2015 is a year of changes for me.  This coming season I’ll be riding for Diamondback Bikes with the sole goal of getting lost in woodwork around the Globe.  Go in prepared, come out the other side with full body function and fistful of print worthy words.  What do they say? … New experiences in uncomfortable places, make the best memories.  Well, than cheers to Discomfort.  I look forward to the tango.

Alright getting a little off topic here.  Let’s get things back on track.   With change comes decisions, and the one I had to make this year was not an easy one.  The people at Norco have become good friends, and its been an absolutely amazing company to ride for, but in the end I had to made a decision based on creative ambitions and future career path.  When Diamondback presented the opportunity and motivation to turn ideas into reality, I couldn’t say no.  The past few seasons have focused heavily on editorial assignments, which in-turn lead to some incredible experiences, but I felt that I needed to level things off. Balance the program, and substantially increase the number of film projects.  I spent the off-season crafting a small number of projects under the guidelines of Quality over Quantity, Less is More… High quality, focused pieces, that could be universal adaptable.  A little to deep sounding I’m sure but I have never been more motivated.   2015 is about expanding the skill set both off the bike (film, photography, writing…) and on.  Versatility and Creativity are a hell of a combo, and if I can find a way to mould the two together and motivate people, than I’ll be a happy guy.  So here’s to a new partnership and one hell of a Season!

The fine folks at Diamondback took the traditional athlete announcement format and turned it upside-down…

The Crieghton Inn.  To me this is the definition of anonymous character.  I have passed this wooden relic on countless occasions, yet I know very little about it.  That being said, as it begins it’s slow slide into the inevitable, true grit comes to light.

Built in the 1930’s, The Stagger Inn was originally constructed  as a mid-mountain staging point for enthusiasts looking access the fresh snow in the Granite, Grey, and Old Glory Basins.  80 years ago the original lads toured from town, and more or less had the mountain to themselves.  Many a memory trapped in these walls.

The past week I have spent the nights sliding through the woods tracking down these characters.  Needless to say it’s been awesome, and cold, but more fun than frozen. On another note,  this whole night photography keeps things interesting.  Frozen fingers, cowboy’d filters from goggles, weird stalking sounds coming from the woods that could realistically only have been one thing… Veloci-Snow Raptor, naturally.  Tonight’s another headlamp lit excursion.

Red Mountain has been my winter stomping grounds since I was a kid, no actually before that, before that.  The mountain was my glorified baby-sitter as a kid.  Seven years old, dropped at 8, picked up at 3… post diaper freedom at it’s finest.  Weather has been bogus for the better part of a week so I figured I start a project.  If RED has one thing, it’s character.  The next two questions… How do you show it? and Where do you start? I settled on the bottom up approach.  Begin with the roots and work upward.  Before RED was slangin passes and turning lifts, its framework was built on relics of the backwoods… Cabins.

The YODEL INN

Built in 1944, this place is strewn with prayer flags, aging black and white photos, a kitchen of cast-iron, custom platted wood-stoves, and Wake, the cabin’s 65 year old storyteller (main resident).  I have run into Wake on numerous pre-season tours, and on a few occasions I have been invited in for a cup of tea.  Wake calls the Yodel home 4-5 days a week, tours during the day, and hangs out with his roommate during the evenings.  Who’s the Roommate? A 15 year old pooch who’s laid more fresh tracks than most locals.  If you find yourself skiing past the cabin give them a wave, and if invited in for tea, be sure to ask about Wake’s Himalayan Adventures.  The guy represents what character is.

Having a little local knowledge has its advantages.  Traharn and I were making our way back to Rossland from Revelstoke and if you’ve ever heard of “Halfway Hotsprings” you know it’d be rude to drive by without taking a dip.  Located 11km up a forest service road, “halfway” between Nakusp and the Galena Bay Ferry, is a network of natural hotsprings.  Rustically constructed over the years, there is no better way to escape the falling mercury.  If you are in the area it’s a detour well worthwhile.  Can’t go wrong!