John Sykes
Degree(s) Held:
B.A. Psychology, Alaska Pacific University
Minor in Outdoor Studies
Degree Sought:
M.S. Earth Sciences, Snow Science
Advisor:
Email Addresses:
Project Summary
Poor decision-making by educated and experienced backcountry recreationists comprise a large portion of avalanche incidents and fatalities in North America. Previous research on decision-making in avalanche terrain based on accident analysis and user surveys has identified many ‘human factors’, or behavioral patterns that lead to high risk decision-making. Global Positioning System (GPS) tracking provides a quantitative analysis of terrain selection by backcountry users. This research focuses on the analysis of GPS tracks and implementation of a geographic information system (GIS) model to extract terrain metrics from publicly available GIS data. In addition to the GPS tracks, psychographic surveys are administered to evaluate factors that contribute to decision-making processes of participants
Presentations/Conferences
International Snow Science Workshop, Anchorage, AK 2012– Attendee
Southcental Alaska Snow Science Workshop, Anchorage, AK 2013-2015 - Attendee
International Snow Science Workshop, Breckenridge, CO 2016– Attendee
Southwest Montana Snow Safety Training, Big Sky, MT 2016 – Presenter, ‘Summary of MSU research on Lone Mountain Rock Glacier’.
GNFAC Professional Development Seminar, Bozeman, MT 2017 – Presenter, ‘Human Factors in Lift Access Backcountry Skiers’.
MSU Earth Science Colloquium, Bozeman, MT 2017 – Poster Presentation, ‘GPS Tracking and Terrain Analysis of Lift Access Backcountry Skiers on Saddle Peak, Bridger Mountains, Montana.
URISA Intermountain GIS Conference, West Yellowstone, MT 2017– Moderator
Professional Experience
Montana State University, Graduate Teaching Assistant
Courses: Weather & Climate, Snow Dynamics & Accumulation
2016 - 2017
American Avalanche Institute, Avalanche Educator
2017
Alaska Avalanche School, Avalanche Educator
2011-2017
Alaska Mountaineering School, Mountaineering Guide/Instructor
2011-2017
Chugach National Forest Avalanche Information Center, Internship
2014
Alaska Pacific University, Adjunct Instructor & Teaching Assistant
Courses: Glaciology & Glacier Travel.
2010-2014
Training & Affiliations
American Avalanche Association, Professional Member
American Avalanche Institute/Alaska Avalanche School, Level 3 Avalanche Course
Alaska Avalanche School, Level 2 Avalanche Course
Alaska Pacific University, Level 1 Avalanche Course
NOLS Wilderness Medicine, Wilderness First Responder
