a drag race down the face of the opposite side of the pass , through the river |
tum , the loose powder on the top would slough down , causing their sled to roll , |
Rarely was anybody standing still , but we were able to have everybody shut down briefly for a group shot . |
|||
bottom and up the first short climb , |
or the ice underneath would make them |
||||
leading to a bench surrounded on three |
start to wash out , and no one wanted to |
||||
sides by unique mountain features . |
be the next stuck guy . No one . |
||||
The three-headed photo / video team |
As Shad freed himself , it was like a |
||||
of Stephen Clark , Phil Yribar and myself |
pinball game when you get the multi-ball |
||||
spent some time getting our sleds a little |
bonus . A steady barrage of sleds raced to |
||||
higher to the best shooting location for |
the top , or at least made valiant efforts . |
||||
photography , while the herd of snowmo- |
Once the hillside was sufficiently |
||||
biles circled at the bottom like a feeding |
tracked , the riders assembled in an oval |
||||
frenzy of unusually colored reef sharks , |
around Sid Huntsman , captain of the |
||||
but with the noise of a hive of bees . |
Klim Backcountry Team at the time . It |
||||
Several moments later , the three cam- |
was break time , and a convenience-store |
||||
eramen nodded to each other , and Clark |
feast ensued – complete with Hot Pock- |
||||
radioed the all-clear . The athletes fell into |
ets , burritos , meat balls and some un- |
||||
a line , each waiting their turn . |
known , indescribable health-food that |
||||
Shad Simmons happened to be first . |
resembled turkey burger brought by |
||||
The snow was deceiving . A foot of fresh |
Keith Curtis . |
||||
powder laid on top of an unbreakable |
With bellies full and thus less motiva- |
||||
sheet of ice . Shad ’ s line seemed nearly |
tion , we caravanned to the “ next spot .” |
||||
impossible , given the snow conditions . He |
I ’ m often asked to reveal my riding spots , |
||||
aimed his Arctic Cat at a short chute , with |
or those of the pros I get to accompany . |
that you do , but they ’ re constantly ex- |
ready . I ’ m used to a long , drawn-out , |
||
no turn out . A few feet or maybe even |
To be honest , it ’ s one of the things that |
ploring . In fact , more often than not , even |
social loading process , but not this time . |
||
inches from the top he started slipping , |
sets that level of rider apart from the |
in a zone I ’ ve visited dozens of times , |
Keith Curtis was hungry , and a hungry |
||
losing all momentum and eventually slid- |
average riders I see . Average riders are |
I find that nearly everyone is lost , and |
Keith Curtis is no fun at all . And so , even |
||
ing at least 30 feet backwards before the |
looking for a routine of commonalities ; |
we ’ re in a completely new set of features . |
though we all joked about it while hastily |
||
sloughing snow stopped his sled . |
they like to visit the same riding loca- |
For these guys , it ’ s the new challenge |
undressing and loading sleds , we all took |
||
Several riders attempted to reach |
tions , and usually travel to the same |
that ’ s the adventure , not beating some- |
care to be as quick as possible . |
||
Shad , in hopes of helping the recovery , |
locations within each zone : That ’ s not the |
thing that ’ s already been conquered . |
However , I was hiding a secret . Having |
||
but none could manage to get their sleds |
case with most of these guys . |
Nearly dark , we finally reach the trail- |
been to Star Valley not much more than |
||
stopped . As soon as they ’ d lose momen- |
The pros are going to the same region |
ers . Loading took less time than getting |
a week prior , I knew we were in gap- |