In part-two of Powder Magazine's five-part multimedia series, The Human Factor travels to an avalanche zone deep in Alaska's St Elias Range.

Preview:

The second chapter begins with the backstory on guide Jake Merrill. If you can recall, Merrill was the assistant guide that passed away during the Wallowa Mountain avalanche in chapter 1. Page lays out the events leading up to the accident and details how all six heuristic cues were present at one time or another for various members of the group. 

Heuristic 1: FAMILIARITY

Heuristic 2: ACCEPTANCE

Heuristic 3: COMMITMENT/CONSISTENCY

Heuristic 4: EXPERT HALO

Heuristic 5: TRACKS/SCARCITY

Heuristic 6: SOCIAL FACILITATION/PROOF

With all six present, what was the mindset behind taking the group skiing when conditions were risky at best? Merrill might of been caught up in a simple game of,  "would you like a nickel or a dime?" More on that in chapter 2. 

Two months after the incident in the Wallowas, renowned ski mountaineer Andrew McLean and friends headed to the Alaska backcountry. 

Listen: 

Professional skier and mountain guide Andrew McLean explains the difficult responsibilities of a guide. 

Watch: 

Footage from the aftermath of the avalanche deep in Alaska's St. Elias Range. 

With so much experience and knowledge at hand, just like in the Wallowa Mountains of Oregon, you begin to ask yourself, "how could this happen"?

Presenting, 

Chapter 2 - Nickel or Dime by David Page: http://opsw.co/1Hm85om

Sam Collentine | OpenSnow