David McClung is a professor in the Department of Geography and leader of the avalanche research group at the University of British Columbia. He has 35 winters of field experience and has published more than 150 technical articles on alpine snow and avalanches.
Ok, this might not be for you, but if you want to know anything about cold water in the outdoors, then come visit me and flip through this masterpiece.
Conveniently titled and broken up, clear explanations, loads of photos and diagrams. Every 'textbook' could be a little more like this one.
A highly technical, but very readable book about the science behind avalanches, management of them on a large scale and safety in avalanche terrain. Goes beyond what you need to know for backcoutry riding, but great if you like to really get into things.