It all starts with awareness. When you begin to understand how certain actions affect the world around us, we can change. Small decisions can go a long way, as the Middle/Path Project crew realizes on a snowboarding expedition to the Montana backcountry. As long as we continue to travel and ride snowboards, our effect on the environment will continue. But it’s about minimizing it wherever we can. Everyone starts somewhere. Anything we can do to preserve the insane riding outside of Cooke City, Montana is definitely worth it.

Watch also: Snowboarding reality in the PNW: The Middle/Path Project episode 1

From Sean Fithian:

Midway through winter, our season was gone in the PNW. With a strong determination to stay off Jet planes, we searched for the nearest location with good snow. The forecast in Montana was looking good and we set our sights on big sky country, a place with infinite mountain access by snowmobiles and man power. By keeping track of the fuel we consumed on our sleds, We would have more of an idea of how we were affecting the world around us. One of the biggest challenges we have seen is the outlook on sustainable thinking. I drive a car, I create trash, I consume endless products, therefore I can’t care about the planet and how my actions are effecting the world around me. What we were beginning to see on this trip was that the smallest of actions have huge results. Just being aware of the fuel quantity consumed is a major step. Doubling on a sled, car pooling, or choosing not to fly. These positive actions are the inception to create a sustainable relationship with the planet. We had an amazing crew of friends come together in Montana and we finally got some good snow under our feet. Finding a balance between extremes, we were walking The Middle Path.

Riders
Jonny Sischo, Ryan Tucker, Tyler Morton, Travis Claughton, Sean Fithian, Teddy Schein, Ian Wood, Kurt Jenson, Matt Wainhouse

Film/Edit
Sean Fithian

Additional Film
Tyler Morton

Music
“Man On Fire”
by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros
“Sleepwalker”
by Moon Duo
“Drunk In Love”
by Beyonce

Score
Peter Muller