By Erik Leidecker
Alaska backcountry pilot, Drake Olson, waits for a lull in the wind and then guns the throttle. His plane, a highly modified Cessna 180 equipped with skis for snow landings, lifts off circles around and heads back towards the tiny airport in Haines, AK Read More…
The Crist brothers, along with Lynsey Dyer, hit up Steamboat earlier this month to test the new First Ascent ski gear in powder, bumps and corduroy. They also hooked up with the legendary Billy Kidd, former U.S. Ski Team member and resident of Steamboat Springs. This is the final stop for the team in the Lower 48 before heading up to Haines, Alaska for some epic heli-skiing.
I recently took a trip to Southern Utah to ski terrain that hasn’t seen this much snow in upwards of 30 years. A giant amphitheater of towering red rocks above 10,000 ft., the conditions provided a great adventure through untouched lands.
The canyon looked like one giant terrain trap with one-hundred-foot cliffs at the top of the rim guarding everything that looked skiable. The good snow funneled into what looked like steep and unmanageable gullies. We spent the entire first day assessing the terrain and analyzing the snow pack in order to form well-crafted opinions about the area. The next day we were lucky to find an entrance into the giant sand castle and the snow was stable enough to ski everything in sight. It was the best skiing of my life. I hope you enjoy the eye candy.
First Ascent ski guides, Reggie and Zach Crist, design and test gear from head to foot working with both Eddie Bauer and Northwest ski company K2. This past week, they spent a few days skiing powder in Monarch, Colorado to capture photography in support of the 2011 K2 ski line.
Heavy snow continues to fall in the Lake Tahoe region. As predicted, there has been over 4 feet in the past 4 days and more snow is forecasted. First Ascent guide and local Tahoe patroller Lel Tone has been busy at work throwing bombs and trying to keep the resort open. “It’s been a battle,” admits Tone, “but this is why we live here.” Read More…
Arusha, Day 8 4,600 feet
Inspiring. Surprising. Encouraging. That is how this trip has made me feel, encouraged. If a group of people this diverse can come together and push through rain, snow, headaches and physical difficulty to get to the highest point in Africa then imagine what we can do as a collective society Read More…
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