Go Splitboarding………you might like it!

Being able to share my Splitboarding passion has been the most satisfying journey that I've seen as it reflects on other peoples lives.My passion for it hasn't been about bragging rights. It's always been about sharing something. I love to see smiles on others faces.Remembering the joy it brought me and the stories I've gotten to tell. From saving a friend from a pit of doom to cold unplanned overnight camp-outs.This story is about someone as dedicated as myself and who has shared my passion with me from the start.

4 Days Of Splitboarding With Brooks

  I was honored when Brooks told me he wanted to spend a week with me in the backcountry.His only snowboarding this year was gonna be some west coast splitboarding
for 4 days. Watching the weather in anticipation of his arrival left me in wonder. After a storm had passed and in what timing, he landed with 100cm of fresh and blue skies in the forecast. Instantly we started packing food, gear and the necessities.Reaching the trail head around night fall we got looks from fellow tourers as obnoxious rap music pounded from the vehicle and massive amounts of supplies got unloaded. Struggling with headlamp issues, a hour and a half walk turned into a four hour slog with a helping of 80 pounds of food to carry.Reaching the cabin splitboarding was the last thing we wanted to do. We unpacked and made new friends for the night. My alarm went off and breakfast was served. We got into split mode for our first of 13 ascensions of our 4 day trip. Reaching the alpine with the weather was a overcast flurries.

The fresh snow that was unable to settle to settle quick enough before Brooks' anticipation overcame his inner shred. I could tell his soul needed those deep turns as his smile was my reward. After tuckering ourselves out with turns for days we returned to the cabin to a well known friend and 3 mountain struck newbies. To me this was more people to generate smiles on. Our first descent in the morning was overcast but calm.The group followed me as I knew were the good turns were. As I finished my run I was able to get greeted by 5 sets of high fives, smiles and thank you's. They all came down one after one. All day everyone couldn't wipe their smile off their face, even my own. The Next morning I thought of how else I could bring joy as I pondered our future turns.The sun was on my side and everyone got to enjoy more glorious turns followed by more smiles. As the day came to a close saying bye to my splitboarding friends felt great knowing I helped them evolve.

As Brooks and I took our descent back to the cabin we had an unexpected visit from a experienced ski tourer. We talked and both had a plan of rappelling into a chute we scoped. As we woke in the morning accompanied by blue skies approaching out first run was glorious.The snow had settled and the steep pitch helped the turns be ones of glory. We were meeting with a local photographer as we finished our run.He was coming to shoot the chute.

This was the end of our splitboarding trip.

The one thing I will remember forever is the feeling I got when I walked on pavement.It felt so foreign as snow was our home for days. This trip reminded me of how blessed and lucky I am. I'm lucky to have a passion, a reason to live. Losing my passion as well as my identity became too real as I felt growing up was necessary. What's the point of living not doing what you love, with who you love? To anyone with a passion put 100% into evolving it. That night as we got back to Whistler we had one thing in mind, Celebration. Tequila flowed and more friends smiled as Brooks' presence embodied others. This was goodbye for now as the night ended. 

Touring buddies have this internal connection farther then a friend.You trust your life with that person, there aren't too many relationship in this world like that – hold onto them. Luck was on my side that night but luck really had nothing to do with it, I blame it on passionately loving splitboarding. 
 

If you liked this read Dispatches from the Duffey