Feb. 20, 2009 By Gabe Taylor

 

Everyday when I leave the house to go film the lady says, “be careful”. I always return with an “Of course”, but being a professional snowboarder requires one to have an extremely accurate balance between being careful and getting the shot. I mean really, what’s careful about spinning off a 60 ft. cliff with rocks all over the landing? Nothing, but with experience we can negotiate things and usually make a good call as to whether or not something is doable.

Last week our crew made a bad decision, one that could have caused serious problems had things gone a touch differently. We built a jump in the Sierra backcountry, one that had been built numerous times and one that has been hit a bunch this year. When sessioning a jump significant pressure is put on that landing and it is more or less like a bomb being dropped on the slope. If the slope doesn’t slide after a few storm cycles and constant “bombing” then it usually means things are on the safer side. After digging a pit above the landing we were about to hit a layer of faceted snow was found about two feet down. This was consistent with a new layer failure that was witnessed the day before. Although the ground/snow interface was fairly rotted out, it did not appear to be a definitive slide layer.

When snowboarding in the backcountry you have to evaluate things similarily to taking in a new lover. Most importantly, what does the past look like? Well, on Nov. 1^st a few inches of wet snow fell, absorbed some rain and then froze beneath another foot of snow on Nov. 9^th. This formed a layer of ice very near the bottom of the snow pack and in a number of areas created an ice lense on rocks. Jump ahead to late February where the snow depth is 7-15 ft. and you have a significant load on a very sketchy layer down low. Basically that chick you’re grinding on the dance floor is carrying AIDS, Herpes and Gonorrhea, and you’re 5 beers deep looking for some fun.

It’s easy to say “I’ll be careful” when you’re sitting at home far away from the action. But when you’re in the heat of the moment it can be hard to make the right decision. When the sun is out, the cameras are ready and the snow is good it’s hard to say no. We all have backed down from a situation but it’s one of the hardest decisions in snowboarding. You can study snow science all you want, but the hardest part is the decision making when the pressure is on. Just like the battles of conscience when the hour is late at the bar, the conscience is in a state of battle in the backcountry.

We started our session around midday and things got heated with Clint Alan stomping a cab 7 first try. Peter and myself followed with limited success and the order wound back to Clint. Clint got stuck on a cab 9 and landed 90 degrees short. After getting up and out of the way Peter hit the jump again, sketched on the landing and the whole thing went. I was up top and side slipped the in run behind Peter. I could here everyone yelling and I was thinking Peter must have done something sick. As I stood on the takeoff Peter sped into my view followed by an enormous pile of snow that started 30 ft. below me. Luckily Peter was unharmed and was unaware that the entire slope was chasing him down the mountain. After everyone checked in on the radios I assessed the crown of the avalanche and measured it with my probe poll. The avalanche measured 7-9 feet deep and 300 ft. wide. The slide could have taken out a 767 jumbo jet so it goes without saying that it was a potentially fatal slide.

The learning curve on something like this is not slow, BAM! Wise up! In hindsight we obviously could have made better decisions but what if we are in a similar situation tomorrow? Will we make the right choice? I hope so and it’s something that will be with us forever. Think about it next time you’re out there.

Thanks Gabe for the write up. Let everyone be aware of the dangers that lurk around the marvelous adventures of snowboarding.

 

Vote for our Local Team Rider Greg Bretz as the next Ball Park Alpha Dawg. http://www.allisports.com/ballparkalphadawgs He is an up and coming superstar that is traveling all over the world snowboarding and competing in Half Pipe contests. Congrats to Gregory for everything he has been able to accomplish to get this nomination.

It is snowing again here in Mammoth, and like I have said many times before, I don’t think we are going to have great weather until March. All this snow is making for excellent powder conditions as well as setting us up for an amazing spring and extending our shred time well into the summer months.

This weekend is going to be Slopestyle madness with three slopestyle comps over the weekend. All three events are USASA events and everyone needs to register in the morning prior to the event. Saturday there will be two events and registration will be early 8-9am. The first contest will start at 10am. Sunday the slopestyle will be at June Mountain. Registration for that event will be held at the Chalet located at the top of J1.

Greg Weaver has put up another episode of Mammoth Theatre. It is an interview with a local rider Shayne Pospisil. Check it out! http://www.snowboard-revolution.com/videos/Mammoth-Theatre-Episode%3A-8-Day-with-Shayne-Pospisil.html

Congratulations Mason Aguirre! Winning the Super Pipe competition at the Final stop on the Dew Tour! It was great to watch him compete against some of the best snowboarders out there. Scotty Lago,  Shaun White, and Steve Fisher were  just some of the guys going up against Mason. Mason put together two amazing runs and blew away the rest of the competitors. Another local team rider representing Mammoth Mountain was Greg Bretz. He earned fifth in qualifiers but then during the finals had trouble landing on his heel side wall in both runs. He has shaken himself up a bit after his two wrist and thumb injuries but Gregory is a strong and talented young man that will be doing great things in the near future.

Yesterday was a great success at the Nikita Chickita. Thanks to everyone for all of their help. Congrats to all the female competitors and especially the girls who threw it down. Best Trick out the day was definitely the switch back one done by Megan “Wild side” Whiteside. Thanks to all the sponsors that supported the event, this does great things for women’s snowboarding. Go to nikitaclothing.com for all the results from the day.

Due to weather, the USASA Event that was to be held today is now postponed until next Saturday. We will be holding both Slopestyle events on Saturday, so we are going to get things started early. Registration will be from 8-9am and the first of four runs will be starting promptly at 10am. It will be a fun filled day of jumps and jibs and competition.

Congrats Tyler Flanagan! He qualified third out of twenty three at the Dew tour Slopestyle competition. He is competing right now in the finals. Good Luck Tyler, I know you will do great!

Mammoth is gearing up for two Slopestyle competitions this weekend. Tomorrow we have the Nikita Chickita which is an all girl event that is going to take place in South Park! Everyone should come out and watch these girls lay it down. Sunday will be the first USASA slopestyle event held this year at Mammoth. Due to weather the previous ones were rescheduled. This event is open to all ages so anyone can compete. All you have to do is be a USASA member.

It feels like it has been so long since I have riding in the parks! The fresh powder has completely consumed me for the last week. I just had four epic days of free riding and now strapping into my 152 feels like a skateboard. I hope everyone was able to have just as much fun as I did. I think I am ready to try out the Super Duper pipe since it is in prime condition. I have to get some airs in now before the contests start and the snow starts flying again.

After countless hours of hard work, the Super Duper Pipe is now open! It is not the best day for boosting out of the half pipe because it has not stopped snowing, but we do have a 22’ pipe up and able to be ridden. The snow does not seem to want to stop coming so the future is looking quite white with more pristine powder and plenty of huge slashes to be thrown. The wind does not seem to be blowing very strongly today so tomorrow morning will be wonderful. What a great way to spend Presidents weekend! Hope everyone got to enjoy the fresh snow. And plan another trip up because we are expecting even more snow.

The snow has not let up in the last 24 hours. So far we have received 15″ of new snowfall. We are still diligently working to get the Super Duper Pipe open by Sunday, given all the new snow that keeps accumulating. Since it has been snowing so much, it has been impossible to make any new additions to the parks. The Adventure zones, on the other hand, are so fun during powder days, so go experience Twilight Zone, Woolly’s Woods, Alligator Pit or Voodoo Chute. Wind your way around in the trees and enjoy the little jibs and natural jumps that these zones have to offer.
Next weekend will start the third and final stop of the Dew Tour at Northstar at Tahoe. There will be many local athletes competing in this contest so if you can make it to Tahoe please go cheer them on.
On a more local note, next Saturday, for the second year in a row, Mammoth Mountain will be hosting the Nikita Chickita. This is an all female competition that is geared towards promoting amateur girls snowboarding. Any girl that wants to show her stuff, can sign up for this event.
On Sunday we will be hosting a USASA slopestyle competition in South Park.

Nikita Info

The sun has broken through a little the last couple of days, but has since gone away again. It is dumping snow here at Main Lodge. That means the snow is going to be great for the holiday weekend. The road conditions all the way up Highway 395 are in excellent condition. Just remember to come in a 4wd vehicle or carry chains cause once you get to Mammoth you are going to need them. But if you don’t want to carry them up here there are always guys on the side of the road that are trained and experienced chainers. You have the time off already, so come take advantage of the Stimulus packages that Mammoth Mountain is offering.
There are no events scheduled for the weekend so come out and practice. The Super Duper Pipe is going to be complete on Sunday. This is one of only a handful in North America that actually has 22′ walls. Mammoth has the more snow than one could possibly need to have a fantastic day.
Tomorrow is Valentine’s Day, so treat your sweetheart to a winter wonderland vacation full of powder turns, hot chocolate, and cuddling next a cozy fireplace.

Well it is really hard to hit 85ft jumps when there is two feet of fresh powder on the landings and the takeoffs. The snow has come and is not showing signs of leaving. It looks as though February is going to be filled with snow. Get out there and make some slashes. Dress warm, it is a bit cold out.
Congrats to all the winners of yesterdays USASA Boardercross race! Even through the wind and the snow these athletes stayed competitive! They might not have been as fast as they wanted to be but all in all the race went fabulous.

It has been snowing for almost 24 hours and the snow is so light and fabulous. It is suppose to continue until Sunday so another blue bird Monday is in store for us. It seems as though as soon as the crew gets everything set up and build up the snow begins to fly again. Pete Colombo rebuilt the Showtime jump at the bottom of Main Park on Monday night. It is now 70ft to the knuckle. No one will be hitting it today due to the snow, but I have seen people sending it the last couple days. Day one of this jump, one of our local riders, Alex Dawoud, was the first one that I saw hit it cleanly. He started first run with a straight air to check it out then the next run, it was on. He showed us his go to, backside five, and went huge! He always puts on a show and demonstrates how things should be done. His little brother Jared normally is right there too, but he had a bit of an accident the other day. He should be out on the snow soon, as though no time has gone by. Jared get better quick buddy, I miss watching you!
The event that is scheduled for this weekend is on for now. It just depends on how much snow comes down from the skies. Boardercross will not be much of a race, if it is run in two feet of powder. Check back and I will let you know if we are going to still hold the event.
Everyone that is a Shiny Toy Gun fan should buy tickets quickly for their show Tuesday night at Canyon Lodge! It is going to be a fantastic show. I can wait!
More, later… Enjoy the snow!!!!!