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Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center Staff Forecasters
Doug Chabot
Doug, director of the Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center, received his B.A. in Outdoor Education from Prescott College in 1986. From 1990 to 1999 he worked as a professional ski patroller at Bridger Bowl Ski Area in Bozeman, Montana. Starting part-time in 1995, and moving to full-time in 1998, Doug has worked for the GNFAC as an avalanche specialist. He's worked as a professional mountain guide in Alaska and the western US from 1989 to the present. During the summer Doug works with Central Asia Institute in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Doug has been on 16 Alaskan climbing expeditions as well as climbs in Nepal, India, Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Mark Staples
Mark started working for the Avalanche Center three years ago teaching avalanche classes and volunteering as an intern. The following year he began forecasting on a part time basis while working as a professional ski patroller at Big Sky and began full time forecasting last season. He has a Masters Degree in Civil Engineering from MSU where he studied the energy balance of snow in mountainous terrain and its effect on weak layer formation. In summer months Mark has worked as a rock guide, NOLS instructor, construction consultant, and civil engineer.
Eric Knoff
Eric is the newest member of the Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center. He attended MSU and graduated in 2000 with a degree in physical geography. Post graduation, Eric worked with the NRCS in Bozeman as a Cartographic Technician. In 2002 Eric moved to Utah and became a professional ski patroller at Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort, where he patrolled for the next six winters. In addition, Eric has served as a professional mountain guide from 2001 to present for Exum Mountain Guides, Rainier Mountaineering Inc., and Mountain Link. He has guided trips from Alaska to South America and has been a two-time instructor for the Khumbu Climbing School in Phortse, Nepal.
