Most Recent Blog Posts
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Surfing the Heaviest Wave in t Surfing the Heaviest Wave in the World - Teahupoo
- From: TetonGravityResearch
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Description:
May 13th, 2013 will go down as a memorable day in the Tahitian history books. Watch as Tahitian demi-god Raimana Van Bastolaer rode on some of the swell's best and biggest waves, along with professional surfers Maya Gabeira, Carlos Burle and others that were brave enough to take off on what's knows as the heaviest wave in the world.
http://redbull.com/surfing - Blog post
- 1 day ago
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People Are So Freaking Extreme People Are So Freaking Extreme
- From: TetonGravityResearch
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Description:
Nate Wallace skiing the Couloir Spencer with Yan Andre, and the Mallory on the North Face of the Aiguille du Midi with Dave Rosenbarger, Thor Husted and Oli Herren. Special turns on the Qui Remue by the Bird.
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- 1 day ago
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The Most Badass Toddler To Dat The Most Badass Toddler To Date
- From: TetonGravityResearch
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Description:
There is bonding time between a father and son, and then there is this. Not only is this little guy having a blast, he has the coordination to totally kill it. Lesson learned? Hockey sticks are the new Hula-Hoops.
- Blog post
- 1 day ago
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Aspen/Snowmass Open for Memori Aspen/Snowmass Open for Memorial Weekend
- From: TetonGravityResearch
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Description:
Aspen Mountain opens this weekend for summer operations and thanks to a very snowy late season, they will have lift serviced skiing and riding at the top of the mountain. Hopefully you haven't packed away your winter gear, because this is a weekend not to be missed.
The Silver Queen Gondola will run for regular summer hours from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, and the Ajax Express Chair will spin from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm for skiing and snowboarding.
Almost 90 acres of terrain will be open for skiing and riding, including: Silver Bell, Pussyfoot, Silver Dip, Blondie's, Dipsy Doodle, Dipsy Headwall, Summit, Buckhorn, Pumphouse, Tourtellote Park and North American.
The Sundeck will be open, as well as Ajax Tavern.
Ticket Information: Regular summer rates will be in effect for sightseeing tickets. Premier, Premier Silver and 6-and-under passholders always ride free in the summer with their 2012-13 winter passes.
All other Aspen/Snowmass passholders pay a discounted rate. For skiing and riding; adult, senior and youth passholders (age 13 and up) pay $18 and child season passholders (age 4-12) pay $9.
Skiing/riding tickets for non-passholders will be $36 per day for ages 13 and up, and $18 for ages 3-12.
Tickets will be sold at the Aspen Mountain ticket kiosk on Gondola Plaza from 10 am to 4 pm. Tickets can also be purchased online at www.aspensnowmass.com and over the phone by calling 970-923-1227.Ski & Snowboard Rentals: Four-Mountain Sports, located at 520 E Durant Street, will be renting skis and snowboards for $29/day and will be open for rentals from 9 am to 6 pm In addition, enjoy the spring season by renting skis and a bike on the same day for just $50*.
Need new shred gear? Now is the time to get it on the cheap. Check out these awesome deals here. Don't blow it.
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- 1 day ago
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Salvaging a Season Salvaging a Season
- From: TetonGravityResearch
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Description:
Salvage - Philippi Spring 2013 from Matt Philippi on Vimeo.
Matt Philippi’s winter was not the powder-filled fantasy he had hoped for. Instead of chairlifts and sled tracks, Philippi faced a worn-out space on the couch and over ten new screws added to his anatomy. After an entire winter of being bitch-slapped by the sport he loves, it would be logical for him to take it easy. But that just wouldn’t be any fun. We caught up with him to find out how he got so mangled, and how he’s already back in action.
TGR: You broke your wrist early in the season, how did that happen?
Matt Phillipi: It was December 18th and I was just skiing sidecountry in Jackson and got hung up skiing some trees. The next thing I know I’m waking up from a concussion with a broken wrist, and I don’t even know what happened. My radius was shattered and the joint surface in my wrist was mangled. The next night I went in for surgery. That was the last time I do a surgery without a nerve block.
TGR: That’s rugged. How long were you out for?
MP: It was a wrist, so I could keep skiing. I took a week-and-a-half off for Christmas.
By mid January I was hitting it really hard. I couldn’t snowmobile at all so I was resort skiing and doing big skin days. It was an amazing two weeks of skiing. I was really getting to know the resorts well.
TGR: Two weeks only? Then what happened?
MP: It was January 27th I was just skiing on the backside of Jackson, skiing Little Targhee headed towards Cardiac Ridge. It was the fourth of fifth skin lap of the day, in blower pow, and I hit a submerged stump. I guess I just wasn’t being careful enough, and hit it, compressed my ankle, and tomahawked down the hill.
Right away I knew my ankle was at least sprained pretty bad. It was about 2:30 in the afternoon and the only way out was to skin. I ended up doing a 3.5-hour skin back to the tram. There was a lot of screaming and swearing at myself but ultimately I made it out. It was one of the more intense experiences in the backcountry I’ve ever had. It was an awakening to how gnarly things can be back there.
TGR: So what was wrong?
MP: I was skinning with my inner anklebone broken completely off. I had to have a screw drilled into it to reattach it to my tibia.
TGR: So you snapped a bone off, and were still able to ski this year?
MP: I was back on skis by early April. I was out for about two months, which is pretty damn quick. The sprain was more of a pain than the break.
TGR: So this edit is kind of a comeback. How’d it get done?
MP: The sled skiing is in a secret zone south of Jackson. KGB productions had been out there working with a couple of people. I saw some Instagrams and wanted to hit them up. They took me there and it was a go. Before then I was sucking it up on the groomers. I went out there and hadn’t hit any airs yet, or anything, but I was able to get a couple of shots. A week later another storm rolled through. And I was able to get some more shots. The zone is rowdy. It’s one of those zones where you nearly run out of gas.
TGR: It looks rowdy, but that line you did in Grand Teton National Park was nuts.
MP: After that second day, it was getting towards late April, and Eric Daft wanted to go ski a gnarly line off the Grand itself, but they bailed and I got convinced to ski Dartmouth Couloir, which is off the south saddle of the Grand. It’s in between the Grand and the Middle. I Google Earth-ed it, and looked doable. But it was the type of day that should have been broken up. We started at like 4am, got to the line at 2:30pm, dropped, and had to hike out. There were grizzly tracks everywhere and a huge wet-slide that scared us. Check out the story at snowbrains.com
TGR: Totally seems worth it. So where are you now?
MP: I had a weird season with broken bones, but I’m stoked to end the season skiing how I wanted to, and all my confidence is back. I know I can push it harder next year and ski bigger lines. I’m looking to give it 110 as usual. It won’t be different than any other years; I’ll just start with a couple more scars.
- Blog post
- 3 days ago
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Sony Eye of the Condor 3 Previ Sony Eye of the Condor 3 Preview
- From: TetonGravityResearch
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Description:
EYE OF THE CONDOR 3 from La Parva on Vimeo.
The final chapter of the saga comes to fruition for its third and final year. Ski La Parva is thrilled to announce that it will once again be host to the annual Sony Eye of the Condor – a weeklong film and photo competition set high in the heart of the Andes.
This year’s event will showcase teams of skiers and snowboarders hailing from around the world August 2 - August 9. Discrete Headwear, and Icelantic Skis are among some of the teams returning but the competition will also feature some exciting new faces that will be making a first time appearance for the events third and final year. With all-star alumni featuring icons such as Andy Mahre, Pep Fujas, Sean Pettit, Tanner Rainville, Ingrid Backstrom, Rachael Burks, Seth Morrison, Chris Davenport, and more, you never know who will show up this year.
“Sony Eye of the Condor has been such an important event to us the past several years, and we would love to see more events with this format, but all good things must come to an end and we have decided to put this trilogy to rest and look forward to what is next. To those teams out there thinking about making the trip this year, I am going to make you an offer you can’t refuse!” says La Parva Director of Marketing and Sales Rodrigo Medina.
In addition to the competition, which will award cash prizes to the best video and photography portfolios, Sony Eye Of The Condor will present its annual forum discussions led by industry leaders examining the role action sports and media play in our society at large.
The week of festivities will culminate in the booming metropolis of Santiago Chile for the second annual iF3 La Parva/Chile (International Freeskiing Film Festival). The film festival will play host to the Sony Eye of The Condor awards and will include a celebration of the global Freeskiing film community, complete with athlete autograph sessions, film screenings, vendors, and live music.
The winning films and photos from Sony Eye of The Condor will be showcased not only in Santiago but also around the globe at the other iF3 events, including Montreal, Quebec; Annecy France; and Innsbruck, Austria.
Eye of the Condor is presented with the support of Sony. Please address press and other inquiries to La Parva Team eotc3@laparva.cl
- Blog post
- 3 days ago
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Third Annual Beartooth Summer Third Annual Beartooth Summer Session Presented by ON3P Ski Company
- From: TetonGravityResearch
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Description:
The Third Annual Beartooth Summer Session is set to occur from Wednesday through Sunday, June 5th-June 9th at Beartooth Basin Ski Area, formerly Red Lodge International Summer Ski Camp, and in the surrounding backcountry.
The little ski area, near the top of Beartooth Pass on the Montana/Wyoming border, features two high-speed poma lifts, steeps, chutes, cornices, and a terrain park at the bottom. The ski area was first opened in the 1960s as a venue for summer ski race training. During the late 1990s and early 2000s the ski area saw an influx of newschool skiing. Mickey Price, Tony Gilpin, Glen Plake, and Donovan Power trained and coached alongside Tanner Hall, Wiley Miller, Paul Cotter, and many others. Prominent film companies such as Teton Gravity Research, Team 13, and Toy Soldier Productions have featured footage from the Beartooth Basin Ski Area in their films.
The Second Annual Beartooth Summer Session brought approximately 100 skier visits and 40 competitors from all around North America. Writers from Teton Gravity Research, Sking Magazine, Bomb Snow Magazine, and Explore Big Sky covered the event.
ON3P Ski Company and other sponsors will be working with the ski area to host the session and build a quality terrain park and competition course. The event, terrain park, and ski area will be open to the public as well as to invited riders and photographers. In addition to world-class, lift-accessible summer skiing, the surrounding area has excellent backcountry access, including day-long tours, boot packs, and car shuttle laps.
On Saturday, June 8th, a big-mountain/slopestyle competition will take place at Beartooth Basin. Competitors will take top-to-bottom runs and be judged on style, technique, amplitude, and consistency.
ON3P will have its fleet of demo skis available free to the public. Tickets to the ski area will be discounted for session attendees to $40 per day. Half day tickets for $35 will also be available.
More details including group lodging options, competition registration, and a roster of invited riders will be published at www.beartoothsummersession.com . View the rest of the media gallery here. We hope to see you next month in the Beartooths.
Get ready for the summer season with awesome gear deals here.
- Blog post
- 4 days ago
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Video: See Why Aaron Gwin Is Video: See Why Aaron Gwin Is The Fastest Man In Downhill
- From: TetonGravityResearch
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Description:
You may have seen UCI Downhill champ Aaron Gwin tear up an event course, but this is another story. What happens when you take Red Bull mountain bike athlete Aaron Gwin, put him on a Specialized Demo 8 Carbon and film him on an amazing trail in Idyllwild, California?
You get this ridiculous edit, which should be all you need for motivation to blast down a white-knuckle descent of your own. Enjoy the ride...
http://redbull.com/bike - Blog post
- 4 days ago
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Laying Down Lines and Saving L Laying Down Lines and Saving Lives in Cooke City
- From: TetonGravityResearch
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Description:Words by Michael SudmeierImages by Sam PopeSome things in life are subject to change. And this is especially true for those who spend time in the backcountry. While recently filming near Cooke City, Montana for Way of Life, TGR athletes and filmers had to continually adapt to new challenges—including saving a man’s life. The plans for the trip had been simple enough—film some late spring ski descents at the end of April. The start of the trip, however, was filled with pow days, cold temperatures, and assisting with a rescue.
Before heading into the backcountry, the crew convened in Cooke City and geared up for the trip.“I thought it was going to be mainly mountaineering missions—skiing couloirs and things like that,” explained Todd Ligare. He was joined by TGR athletes John Spriggs and Griffin Post, as well as a production and support team that included Dan Gibeau, Sam Pope, Hennie van Jaarsveld, Corey Seeman, and Steve Popovich. Despite anticipating spring conditions, “It felt like a mid-winter trip in late April, which was awesome,” offered Spriggs. He and the group named the project Nightmare Camp—a play on TGR’s Fantasy Camp, which had wrapped up a few weeks prior in Alaska.After members of the crew skied a few lines on their first day, a snowmobiler approached them, searching for assistance and a means to contact rescue and medical personnel. “You could tell he was dealing with a heavy situation, but he seemed calm and was dealing with it appropriately,” explained Ligare. “He basically asked if we had a way to contact help.”The man’s friend had stopped breathing after his vest became tangled in his sled. “Basically, the [patient] had a protective vest on, and he was hill climbing,” explained Post. “Through an unfortunate series of events, his handlebars went through his protective vest and hung him.” The man had rushed to aid his friend, but his response time was delayed due to the steep slope on which the injured snowmobiler was perched. Initially, the snowmobiler was not breathing. Once freed from his sled, however, he resumed breathing but remained unconscious.
Whether exploring new zones or assisting with a rescue, the group relied heavily on its sleds.Tapping into rescue and medical training they receive at the start of each season, the crew from TGR sprung into action. Ligare sought out the crew’s satellite phone and medical equipment while Pope traveled to the injured sledder. Once at site of the incident, Pope and a snowboarder who was also in the area provided initial care for the patient. According to Pope, they “created a flat spot for [the patient], cleared his airway, stabilized his head, and put some layers under and on him to provide insulation from the snow.”After retrieving the group’s satellite phone, Ligare—now joined by Post—sought out higher ground in order to contact Park County Search and Rescue. Post remained in contact with rescuers while Ligare, Gibeau, and Spriggs brought the group’s medical kit and sked, a collapsible rescue stretcher, to the scene. The group helped Pope further stabilize the patient and initiated a high angle rescue to lower him down the slope. They also took turns traveling to Post, relaying updates to rescuers. Seeman, who had been in town servicing a snowmobile, led rescue personnel Ben Zavora and Jan Gaertner, President of the Cooke City EMS, to the patient.By the time Gaertner and Zavora arrived, the team had not only lowered the patient down the slope, but also prepared a landing zone for a helicopter. Gaertner and the team provided additional care and readied the patient for transport. “We packaged him, got him on some oxygen, and cleared his airway,” she explained. “I also put an AED on him [in the event his heart stopped]. He had quit breathing twice.” Fortunately, the weather briefly cooperated with rescuers. “We got there and the sky opened up and the sun came out. We got a helicopter in and when the helicopter left, the clouds came over and it started snowing again,” explained Gaertner.“I’ll tell you what, it was not his time to die,” offered Gaertner. She credits the team from TGR with ensuring this was the case. “The guys did an awesome job,” she explained. “They were so excited to use their skills and equipment. I would work with those guys any day.”
In a letter to TGR, Jan Gaertner—President of the Cooke City EMS—thanked the crew for its assistance.For the team, the incident provided an opportunity to put into practice the skills they had cultivated through TGR’s annual safety summit, the International Pro Riders Workshop (IPRW). Although the curriculum is continually evolving, IPRW aims to help attendees successfully negotiate the challenges inevitable in backcountry travel. The course typically addresses assessing avalanche terrain, initiating first aid in a wilderness context, and leading rescue efforts.According to Cofounder Todd Jones, TGR developed its IPRW program because “we recognized that we’re out in a really dangerous and inhospitable environment that demands high levels of training and expertise. That training can make the difference between a fairly standard rescue and a really bad situation.”
IPRW ensures TGR's team is prepared for backcountry emergencies. Luckily, no emergencies resulted from the crew killing this line.The rescue in Cooke City served as a testament to the training’s success. In a thank you letter to TGR, Gaertner wrote, “Your skiers were the first responders on the scene, and because of their training and communications [they] saved this man’s life.” According to Spriggs, the high angle rescue that the team performed was “exactly what we learned at IPRW.” Gaertner noted that the team was especially successful in executing the skills it had developed at the workshop. “It’s one thing to get the training,” she explained. “It’s another thing to be able to act on it—and all those guys were able to act calmly and efficiently and do what they were taught to do.”During its time in the Cooke City area, the TGR crew checked in with Gaertner to receive updates on the patient’s status. After several days in a coma, the man was released from the hospital. He is expected to make a full recovery. This, according to Ligare, “is a miracle—or at least not typical.” After all, the man had stopped breathing twice throughout the incident.The rescue with which the team assisted provided an unusual prelude to the trip—and the adventures only continued. At the start of their filming, “it snowed two feet so we just skied pow for days,” revealed Post. “It was unseasonably cold for the first four days and we had some of the best snow of the year.”For the ten day trip, the crew established a base camp from which they began sledding and touring each morning. “We basically had a little village out in the woods and camped there and didn’t come back to town,” explained Post. “We were really much more immersed in the mountains than trips where you just go out for the day.”
The crew was better at skiing than cooking, as evidenced by its reliance on precooked dinners.Although the group had a large dome tent, plenty of food, and a propane stove and heater, being immersed in the mountains was not especially luxurious. Temperatures one evening hovered near twenty below. For dinner, the crew had “two different options of precooked meals that we would heat up: Mexican or Thai. The big joke every night was ‘what do you guys want for dinner?’” explained Pope. As the days progressed, the crew also established a second camp from which it could access more remote zones.
There's nothing like the smell of a campfire--especially one accompanied by the smell of wet socks and boots.According to the team, its base camp provided quick access to terrain but was not without its challenges. “The camping adds a whole new layer of logistics to deal with—drying clothes, charging batteries, and dumping footage,” Pope explained. The group’s proximity to its target terrain helped fuel the intensity of the experience. “The trip was probably the most full throttle trip I have ever been on,” revealed Post. “We were just so busy—we would get up at six pretty much every morning, put our ski boots on by seven-thirty or eight, and we’d pretty much be skiing and in our ski boots until eight at night.”As the temperatures warmed up towards the end of the trip, the crew was also able to ski several couloirs. After being shut down on one couloir due to rapidly softening snow and wet slides, the team was able to ski the couloir on its final day. “The snow conditions were super variable,” revealed Pope. “But to me, that’s the impressive thing about professional skiers—they make it look easy no matter what the conditions.” But this should come as no surprise. After all, they can even make saving a life look easy.
The crew kicked back in Cooke City at the trip's conclusion. - Blog post
- 1 week ago
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Got Wood? Pinewood Derby Snowb Got Wood? Pinewood Derby Snowboard - Every Third Thursday By Signal Snowboards
- From: TetonGravityResearch
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Description:
Signal Snowboards cap an epic 2012/13 winter with a good old fashioned derby race! Paying tribute to traditional pinewood derby races, Signal founder Dave Lee rounds up pinewood 2x4s as the foundation for these unique snowboards. The Signal crew then gets to work in the factory planing and gluing the 2x4s to create the base for each board. Custom graphics are added, then it's time to hit the road to Mammoth Mountain. Snowboarders Ian Thorley, Dylan Synnott, Joey Yorba and friends meet up with Dave to transform these boards into their own custom derby destroyers! With boards assembled the guys hit the hill to compete on their creations. You won't believe the speed these guys get on 2x4s! Goodbye winter—hello summer 2013!
- Blog post
- 1 week ago
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Roner Vision: 800-ft Snowmobil Roner Vision: 800-ft Snowmobile BASE Jump
- From: TetonGravityResearch
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Description:
Professional skier Shane McConkey pushed the limits of possibility in big mountain terrain. As a friend and mentor to Erik Roner, his 2009 passing was a huge loss. Erik decided it was time to honor his friend by disposing of Shane's snowmobile in the only way that made sense—by BASE jumping it off an 800-foot cliff! With former pro snowboarder Jim Rippey in tow to help with the stunt logistics, Erik hits the road to Fernie, British Columbia and a massive cliff face. Watch as Roner pulls the throttle and pushes his own limits for Shane!
- Blog post
- 1 week ago
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Sending It with Sage: Postcard Sending It with Sage: Postcards from Fantasy Camp
- From: TetonGravityResearch
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Description:
After returning home from his annual pilgrimage to AK, Sage Cattabriga-Alosa gave us a glimpse inside Fantasy Camp. Located deep within the Neacola Mountains, Fantasy Camp served as TGR’s staging ground this spring. Whether nailing first descents or documenting them, the TGR crew kept busy filming for Way of Life. As we gear up for the film’s release, we’ll be filling you in on what went down in Alaska.
Words and Images by Sage Cattabriga-Alosa
Todd Ligar and Ian Mac look down on a nice little spine wall we dubbed NHL. The wall earned this name because lurking just under a thin dust of snow was a solid sheet of ice that stretched from wall to wall. It made for some exciting attempts at hanging on—and some hockey stops.
Ariel views like this allow for quickly spotting multiple zones. I often go back through my photos, looking for areas where lines and zones might have been hiding on the first look.
The Land of Ice—seeing glacial caps and massive glacial fields is quite a sight. It’s cool to see mountains being formed right before your eyes.
The ol' Look down.
Ian Mac speeds out of a massive line in an icy world. The challenge on lines like this is dealing with an exit plan. Large bergshrunds littered the bottom of this wall and the snow was firm underneath the top layer. Needless to say, control—and a plan—was critical to getting out safely.
House-size chunks of ice and snow make up this peeling glacier.
This looks like a calm perch, but the area below is loaded with spince walls that branch out in almost all directions. Here, Ian enjoys a moment of calm before the storm.
Tim Durtschi launches into a 360 off this natural spine flank. This was his first film line of the trip, and he came out of the gate hot!
Mountain views for days.
The glow of the sun reflects off the ocean in the distance.
Wind can be your enemy out in the alpine, turning glory pow into sastrugi moguls. Luckily, we found protected zones that held good snow through the end of our trip.
Tempting fruit.
A razorback.
Doug Brewer, a bush pilot, was the key to our success at Fantasy Camp. He flew us, our gear, our camp supplies, and fuel out in many different flights. In this photo, he is headed home after taking us on a recon flight in his Bush Hawk.
GPS helps, but helicopters are fly-by-sight aircrafts.
This is how we measure our time out in the helicopter. It keeps track of the amount of hours that we are pulling power, and how long we can fly.
Sammy Carlson flies out of the bottom of a fun line.
The production team hard at work. Dutch Simpson shoots third angle, picking up the action, and reaction as we roll up to the group at the end of each run. And Tim D, who mostly shoots his Sony Action Cam helps out.
Dana Flahr lays some smooth tracks while killing time before our next set up.
A zone that got away... always tons of options out there. And it feels good to have goals for the future. It looks like you could have a bit of fun with this one.
Ice . . .
Ice . . .
Baby. - Blog post
- 2 weeks ago
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Angeli VanLaanen Speaks Out on Angeli VanLaanen Speaks Out on her Lyme Disease Awareness Film LymeLight
- From: TetonGravityResearch
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Description:
LymeLight - The Story Of Professional Freeskier Angeli VanLaanen Living With Lyme Disease from NEU PRODUCTIONS on Vimeo.
"LymeLight," an inspirational Lyme Disease awareness film centered on professional freeskier Angeli VanLaanen and her battle with the complicated, debilating disease, was recently released for free online by Neu Productions. We reached out to Angeli for her insight into the film, the biggest obstacles faced while filming, the level of Lyme awareness she hopes to achieve, and how she is currently doing with the disease.
Check out our interview with Angeli below, and watch "LymeLight" in it's entirety above.
What excites you most about the release of "LymeLight"?
The making of "LymeLight" was in part funded by 150 people who donated during a Kickstarter fundraiser we held last May. The most exciting aspect of releasing "LymeLight" is sharing the final product with everyone involved in funding this film. I am forever grateful for their support in making "LymeLight" happen!
What was the biggest challenge you faced while creating this film?
The most challenging yet rewarding part of creating a documentary film on my battle with Lyme Disease has been processing the emotions that built up over 14 years of misdiagnosis. "LymeLight" is an authentic and raw account of what I went through before and after my diagnosis in 2009.
What is your inspiration behind "LymeLight" and what do you hope to accomplish with the film?
My inspiration for "LymeLight" came from my personal experience battling and overcoming Lyme Disease. When I was diagnosed in November of 2009, I struggled to find a hopeful outlook on my diagnosis. I searched high and low for a Lyme treatment success story to look up to, but only found horror stories and a grim reality for people battling Lyme Disease. I looked for support from my family and close friends, but found their lack of understanding of Lyme Disease very isolating. When you have an illness that manifests as both physical symptoms and mental/emotional symptoms, it is challenging for someone who has not experienced a neurological condition themselves, to fully understand the impact. Hearing that I never looked sick from friends, is a testament to how invisible this disease can be.
I have many goals for "LymeLight", all of which fall under the category Lyme awareness. My family and friends often felt lost in trying to help me. Navigating your way through illness is tough for both the patient and their support system. One of my goals in creating "LymeLight" is to reach out to the people battling Lyme Disease and their support systems. With understanding comes compassion and compassion inspires personal strength. I want to inspire people to be strong through hard times.
I am motivated by preventative action! I went years clueless to the cause of my illness. For fourteen years I had doctors stumped! Through education, "LymeLight" will impact those not yet diagnosed. I found my diagnosis because of my Aunt Jenny. She saw a documentary film on Lyme, "Under Our Skin," and recognized the symptoms in my health struggles. I asked my doctor to be tested for Lyme Disease and two weeks later, I was diagnosed. That documentary changed my life. I want to make that same impact on the lives of others.
My goal is to bring Lyme Disease prevention through Lyme awareness. I plan to take LymeLight on a tour to talk to people, mainly schools about Lyme Disease. By teaching kids and their parents proper tick extraction and follow up protocols, we are empowering them to catch Lyme Disease early. With exciting and beautiful imagery balancing out the struggle in "LymeLight," this film will be relatable and appropriate for all ages.
You've been living with Lyme for over 15 years, what is your current state with the disease?
I am happy to report, I'm in remission. And I'm ecstatic! Being in remission is the best case scenario for someone with Lyme Disease. There is no technique in the medical field reliable enough to test if you have eradicated the Lyme bacteria completely. Therefore, doctors use clinical diagnosis to determine your progress. When you are symptom free, is when you are in remission. With there being no guarantee of a cure, it's easy to doubt your recovery with the "what ifs" looming. This is one of the harshest realities about having Lyme Disease. I am still working to regain my physical confidence. My outlook is, with a healthy and active lifestyle I will support my body in remaining in remission.
Check out more about Angeli and "LymeLight" here.
- Blog post
- 2 weeks ago
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Aspen Obscene Aspen Obscene
- From: TetonGravityResearch
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Description:
Photos: Digi Dave
Nobody is concerned that Than is missing. We haven’t been in Aspen for 12 hours, and we’re already a man down. Breakfast at Aspen’s Jour de Fete is just too damn good. The genuine Frenchman in charge of whipping up espresso drinks and croissant concoctions could make me forget my grandmother going missing in Chicago’s Southside with a bag full of cash and a slow pace. The sun is shining, and Than’s empty seat at the table makes it easy for us to spread out—keeping our hangovers from combining into the perfect storm… For now.
The plan was simple enough—get to Aspen for the extra bonus closing at Highlands. Late winter in the Southern Rockies is making up for a lackluster early season. Colorado’s inbounds terrain is the best it’s been all year, and the lifts at Jackson Hole hadn’t been spinning for nearly a month.
Aspen, contrary to the Bogner and Bentley façade, is a dirtbag’s delight. So, to get in touch with Aspen’s seedier side, Than, Cook, and myself jumped into a car and decided to see for ourselves.
We arrive late Friday night after a whirlwind of snus tins and malt beverages. The Limelight hotel is surprisingly cheap during the off-season and their breakfast is way above average. They also allow dogs, so pick up a puppy on the way over as a conversation starter.
After stocking the fridge and then promptly trying to empty it, we wander over to Little Annie’s. Seventeen dollars later we have a pitcher of Budweiser and five shots of Early Times whiskey. Repeat. Repeat. Everything begins to taste like band-aid and herpes. Repeat. Two repeats later and I’m drinking out of a shoe.
By the time breakfast rolls around, Than is missing. We’re not worried. You will meet the girl/guy of your dreams in Aspen. It’s what happens when the entire population of the town, and all of its visitors are there for the soul purpose of having fun. You might even throw up on said dream girl’s porch. Than shows up as we wrap up our meal with a smirk.
After a few more breakfast beers, it’s ski time. We arrive greeted by none other than Klaus Obermeyer. He yodels for us and announces the skiing is “Eleven out of ten!”
He’s right. All of Aspen Highlands’ 3,635 vertical feet have achieved a miraculously good corn cycle and the snow is nothing short of heroic. Snow fuels celebration, which in turn fuels skiing. Somehow we don’t get removed from the ski area, the bus ride home, or the hotel.
As Aspen becomes a blur of laughter, empty glasses, and haphazard street crossings, I start learning all sorts of lessons. The most important ones are these:
1.Tables comprised of the same sex are always looking for trouble.
2.Colorado’s new views on certain controlled substances don’t suck.
3.Getting forcibly removed from the staff bathroom at Escobar with a new friend is totally worth it.
4.If you’re trying to get away with skinny-dipping after-hours, claim that you’re a lifeguard.
5.If all else fails, go to New York Pizza. If everything is failing, you probably need to eat anyways.
Suddenly the sun is out again and we’re hiking up to the top of Highlands Bowl for the last run of the season. A crowd of locals is gathered to take in the Maroon Bells, sip champagne, and shred the shit out of an incredible late season snowpack one last time. For all the glamour associated with Aspen, the group taking the season’s last run down the bowl shows none of it. It’s just skiers and smiles. Every turn puts us further from the season. Despite the fact that I haven’t slept in two days the snow is so good and the runs are so steep I have one of my best runs of the season.
I slide sideways into the base area in a spray of snow, thoroughly used up, totally worn out. Ski season—what a ride.
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- 3 weeks ago
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Utah's Growing Season Utah's Growing Season
- From: TetonGravityResearch
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Description:
Words: Erme Catino
Photos: Joe Johnson
Sun is shining, the weather is sweet. Make you want to move your dancing feet.
The April sun has already begun blooming flowers in the Salt Lake Valley. Spring, the perennial fight between winter and summer has been entrenched in weather warfare.
To the rescue, here I am.
The blooming flowers in my backyard were making me nervous, a few damp powder laps worsened this knot in my stomach. Winter, I knew you weren’t done. The growing season this April hasn’t been the tulips in the valley. No, they are stunted. This April the growing has been the snow-stake at Alta.
Want you to know, y'all, where I stand.
A-top an untouched powder run. My mind races before I drop. Are these the last few face shots of the season? A few days go by, more powder pillaged, some deeper some thinner; a little wind rebuffs everything as folks down the valley are still trying to decipher what’s going on.
Tell myself a new day is rising.
Another storm is on the horizon. Boots shuffle around the parking lot at Alta ski area. Echoes of avalanche control work bounce off the walls of Little Cottonwood Canyon—what is today’s date, I’ve lost count, a friend reminds me, and I was a week off. Who cares? We hear the backside is about to pop.
Get on the rise a new day is dawning.
Late spring is notorious for thinning crowds, so Alta closes for 4 days, reopening for the final few weekends. LCC and the Wasatch continue to deliver, the snowpack growing larger as ski-resorts across the state are shutting down. A few powder laps at Snowbird, and some glorious touring on stable conditions. It’s beginning to feel like mid-winter and the lines are filled as if it is.
When the morning gathers the rainbow. Want you to know I'm a rainbow too.
The event has taken hold of skiers who have continued shredding. We feel engulfed in the weather and snow, our legs tired from going almost two weeks straight. Forecasts call for another storm; it’s downgraded, and then scaled up. Catching wind of this possibility, and recent daily dosing of pow, a friend arrives in town. It goes nuclear, storming all night and day. A classic Alta storm-day goes down, complete with high fives and powder caked smiles, truck pick-ups from Keyhole laps, deep runs in Eagles Nest, and it’s almost May!
So, to the rescue here I am.
April, the spring weather battle has shown winter triumphant. The snowpack has grown to its deepest of the season—perhaps some snow will arrive in May. Only time will tell, but for now we’ll bask in it and toast to the sun and snow gods. Sun is shining, the weather is sweet…
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- 3 weeks ago
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My binding snapped ! My binding snapped !
- From: sammyswisso
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Description:
Because i forgot to put the pins back in !
- Blog post
- 3 weeks ago
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Through the Lens: Jason Thomps Through the Lens: Jason Thompson
- From: TetonGravityResearch
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Description:Words by Kim Havell and Jason ThompsonImages by Jason ThompsonUpon graduating from Montana State University in 2004, photographer Jason Thompson joined Big Sky’s Ski Patrol and also worked as a mountain guide in Washington and Alaska, steadily building a career in adventure photography. His focus is on creating skiing and climbing imagery that captures the essence of action adventure.With a style that Thompson describes as “raw and unposed”, he strives for simplicity. His images are the product of his lifestyle, telling stories inspired by nature, adventure, and the human experience. At twelve years of age, Thompson decided to pursue photography with an old-school Olympus camera. He took photography classes in high school while shooting action photos of skiing, backpacking, and soccer.
Thompson is currently on an expedition to University Peak in Alaska with friend and ski partner, Forrest Coots. When asked about Thompson, Coots shares, “JT has a strong skill set built from years of guiding. He is comfortable climbing and skiing big lines, while also shooting, which allows him to capture that raw-feeling. His images reflect his travels through the mountains via ice climbing and ski mountaineering in iconic locations around the world.”
The Start—Insights from JasonAs a kid, I was drawn to the mountains and loved the winter months. Growing up in the Pacific Northwest I was exposed to some of the finest mountain terrain in the lower 48. The Olympic Mountains served as my launching point for adventuring as well as capturing the escapades with my camera. The Washington experience extended from childhood through high school.A high school friend gave me a flyer for Montana State University. That was the first time I realized the power of marketing; there was a skier on the front page of the flyer. I was sold. I had also seen many of Kris Erickson's pictures and read many of Hans Saari's words. It was an easy move to a place where two creative adventurers that I had looked up to had made their home base. In the fall of 1999, I moved to Bozeman, without ever having been there, two days before classes started. Five years later I graduated with a degree in photography. The community in Bozeman welcomed me and it’s been home ever since.
Breaking ThroughFor me, the photography process has more been a series of ups and downs with a continual ebb and flow. There have also been great moments that have provided me with bigger surges.In 2008, Tyler Jones, Seth Waterfall, and I received a Hans Saari Ski Exploration grant for a trip to Mount Shkhara in the Republic of Georgia, located in the Svaneti Region. I had to plan a major trip from a climbing/skiing perspective as well as from a photography perspective. It was a great learning exercise. The expedition was powerful for the three of us, visiting a place that we knew little about. It left a mark on me in my young photography career.In issue #36 of Alpinist Magazine I had a double page spread. The article, written by Joe Josephson, was about ice climbing in Hyalite Canyon here in Bozeman, Montana. I was humbled and thrilled at this incredible opportunity to be involved.
InspirationDuring my junior year of university, Kris Erickson came in and gave a talk to my photography business class. It was groundbreaking for me. I remember being blown away by the images he was showing, the adventures he had been on, and the people and places he had seen. It was an inspiring forty minutes for me. I remember thinking that, yep, I could do that for work.Since then I have had a chance to get to know Kris better. The insight he provided that day and since then has motivated me to follow suit in many ways and has helped me to carefully evaluate how I mold and shape my photography and my brand. I have heard Kris mention so many nuggets of wisdom over the years. When I used to shoot slides, I built myself a light table, made of out of cheap plywood and plexiglass. I would write quotes or ideas that I had heard which inspired me or had caused me to take pause. Some of my favorite nuggets written on that light table were from Kris. I wish I had kept that light table—somewhere during the many moves I lost it.
SafetyI have always wanted to be a photographer and that has always been my number one goal. But, I tactically decided early on to pursue ski patrolling and guiding in order to give me a solid foundation of management, in particular from a safety standpoint. I heard Will Gadd explain his philosophy and outlook on life as a “positive, negative outlook.” Meaning, the universe is out to kill us. As Will put it, if you get hit with that piece of ice that is your fault. No one else can be blamed for that. He preached personal responsibility. I agree.
As a ski patroller at Big Sky Ski Resort, I learned a lot over the years about avalanches and helping others with medical incidents and avalanche mitigation. I also started mountain guiding, spending time in the Alaska Range and on Mt Rainier.
I have a very open dialogue with athletes with whom I am shooting. Safety is number one. Just because there is a camera does not mean that you have to accept a risk that you wouldn't normally take. The industry trend is to make everything look very sexy. Often times the careful calculations are not shown or exposed. That is one of the things I want to bring to the table as a photographer. Showing the process of how the hazard is being evaluated and what steps are being taken in order to minimize “our” exposure to that risk or hazard.
The Creative ProcessThe creative visual process has only begun to take shape in the vertical terrain. I think that we have just seen the beginning. As a visual adventure artist I try and pre-visualize how an athlete will ski a certain line or climb a certain line. I use the athlete as my brush stroke on a blank canvas to generate the exclamation point to the already stunning landscape.Hans Saari stated this idea beautifully: “ The vibrancy of the line means everything. Like a cello, there is no sound until the string is taut. The more you struggle, the tighter the string, the greater the music.”
The BusinessWith the current status of the industry, it takes creativity to approach the visual side of things and to see things from new angles. If I use a business model that my mentors used previously, chances are that I probably will not last too long in this industry.The digital age has shifted many things. But, I believe that relationships propel us forward. It’s the human connection. As a viewer of images, you are drawn to the content that captures that soul. One of the quotes that I had written on my plywood light table twelve years ago was from Kris Erickson—“It’s about the relationships.“
Just like any business that is starting out, a plan of action has to be put into place. Still, taking that first step into the unknown is still probably one of the biggest adventures upon which I have embarked. But just like climbing or skiing a big objective, after the first few pitches your nerves calm down. I have been able to realize that “yeah, I can do this.” It’s something that you have to commit to. It’s a lifestyle. Creative artists pour their lives into doing what makes them passionate.
PartnershipsTime spent with friends exploring and adventuring inspires me the most. I've found a greater personal joy in the expedition style shooting versus the one-day shoots. It is a chance to get to know my subjects in greater detail and see more of their personalities shine.
There are several folks with whom I really love working:- Ice climber Andres Marin has been a great friend of mine for a very long time. His energy is contagious. Andres has a drive for perfection and professionalism that is very admirable.- Forrest Coots and I met for the first time while in Chile during the fall of 2011 on a ski trip. We meshed right away. I enjoy Forrest's desire to take trips to places that require some thoughtful planning. Forrest and I have sat in our tents during storms and shoot texts back and forth dreaming about trips and different ideas that spark our passions for skiing in the mountains.- Tyler Jones and I met in 2005 while we were guiding for the same company. Tyler has since gone on to finish his AMGA guiding certifications as the youngest American to complete the process. His meticulous attention to detail is somewhat astonishing. Tyler is one of my best friends. From the Republic of Georgia, Montana, Alaska and La Grave, our mountain time has played a huge role in our friendship. I've learned a ton from Tyler in regards to hazard mitigation.- I was recently on a shoot with Conrad Anker. His vision, dedication and outlook on life is inspiring. He would prefer to talk about his new route the “Nutcracker” than talk about his last summit on Everest without oxygen. His psych for climbing is contagious, his energy transcends generations, his talents are inspiring to watch, and his mentorship helps many. Conrad never stops learning and he is a proponent for adaptation. That’s just rad.
The Future of the IndustryI believe the future involves a lot of creative collaboration. Sharing ideas and collaborating can be very rewarding. It will most likely evolve and morph on a much larger scale. I know of some climbing projects that are in the works based on wide scale submissions from climbers willing to submit content from a whole season’s worth of footage from one location. So instead of one or even five filmers being involved, there will be fifty contributing work.
Career Highlights- Every year I make a little more money than the previous year as a photographer.- Having my first image published in a Patagonia catalog and then having them re-license it for a store display in the Seattle store—that was a goal of mine that year and it felt really good to nail it.- Being awarded the Hans Saari Ski Exploration Grant for a Ski trip to Mt Shkhara in the Republic of Georgia.- Double page spread in Alpinist Magazine #36- The moment I realized that I actually had an audience that was listening to me and actively following my work. It was a moment that shifted my mindset and challenged me to work even harder. It wasn't just my mom who was looking at my pictures anymore.- Being asked to give a talk at Montana State University in the same business photography class in which I had heard Kris Erickson give his talk.- The friends I have made and the many interesting people that I have been fortunate to meet over the years because of photography.- Being invited on the Cerro Castillo ski trip in Patagonia with Drew Stoecklein, Chuck “The Pit Viper King” Mumford and Forrest Coots to work on and create the short film “Take The Ride.”To view more of Jason's work, drop into http://www.jthompsonphotography.com
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- 4 weeks ago
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TGR Partners With Rumblefish T TGR Partners With Rumblefish To Provide Music For The Co-Lab
- From: TetonGravityResearch
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Description:
Teton Gravity Research understands that music is a major part of your edit for The Co-Lab, and want to make sure contestants have everything they need to be as creative as possible. TGR has partnered with Rumblefish, giving contestants the beats they need to create an edit. This TGR partnership with Rumblefish allows contestants to download two free tracks with appropriate license agreements.
CLICK HERE for everything you need to know about music and The Co-Lab.
As part of The Co-Lab, skiers will team with filmers to produce a clip that they will submit to TetonGravity.com between May 1, 2013 and May 31, 2013. After that, TGR will reveal all of the edits and the public will vote to decide a winner. $100,000 is up for grabs, making The Co-Lab the biggest cash prize in freeskiing history.
- Blog post
- 4 weeks ago
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Postcards from Fantasy Camp Postcards from Fantasy Camp
- From: TetonGravityResearch
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Description:Words by Dana FlahrPhotos by Dutch SimpsonCamp life is a multi-dimensional reality—a temporary town established to facilitate exploration in unfamiliar territory. And all the while snowskate course maintenance and games of beer spear escalate.You see, when we got here, we were greeted with high fives and the pure excitement that you love to feel after your very best ski sessions with your best ski buds. Then we watched them fly off the frozen lake and we moved into their tents. I also remember hearing a “This is the coolest thing we've ever done. Later!”So now we are posted up in paradise, skiing lines we've never skied before—on mountains none of us have ever seen before. Without a cloud in the sky like we've never dreamed before. Here we are—Fantasy Camp. Time to put on the boots.
The Northern Lights glow over Fantasy Camp.
Our Fantasy Camp canvas wall tents were custom built by snowtrekertents.comThese sleeper tents are the perfect place to crash after a long day.
The bird waits patiently in the front yard.
The Neacola Mountains are as good as they look.
The crew loads up for another line.
A quick glimpse of the Neacola's topography can quickly stir the imagination.
Ian MacIntosh is ready to charge.
Sage, Marc, and Angel gear up for take off.
Angel scopes out lines in every direction.
The Neacola Mountains offer no shortage of zones to explore.
Camp Cook Hailey frys up some tasty Tender Belly from Dash Longe and the folks at www.tenderbelly.com - Blog post
- 4 weeks ago
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Last Chance for Aspen Last Chance for Aspen
- From: TetonGravityResearch
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Description:
The snow continues to fall in Aspen. If you're still looking to make some turns, Aspen Highlands is rolling out a bonus weekend on April 27th and 28th. If this recent edit is any indication, it should be good.
- Blog post
- 4 weeks ago
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