Ken Wylie's Harrowing Avalanche Experience and Its Lifelong Impact

What happens when a scenic adventure turns into a fight for survival? In this  episode, we sit down with Ken  Wylie, who recounts the day he was caught in a devastating avalanche 20 years ago. Ken takes us through the critical moments before the disaster, from the overlooked morning meeting to the ominous "wumpf" sound that signaled impending doom. His vivid storytelling brings to life the harrowing experience of being swept away by the avalanche,  and the moments of awareness before he passed out. This life-altering event has since driven Ken to dedicate his career to teaching avalanche safety and risk management. We delve into the profound lessons Ken learned from his near-fatal ordeal. He discusses the importance of not only technical skills but also social courage and collaborative decision-making in high-risk environments. Ken opens up about the challenges of his recovery and how he handled the emotional toll of returning to guiding after such a traumatic experience. Plus, we get a sneak peek into his upcoming presentation at the Southern Hemisphere Alpine Conference in Wanaka and his reflections on returning to New Zealand. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in outdoor adventure, risk management, or simply a compelling story of survival and resilience.
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Chapters

• 0:02 Surviving an Avalanche
• 8:36 Lessons From an Avalanche Survivor
• 20:17 Local Wanaka Podcast Promotion