My PhD work was not directly relevant to working on avalanche research but it did show me how to carry out mathematical research and computer simulations. Jim's decision to go into avalanche research was triggered by watching a television programme on the subject. I was watching a Channel 4 series called Equinox on avalanche research with some friends. Afterwards I realised that it was a fantastic opportunity to combine the two things that I love most - mathematics and mountaineering. Jim's work has taken him to Hokkaido University in Japan followed by a two-year stint at the University of Grenoble in the French Alps before returning for further work in Japan.
River climbing is just as dangerous as it sounds.
Most of us ended up in hospital after our first attempt in 1998. Jim was also part of a team that carried out an expedition to attempt to climb Manda III in the Himalayas in 1992. The field work that Jim carries out often requires both mathematical and mountaineering skills. In 1999, he was one of a team that was sent out to investigate the avalanche which killed 12 people near Chamonix in the Swiss alps. Being able to travel safely through the mountains in Winter is essential and this requires Winter mountaineering and ski mountaineering experience.