New Tech to Simplify Decision Making in the Backcountry

New Tech to Simplify Decision Making in the Backcountry

Author: BLISTER April 5, 2024 Duration: 1:01:03

After years in the backcountry and a near-death experience, IFMGA Guide, Jeff Banks, wanted to build a tool that could simplify and improve the decision-making of any backcountry user. The result is Aspect Avy


Kara Williard sat down with Jeff to discuss how this app compares to and complements other backcountry tools; key features such as Adaptive Slop Shading and “No Go Zones”; how it accounts for human factors; different types of risk; the general state of tech in the backcountry; and more.

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TOPICS & TIMES:

Jeff’s Background: IFMGA & Nordic (3:10)

Jeff’s Near-Death Experience (6:15)

Intro to Aspect Avy (9:18)

Adaptive Slope Shading (10:31)

No-Go Zones, Coaching Tool, & Runout Zones (13:21)

Human Factors (19:17)

Adaptive Tools (23:20)

Who’s It For? (30:32)

Tech & Backcountry Skiing (46:26)

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For anyone who has ever stood in a shop debating the merits of a new jacket or stared at a trail map while thinking about their skis, GEAR:30 is that conversation. This BLISTER podcast goes far beyond basic specs and marketing claims, offering a nuanced, often technical look at the equipment that defines our time outside. The discussion is driven by the people who live with these products: our own reviewers who are putting gear through its paces in real conditions, the designers who obsess over materials and intent, and the athletes whose livelihoods depend on performance. We also check in with the seasoned folks from our network of recommended shops, who see what works and what doesn’t after a season of hard use. Episodes dig into specific items, broader trends in innovation, and the sometimes-surprising realities of long-term testing. It’s a deep, authentic resource for anyone who appreciates the intersection of sports, design, and technology, and who believes the right tool can transform an experience. Tune in for honest, detailed talk that treats outdoor gear with the seriousness and curiosity it deserves.
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GEAR:30
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