Don Sharaf

Working for David Hamre and Associates LLC presents the perfect opportunity for Don to draw on his 30+ years as an avalanche professional. Years of glacier mountaineering and backcountry ski guiding led into over 20 years of mechanized ski guiding and operational forecasting. Avalanche forecasting and mitigation work for industry in Alaska further expanded his skill set. Decades spent as an avalanche educator and owner of the American Avalanche Institute gave him a wide perspective from his work on Professional Training Courses with many ski areas throughout the Western US and Alaska. Don has learned about, and been humbled by, many different snowpacks from the depth hoar in Colorado to the facet crust combinations of SE Alaska and the many permutations between. Don has had the honor to work with many of his generation’s top dogs and has had the pleasure of mentoring many of the leaders of the next generation of Snow Safety Directors, Avalanche Forecasters, and Guides.

The past two years with David Hamre and Associates LLC Don has assisted with the Alaska DOT&PF AHI study, and several RACS studies for ski areas. He has been the lead on several Avalanche Risk Analyses for private clients and the Alyeska Pipeline Service Company, and a comprehensive Snow Safety Program Review for three Colorado ski areas.

Don is based out of Victor, Idaho with his wife Julie, but they both spend months each year working in Alaska.

Staff

Dave Hamre

Founder/Owner/Senior Consultant

After a year on the ski patrol, Hamre was awarded the new position of Snow Safety Director at Alta, UT, in 1972. He was then 20 years old. After 5 years at Alta, he set his sights farther north, first… (Read more)

Mark O'Geen

Union Pacific Avalanche Program Manager and Avalanche Risk Consultant

Mark grew up in the Sierra Foothills and developed a love for skiing and rivers as a youngster. He obtained a business degree from Washington State University and headed for Utah to work in the ski Industry. His fascination with… (Read more)

Adam Clark

Burlington-Northern Avalanche Program Manager

Adam is a mountain professional based in Whitefish, MT where he leads the BNSF Railway Avalanche Program. He also works as researcher with the USGS Glaciology Program and as a professional mountain guide. Adam has a lifelong passion for the… (Read more)

Aleph Johnston-Bloom

Avalanche Risk Consultant

Aleph is an avalanche risk consultant living in Girdwood, Alaska. Prior to joining David Hamre and Associates in 2022, she worked locally forecasting for the Chugach Electric Association powerline for a season and for six seasons as the Lead forecaster… (Read more)

Ted Steiner

Burlington-Northern Avalanche Program Assistant Manager and Avalanche Risk Consultant

Richard (Ted) Steiner has been working in the avalanche safety arena as a practitioner since the mid-80s. He began consulting with David Hamre & Associates in 2005 and since that time has assisted with the design and operation of various… (Read more)

Andrew Schauer

Avalanche Risk Consultant

Andrew has worked in the avalanche industry for the past 7 years as a backcountry avalanche forecaster, educator, and guide in Alaska and Montana. He earned a Master’s degree from the Snow and Avalanche Lab at Montana State University and… (Read more)

Onno Wieringa

Avalanche Risk Consultant

Onno Wieringa was born in Conrad Montana and graduated from Montana State University with a B.S. in Commerce in 1972. During college Onno was a part-time ski patroller at Bridger Bowl and worked with Duane Bowles, Jim Kanzler, Terry Onslow, … (Read more)

Ken Bokelund

Avalanche Risk Consultant

Ken Bokelund’s career in avalanche mitigation and risk management spans over three decades, commencing with ski patrolling at Homewood Mountain Resort in Lake Tahoe in 1990. In 1992, he transitioned to Alpine Meadows Professional Ski Patrol, culminating in his retirement… (Read more)

Beth Cleary

Avalanche Risk Consultant

Beth graduated from Alaska Pacific University with a Bachelor of Arts in Outdoor Studies. During her time at APU, her studies focused on Snow and Avalanche Science. Beth worked for Alaska Mountaineering School for 10 years. She guided over a… (Read more)