The film showcases the evolution of extreme big mountain skiing from the first decent of Grand Teton (which is in the National Park that carries the same name) by Bill Briggs to the present day adventurers like Ingrid Backstrom or Seth Morrison. The Briggs decent was one that stuck with me as there are no real areas to make a run as there are jagged rocks and 100- foot cliffs in every direction. Add to this the fact that no one had ever dreamed of skiing a mountain like it. But what impressed me the most was that Briggs stated that this was the best day of his life and at the age of 76 stated that it was the most amazing accomplishment he ever had.
Those are the words of a person who lived their life to the utmost in their personal passion. He will remember that day till the day dies and will never once regret taking that risk that others simply thought was crazy and unthinkable. A couple days after the run people had a hard time believing he had skied the mountain. A friend of Briggs and the editor of the paper (I believe) chartered a plane to fly over the mountain. This is what they saw; yes those are his tracks
Now just two days ago, in an attempt to get even more pumped for the mountain bike season, we sat down to watch two films that I have been waiting a great deal of time to see; Seasons and Roam. Both films have been created from top pro mountain bikers and as a group for the film they are known as; The Collective.
One thing that I have not discussed a great deal on my blog was my road trip with three others to Moab Utah. This area is truly the mountain bikers mecca. While watching Roam two of the riders began discussing how amazing the biking is in Moab and how it is the "perfect place to take a road trip to."
This was exactly the idea that a few of us had and in 2005 we did it. We bought all the food, first aid kits, and extra tires we needed. We then piled four bikes, all our gear and food oh and four people into a Hyundai Elantra and made the 36 hour drive traversing the U.S. from Ottawa.
After all the time was considered for driving we had exactly 5 days of riding while in Moab. Every morning was the same routine, out of bed at 6 or 7am eat and get the car ready. We biked for an average of 4 to 5 hours every morning only to stop and rejuvenate with lunch. By 1130 every morning it was already 98’F so the stop was good. Most afternoon’s were filled with a few hours of hiking in the desert which always ended with a trip to the a hidden area mainly frequented by locals. It was a water hole that was feed from the cold waters from the snowy La Sal mountains only about 50 miles to the west. It was a great area to relax cool off and do some great cliff jumping into the creek.
The city alone is worth the visit. There is a great brew pub and a all you can eat pizza joint where you can order a pizza with all the toppings you want on it and once it is made it stays at the counter they call out your name and instead of taking the whole pie you take a slice or two and leave the rest of the large pizza there for others to try your favorite. It was great to try what others had as their staple pizza. And after a full day of ridding hard and hiking , we definitely deserved beer and pizza, there is nothing better ten being rewarded after a hard day of fun.
We have always planned on going back and with my 2010 hiking/biking/road trip consisting of BC, California, Nevada and Baja, we may have to take the time to swing by Utah before we head back. Imagine one day biking and/or hiking in BC, then driving to hike a 14ner(one of the 14000foot peaks in California) seeing the coast and some of the major cities along the way to do one of the 7,000 footers in southern Baja. Then back up North to Nevada or Moab for more of the same and maybe even some gambling in Vegas. Drop the rental off and fly home for some rest.
Never limit yourself and do the things you want to do while you can. And how can you not be sure you are good at something or will enjoy something if you never give it a shot. We all need to drive ourselves to do whatever it is we wish to do, that’s what living is; no regrets.
One thing that I have not discussed a great deal on my blog was my road trip with three others to Moab Utah. This area is truly the mountain bikers mecca. While watching Roam two of the riders began discussing how amazing the biking is in Moab and how it is the "perfect place to take a road trip to."
This was exactly the idea that a few of us had and in 2005 we did it. We bought all the food, first aid kits, and extra tires we needed. We then piled four bikes, all our gear and food oh and four people into a Hyundai Elantra and made the 36 hour drive traversing the U.S. from Ottawa.
After all the time was considered for driving we had exactly 5 days of riding while in Moab. Every morning was the same routine, out of bed at 6 or 7am eat and get the car ready. We biked for an average of 4 to 5 hours every morning only to stop and rejuvenate with lunch. By 1130 every morning it was already 98’F so the stop was good. Most afternoon’s were filled with a few hours of hiking in the desert which always ended with a trip to the a hidden area mainly frequented by locals. It was a water hole that was feed from the cold waters from the snowy La Sal mountains only about 50 miles to the west. It was a great area to relax cool off and do some great cliff jumping into the creek.
The city alone is worth the visit. There is a great brew pub and a all you can eat pizza joint where you can order a pizza with all the toppings you want on it and once it is made it stays at the counter they call out your name and instead of taking the whole pie you take a slice or two and leave the rest of the large pizza there for others to try your favorite. It was great to try what others had as their staple pizza. And after a full day of ridding hard and hiking , we definitely deserved beer and pizza, there is nothing better ten being rewarded after a hard day of fun.
We have always planned on going back and with my 2010 hiking/biking/road trip consisting of BC, California, Nevada and Baja, we may have to take the time to swing by Utah before we head back. Imagine one day biking and/or hiking in BC, then driving to hike a 14ner(one of the 14000foot peaks in California) seeing the coast and some of the major cities along the way to do one of the 7,000 footers in southern Baja. Then back up North to Nevada or Moab for more of the same and maybe even some gambling in Vegas. Drop the rental off and fly home for some rest.
Never limit yourself and do the things you want to do while you can. And how can you not be sure you are good at something or will enjoy something if you never give it a shot. We all need to drive ourselves to do whatever it is we wish to do, that’s what living is; no regrets.
1 comment:
I applaud your zeal!
I think my zeal wandered off a cliff edge recently.
Looking at the picture of the mountain, with the footprints in the snow brought home a palpable sense of fear.
What really drives us to do such things? Hats off sir for a thrilling post.
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