WEEKEND BUMP: Kickstarting A Trip To India - Slowing Time in the Himalayas

Kickstarter projects are a dime a dozen these days and as crowd-funding becomes more popular it has become less unusual to see snowboard-related campaigns popping up. But when I saw this one, with the dreamy title "Slowing Time In The Himalayas" I just had to click and get more info. What I found were two buddies who are based out of Steven's Pass, Washington who have a wicked attitude and a dream to match.

Jordan Ingmire and Ian Wood are long-time friends and collaborators who love to shoot snowboarding, travel the world and if I had to guess, sit back with a nice dube while they discuss their next adventure or one-off banger photo. As I got to know them over the past few days via email, the impression I've been left with is not only do they seem like good guys but clearly have the proper motivations in place for this trip, and I thought I would give a shot to see if I could help them reach their goal of $5000 to cover some expenses for the trip. By the sounds of it, if they make it, they are in for the trip of a lifetime. Not only travelling and shredding in India and the infamous Himalaya Mountain Range, but also through their hook-ups at the local heli operation, which is sure to get them into some incredible locations both for shredding and for, well, living.

So check out what they have to say below. Look some banger photos of Jordan's. Watch the Kickstarter video (also below). And then do the right thing and help some fellow shreds fulfill their dream. Yes, I know how broke you are. Me too. But toss them a few bucks, or at the very least share this story and/or the Kickstarter page, because it will add up and help.

Ian says: Taking a nap while site seeing in Santiago. It was some of the best people watching I have ever had. The sun was banging and it was an amazing nap from what I can remember. I remember this guy walking by and putting Jordan's shoe on the chair cuz it was down on the ground. They definintely were not into us looking like bums! Their cities are on another level. Santiago is so nice. Some of the most amazing street performers you will ever see

33MAG: How do you guys know each other? Have you done projects or trips like this in the past?

Jordan: Ian and I met while working at a small ski resort in Washington State called Stevens Pass, where we still reside today a decade later. At the time he worked in the rental department and I was a Lift Operator. We have grown together over the last decade and since collaborated on a handful of successful projects and photo concepts. Most recently we spent the summer of 2012 traveling and shooting snowboarding in Chile and Argentina.

Ian: We share a deep love for the mountains and have been shooting photos together for years. We had our first photo published together 3 years ago. We did do a very similar trip this past summer when we went to Chile. I have been going for 3 summers now and Jordan came down this past season. It was amazing. We figure we did the 2nd tallest mountain range together so we might as well go to the tallest this season.

How did the idea of this trip to India come about?

Jordan: A Chilean friend made the trip to India last winter and shared his experience with us. I was really intrigued and dreamed of making the journey one day. Later while traveling in South America I found myself in Ushuaia the 'Southern most city in the world.' While at a hostel I met a nice girl who spends her winters working for a Heli Op in the same town of Gulmarg India! We got to chatting and worked out a plan to get some heli time this coming season if I could make it to the Himalayas. After that encounter I decided the trip was meant to be.

Ian: The India trip is really just meant to be. I have been reading about India for so long, it has been my biggest dream. I never thought it would be snowboarding, just wanted to see the people and culture. Jordan came up with it being a snow trip while we were in chile. I was all in. He met a lady that works at a heli op down there. We just need to get there. I feel like we are both in a place that is just absolutely perfect for this trip. All i can say is its one of those things that you just know is ment to be. Our friend Audisio went last year and made an amazing video from his trip. We knew we had to do it.

Ian by Jordan. Badass!

What are your true goals for this project? What do you hope to get out of it? Is it just about the shred and the photo/articles or is there more to it than that?

Jordan: My biggest goal right now is to stay true to myself, learn as much as possible, experience as much as possible, work as hard as I can, make as many friends as I can and share as much as possible. This trip seemed to fit the criteria and makes sense for me on a personal and professional level.

I have no expectations for the trip. I keep a very open mind and am happy to experience and learn from whatever situations are presented along the way. What I hope to get out of the trip is a broader perspective and deeper understanding then what is taught and accepted in US culture. Ultimately we will snowboard in some of the highest mountains in the world and make amazing photographs. We hope to have a story featured in our favorite US mag 'Frequency The Snowboarders Journal' and produce a strong portfolio of shots for a gallery showing etc. Snowboarding and photography are major parts of my life but they are only tools in the end, tools that have helped me open a door to a life of happiness.

Ian: The biggest goal is to grow as an individual. Become a better person. Take amazing photos. Capture moments that we will never forget. Get creative on new terrain. As far as tangible goals, take the most amazing photos we ever have. One thing I have learned from my experiences with Jordan is that when we put our heads together we create some amazing things. Last time we really focused on a picture it became his most sold photo to this day. We trust in ourselves and trust in our guts. Its definitely not just about the shred. Its so personal it is hard to put on paper. It will be the most amazing trip to date in my life. I feel it. I have been studying teaching from india since i was 21. Been dreaming of it. Now that it has mixed with my biggest passion in my life it couldnt be more powerful.

Ian by Jordan

How did the idea of a Kickstarter campaign come about?

Jordan: I had heard about and researched Kickstarter quite a bit and I really liked the concept. I love art, artists and creative projects / ideas so naturally I was really inspired by the website. I instantly made a personal goal to successfully fund a project through Kickstarter.

Ian: Kickstarter just came about from seeing what projects were gettting funded. We knew we could do something a lot cooler than some of the things getting the go ahead. We will see what happens. We just have so much passion and want to share it with as many people as we can. Jordan has a phrase he wants to get tattood on his knuckles- DONT WAIT. I think that sums it up

Ian Says: Jordan left, Sebastian Torrijos Knoop middle, me right. In chile. At this bar called the flea. Having a drink called earth quake. Two of these puts you on your arse!!! We had some great guides down there. It was a mix of wine and all sorts of other booze.

What happens if you don't reach your goal? Is the trip off?

Jordan: If we don't reach our goal we may have to postpone the trip.

Ian: Not sure what is going to happen if we don't get it funded. Maybe so much passion will build and connections will be made that we will still be able to do it? Who knows. It is an adventure in itself trying to get the funding. We can't really loose. It is an awesome life experience working for such a goal.