Michael Novak
Physician assistant and wilderness medicine instructor with years of search-and-rescue experience and winter snow surveyor expertise, who teaches wilderness first aid and avalanche safety.
Best podcasts with Michael Novak
Ranked by the Snipd community
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Feb 24, 2026 • 1h 6min
Avalanche! The Psychology of Risk
Michael Novak, PA and wilderness medicine instructor with SAR and snow survey experience, and Scott Gaber, lead instructor at Teton Rescue and former Tahoe SAR leader, discuss the Lake Tahoe avalanche. They cover decision inertia and group pressure. They explain avalanche mechanics, risky terrain, and essential safety gear. They outline tactics to surface honest risk assessments in high-pressure backcountry situations.
