Four sleds, one large, unexplored zone. In April of last year, we were granted sled access into some areas we had never been before. Working with Eric Jackson and Jake Blauvelt feels like high school, as that’s when we all started to work and shoot together, ten years ago. Except now everyone is more focused, charges that much harder, is way better at ruthless shit talking and pranks are at an all-time high. I wouldn’t trade weeks like these for anything. Doing full recon missions into new zones has always been the addicting part for me.
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words and photos: Cole Barash
Eric and Jake. I had this vision in my mind when I was out there and I knew exactly the outcome I wanted. They both live for the mountains, specifically the recon, the unknown and pushing nothing but themselves — always as best in tune with Mother Nature as possible — always observing and searching.
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[aesop_quote type=”block” align=”center” quote=”Blauvelt. Isolated goods.”]
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This feature was kind of mind-blowing to me. It’s these features in the mountains that humble you when out there. Bubba bombed it from high and hipped into this little method, which was probably fun as all hell. Bub is always down to shred and tries to make almost anything work, which is why I love shooting with the kid.
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Young Blauvelt and a faceless method. Uncle T would have been proud I think.
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Young Walden (Blauvelt) tweaking tail like it should be.
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I have seen Jake ride into things since we were 12 years old at Bolton Valley together. This feature was gnarly and he really impressed me, as he rode into it fast and blindsided, then proceeded to stick a really good line. This is the kind of riding that I think will forever be underrated, but is so damn good. You have to be nothing but on point, focused and confident in these situations — or so I imagine.
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[aesop_quote type=”block” align=”center” quote=”People ask me, “Do you miss shooting snowboarding?” I actually don’t really miss shooting the action much at all to be honest — it’s the full mission part I miss. The exploring, the surveying , the unknown zones — you were together as a crew to bring back the goods through the cold, long, amazing or shit days — it’s all part of it. Bubba posting up in front of a pretty incredible face.”]
