good company, good weather/snow and the residue of self-powered adventure; sweat, a manic grin, and wild eyes.