Rory Cowie: PhD / Owner
15 YEARS OF MOUNTAIN HYDROLOGY EXPERIENCE
Rory has a PhD in Mountain Hydrology from the University of Colorado and a BA in Ecology and Wildlife Biology from Colorado College. Dr. Cowie has worked in remote mountain ranges around the world including projects on Mt. Kilimanjaro in Kenya, the Annapurna and Everest regions of Nepal, Mt. Blanc and the Italian Alps, and across the Rocky Mountains and Alaska Ranges in North America. Dr. Cowie's most extensive work has occurred in the San Juan Mountains of SW Colorado and is currently based in Silverton, CO.
Dr. Cowie's professional interests are focused on the processes controlling hydrologic fluxes in mountain regions and across greater earth systems. Specifically, he works on understanding surface water and groundwater interactions in natural and human altered environments. Dr. Cowie's work focuses on both the development of remediation strategies to improve water quality in disturbed settings, and understanding how changing climate will impact water resource management practices across various spatial and temporal domains.
Alpine Water Resources uses physical hydrology principles combined with analytical chemistry analysis to unravel complex hydrogeology scenarios in mountain settings. Practical applications include identification of surface and sub-surface water flow paths connecting source waters to discharge points in natural (i.e. wetlands and fens) and anthropogenic (i.e. hard rock mining tunnels) locations across mountain watersheds.
President and Owner
Jack Klim: Avalanche Forecaster / Field Tech
10 Years of mountain guiding experience and snow safety
Jack Klim - Originally from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan (The U.P) he now calls Silverton, CO home. His folks raised him to be prepared for anything and embrace the harsh winters up North. The Great Lakes were a humbling place for Jack to grow up but he moved west to pursue adventure and earned a Bachelors degree of environmental studies at Fort Lewis College in Durango, CO.
Over the last 10 years Jack has worked as a mountain guide climbing and skiing some of the largest mountains in North and South America. Jack now manages safety for AWR as an avalanche forecaster and lead field tech. Jack is passionate about working in hydrology and assisting in innovative designs for water quality and management.
Jack loves creating memories in the mountains with extraordinary people. Developing relationships through deep-bellied laughter and sharing philosophies over a warm cup of coffee high up on in the mountains is the essence of Jack’s spirit.
Avalanche Forecaster / Field Tech
Nate Rock: Instrument Specialist / Field Tech
15 years of Academic and field team lead experience
Nate Rock- Always accompanied by his dog "Bear", Nate has spent thousands of field days collecting water samples and operating machinery. There is nothing Nate cannot fix and he spends most of his time leading the team in repairs and installation.
Nate enjoys cooking and baking delicious foods. He always has the best lunch in the field and his companion Bear is always the first to try. Nate also enjoys riding his snowmobile up slopes that are too steep and listening to his very eclectic playlist of music.