…field-tested & alaskan approved (at least that’s what their stickers say).

OK, 2 weeks in “The Mecca” and this is what I came back with. 73 photos here and not many “action” shots but hopefully a couple that might wake you up and make ya wanna poop.

Day 1 at our new camp, yay!

and it snowed out

Day 2 we rode up The Worthington Glacier to Acopolco

and climbed

to some steeps

then we brapped around a little

and returned back to camp

Then it was out to The Books!

where we turned a couple of pages

and I feel a little smarter already (we backed off the final page of this book because the wind was starting to howl)

but Oh My God!

The Books from afar

The next day was a mellow one on Crudbusters

where I got a good look at the Iguana Backs

…is this sh*t for real?!

Then… a down day around town sight seeing

and the building of our new home

Still yucky out, but into the backyard and onto Stairway anyways

Then the sun came back out and it was off to The Iguana Backs

yes, they’re for real

fun in the sun

Time to take a short break from hiking and do a little heli-ing with Valdez Heli-ski Guides! (when in Rome…)

Back to real life… of being a ski bum that is

and now that I feel a little practiced up, it’s onto the big boys! Starting with

wait for it

The Tusk!

our first obstacle

and we’re off!

To the top where Dean Cummings rope still hangs rotting on the rocks

and it’s just a little steep

or is it just me?

Damage done (The Tusk took one knee out of six)

F-n STOKED!!!

The Tusk, 1900′ N facing ramp of 50-60 degree vertical pitch

Then back to camp to dry out some gear

and off to DIMOND!!! (4000′ at 55 degrees W facing fear of God)

where we met our first obstacle

and Eric’s foot found free air and space under the bridge 😯

but he pushed on

and mission aborted/crevasse abstraction narrowly averted

YES!

Time to climb!

and climb

Do Not look back, Never Look Back!

until you’re over the top (3.5 hours of booting straight up later!)

Can you see the helicopter? It’s just coming off of the peak of Stairway (No, you can’t. It’s less than a speck from this far up!)

Just a little giddy at this point

and definetly time to cheese it up

Oh Sh*t, this is it/last chance

Dropping

and Stoked to be at the bottom and ALIVE!!!

our lines over the Bergschrund

our hike up in blue and ride down in red

Back to my friends base camp for a celebratory beer

and then time to roll for sunset

and party at Rendezvous Lodge (every bar should have a lit up Heli out the back window)

THEN… then it was time to cheat my way up to the next monster

METEORITE! 3000′ W facing 54-57degrees of goodness

Looking down

or trying to anyways

and there goes our support

that’s Alaska Snowboard Guides. They are a brand new Heli operation this season and if you ever get a chance to go Heli-riding in Valdez, Alaska… Go with them!

You too might get this

Well, that plum wore me out. And, my igloo has been devestated by the sun and turned into “The Deathstar”

So I guess it’s time to burn it down

so sad

One last look at those things of beauty

and I’m out