Snow
SNOW
II was a relatively late starter in the world of snow only discovering the mountains as a 17 year old. I was hooked. Instantly. From then on during the Australian winter I'd spend every second weekend in the snow living out of the back of my car, and alternate weekends in the surf. No sooner had I completed my electrician trade training I put down my tools to become a cleaner in Thredbo. I got two days off week and enough time to score one ride up the old rickety Crackenback chair at lunch time on work days, I was in heaven.
In those early years I was mesmerised by the crew who had done multiple snow seasons and embraced a world of 'back to back' winters. What a life!
I've now experienced over 60 winter seasons and discovered places that wide-eyed teenager could never dreamed of - both north and south of equator. It all started in the early 90's discovering resorts across Europe and North America. Then came some thrilling years putting first descents down huge mountain ranges across Alaska and Greenland. It's been 25 years since I first went to the "North Shore" of skiing and sampled Alaska's mighty Chugach range. It was just last year I revived the drive it takes to ski some of that humbling terrain. There were lines that even 15 years ago I thought I never wanted to revisit - but apparently I’ve not quite kicked the habit. And yes, in case you are wondering I still do it with at least 15kilos of camera gear in my backpack. For me I guess big waves and big mountains and sharing the stories and images of the inspiring people who ride them is an addiction I still haven’t kicked.
Some people call it extreme. I just feel incredibly fortunate to have been able to make it my life.