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Why choose Ridge Explorations Avalanche Education? Ridge Explorations offers the highest quality Avalanche Education. The avalanche education program began with Gary Brill, 23 years ago and continues to be revised with the latest advances in avalanche knowledge. Our curriculum is built on a foundation of snow science AND practical application. Like the students, instructors, Jerry Casson, Willi Prittie, and Don Langlois continue to train by attending professional avalanche conventions and continuing professional development events, most recently including International Snow Science Workshops 2008 & 2010, Northwest Snow and Avalanche Summits and AIARE Instructor Training Course. Ridge Explorations is an AIARE Course Provider. This kind of training means your instructors are versed in the latest in avalanche industry theory and practice.
Don Langlois Don's nautical background includes US Coast Guard 100 Ton Masters license, Able Bodied Seaman, sailing instructor, yacht delivery skipper, member US Sailing Association, and Applied Science Degree in Marine Technology. Voyages include Pacific Coast to the Arctic and New England to Carribean Sea. Jerry Casson Willi Prittie Cliff Palmer - Cliff has been a professional alpine guide and outdoor educator for over 17 years. During this time he has led trips and taught courses in South America, North America, and Europe. His outdoor venues include: mountaineering, rock-climbing, ice climbing, avalanche education, ski touring, sea-kayaking, and adventure trekking. He has been teaching avalanche education courses for 8 years. Cliff has received his professional training through the American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA), American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education (AIARE), Association Canadian Sea Kayak Guides (ACSKG), and National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS). Cliff is a Professional member of AIARE and certified AIARE Level 1 and Level II instructor. Cliff is also a certified Wilderness First Responder (WFR). Georgeann Silverman
Damian Clarke
Heiko Stopsack
Heiko works full time as a paramedic. With 28 years in Medical/Fire services, he is developing our REX medical programs. He is currently working on his Ski Mountaineering guide training. Heiko has skied the Oregon and Washington Cascades and interior British Columbia most of his life. Crystal is his home mountain, yet is frequently spotted on Mt. Hood. Heiko also teaches advanced medical continuing education to medical professionals. Level 1 Certified. Wilderness First Aid and First Responder Instructor. |
Don's is the owner and director of the avalanche education program. He has worked as a guide in skiing, sea kayaking, rafting, mountaineering and canoeing and as an Outward Bound instructor, and brings with him superior teaching skills. In 1977, Don began his preoccupation with snowy mountains. Working as winter Park Ranger at Mount Rainier National Park, he gained extensive experience in ski mountaineering, backcountry ski patrol, avalanche hazard evaluation and forecasting. Don started his training 34 years ago with well-known avalanche experts William Hotchkiss of the National Ski Patrol and Peter Lev of the American Avalanche Institute. More recently, Don trained at Industrial Level 1 & Level 2 with the Canadian Avalanche Association, Level 1 ski instructor with the PSIA, Level 1 ski guide with the Canadian Ski Guide Association, Hiking Guide with the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides. Don is certified WFR (Wilderness First Responder). He is a Professional Member of the American Avalanche Association and Affiliate member of the Canadian Avalanche association and trained in 
Jerry Casson, our senior instructor, is back for the 11th season. He is an avid backcountry skier and alpine climber. Jerry served his apprenticeship with Gary Brill in 2000 and completed the Canadian Avalanche Association Level I course for ski guides (equivalent to US level II) in 2001. After completing his Bachelor's degree in Atmospheric Science in 2004, Jerry worked as an intern forecaster with the Northwest Weather and Avalanche Center. Jerry achieved his Masters Degreeis in Atmospheric Science at the University of Washington after completing a two-year snow research project. Jerry is a certified WFR (Wilderness First Responder), an affiliate member of the Canadian Avalanche Association and a 
Willi has been climbing, skiing, guiding and teaching for the past quarter century. He taught some of the first recreational avalanche courses in the state with the Mountain School. Willi is considered one of the premier instructors in America and his students have had outstanding success in reaching personal goals. Needless to say, Willi has developed quite a following. He has led climbs to Cho-Oyu, Pumori, Island & Mera Peak in Nepal, Denali in Alaska and led other climbs in Mexico, Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia. In 2000, Willi led expeditions to Everest, Vinson, Aconcagua, Denali and Kilimanjaro. Willi is the consummate mountain guide and one of the most respected mountaineers in America. More recently Willi led the 2002 & 2003 Mt. Everest expeditions that put 31 climbers on the summit. Willi is AMGA Certified Alpine Guide and trained in 
Georgeann Silverman has been a partner on many Ridge Explorations adventures including canoe guiding in Ontario, sea kayaking British Columbia and Alaska and skiing trips in Canada. Her artwork and photography help present Ridge Explorations in the best light.
Damian is our "Office Guy" and holds down the fort while the REX team is out in the backcountry. Growing up at Crystal Mountain, Damian is avid skier and snowmobiler. As a Vacation property manager (see 
Assistant Guide. This season we are welcoming Heiko to lead REX Sidecountry classes and other guided trips and to also work with community outreach and marketing.