Solitude of the tele, slide.... by Jake Sakson

Beane and Rice Freeride

We respect tele skiers. We relate to them, they are the other dirt bags of the traditional ski world. Jake Sakson's and crew, living on "beans and rice" deepen that respect.

Beans and Rice Freeride from BeansandRiceFreeride on Vimeo.

MInarets.....Tetons.... valley of the tusk.....

  There are certain views that are as inspiring as they are iconic. I guess they are each for a reason and I guess that reason doesn't really matter so much as long as these spots are there to ponder such nonsense. Memories get attached to these spots and this is why more time is required in them as you get older. On a recent trip to mammoth I was caught by surprise when I saw the first place I stepped out of the safety of the ski resort for the first time over 20 years ago. I had to get a photo... My brain flooded with memories and how stupid I was hiking up this thing, no beacon, shovel,probe.... not that it would have mattered much without knowing how to use it..........

How would I have known over two decades later This piece of granite sitting directly on the Hill creek fault and long valley caldera would stop me in my tracks and make me wonder? What if I never took those steps?......

   A couple years later a Rock climber friend of mine (trust me you want to be friends with these guys... they have already been to anywhere you want to snowboard and know how to get there....they are probably better mountaineers than you are too... mike hatchet, Duh?) took me out to the Minarets a short walk from Mammoth mountain for sunset with a 12 pack..... etched in my brain like stone.....I remember wondering what it would be like to be out there looking back where I was and laughing! 

                A few years later I find myself in a familiar spot doing a similar thing. Eyes peeled out the window trying to keep the car on the road driving into Valdez over thompsan pass. That first blast of Chugach air when you open the door and stand in Awe of the books and the Tusk peeking through in the distance..... and any doubt of coming has long disappeared but... How and why am I here? What the f%$k am I doing??? nevermind that now, I can figure that out later. I wonder if the multitudes of shredders passing over that pass have that same feeling... probably in one form or another, than again does that matter?

             Abe my partner in Naklin Had been trying to get a hold of me for a week or two but in the middle of march that is tough especially when Jackson Hole is having a record winter. After Having a conversation right here on the back of my snowmobile watching one of the most heavy sunsets I had ever seen I decided we would start a company. It would live or die in the mountains for people who love mountains. This view is very inspiring and couldn't be anymore iconic, a staple to anyone heading to the southeast entrance to yellowstone but To snowboarders and skiers its a place to dream. To me its one more place in a never ending vortex of awsomeness that nature has given us to enjoy. The draw to mountains is a progressive obsession that actually has little to do with time spent daily in the wilderness physically (although it helps) but has everything to do with your minds obsession with it.

kEVIn jONes

Inspiration. Creation of the Tree graphic

Loving a fresh blue bird day in Mammoth!

Lonnie Kauk laying out a fresh turn off the back at Mammoth Mtn.  see more at www.mammothmountain.com

WINTER STRIKES BACK

Winter has come for a nice long visit, leaving with us plenty of humidity and stormy fun! Get out and enjoy the elements. .

KJ / AK / JIBS

 We also found some jibs to play around on.

Jones in Alaska

Alaska has this surreal glow or is dark most of the day. It's amazing. -12
degrees right now and going to be sunny!!!!!!

Pack it up . .

 The legen - wait for it . . . dary,  Kevin Jones packing up the gear and heading for AK.   Don't forget the ice axe. .

Lonnie Kauk

Whether climbing or shredding Lonnie has got the soul and style of a peaceful warrior.  Always ready to charge the most daunting obstacles and continually persevering with the same smooth style and joyful smile that we all admire.  Check Lonnie's site for some amazing photos and videos of this athlete in motion.  http://lonniekauk.com