The Upside to Backsides- Whitewater, Nelson, BC

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Visiting Nelson for the first time is like returning home. The place accepts you with open arms and one can feel at ease. In the same way, returning to Nelson is much like visiting for the first time—the energy of the place hits you in an epiphany and the people are refreshingly laid back. For myself returning after five years to ski the place where I truly learnt to “ski the trees”, a lot has changed. The cult ski resort of Whitewater has expanded much to the initial chagrin of some locals, but you would be hard pressed to find someone adhering to that sentiment these days. Whitewater simply just got better.

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JR TED Prize- Awesome Art

During a short, unintentional hiatus from Ted Talks, I missed this. JR, a semi-anonymous French street artist, uses his camera to show the world its true face, by pasting photos of the human face across massive canvases. His work is truely amazing and he has a good sense of humor to boot. If you are a fan of the film "Exit Through the Gift Shop" you will love JR's work. Check out the video and go to www.insideouproject.net to help JR's wish come true. 

Aka Skidor- Kashmir Article

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If you are Swedish or read Swedish, check out the latest copy on the shelves of Aka Skidor, the Swedish ski magazine. The article is based on the Salomon Freeski TV. I was fortunate enough to do with photographer Blake Jorgenson, Chris Rubens and Tristan Knoertzer. We had an awesome trip exploring the new heli ski terrain with Gulmarg Heliski. 

I also called in to the Salomon studio last week and got a sneak peak of the Freeski TV episode we filmed. I think you will all be stoked so stay tuned. In the meantime, check out the trailer here.

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Pole to Pole Run Expedition

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I recently returned home from the USA where I joined the Pole to Pole Run expedition. As you might expect, it is a run from the North Pole to the South Pole and being undertaken by an Australian ultra marathon runner named Pat Farmer. He is running two marathons a day (85kms), everyday with no days off. You read correctly, no days off. And all of this to raise money and awareness for the International Red Cross.

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Greenhouse by Joost

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GREENHOUSE BY JOOST from The Design Files on Vimeo.

My father recently turned 60 (high-5 to the old man) and for his birthday my family back in Australia went out for dinner at the concept restaurant "Greenhouse by Joost" on Sydney Harbour. The building is completely recyclable, and all the waste is compostable. It is a really inspiring concept as you will see from the film.

From all reports, the food was really tastie also!

The Mast Brothers

I stumbled across this short film and it made my day. I have so much respect for anybody that chooses one thing and does it well. These guys make chocolate and approach every tangent the craft presents in a mindful and intensely artistic way. Along they way, they also make an adventure of it. Simply one of the best things I've seen in a long time. So very inspirational.

 

An Essay on the Origins of the Kashmir Conflict

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The modern day interpretation of the Kashmir conflict is predominantly an ideological one—Muslims versus Hindus—however, it didn't begin as such. Through power and international politics, it has become this way. Another significant aspect to consider in the development and resolution on the Kashmir issue, is the Valley-centric nature of the leadership and government that largely neglects the significant Pandit, Dogra (Hindu) and Buddhist populations. Through all this, the conflict is largely seen as India versus Pakistan, with little consideration for the interests of the people living in Kashmir, or those who have fled the violence as refugees.
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From Dough to Woe- The Story of Naan

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In India, despite the chaos, there is a rhythm. Jarvan, the naan baker at a popular street side restaurant in New Delhi, has that rhythm. Many comment on how the colors of India are vibrant, but so are the sounds. So are the rhythms.


After arriving in Delhi, I had a day to spare before my flight to Srinagar. For the most part, I ran around haggling at markets for all the small things that were excess weight on an international flight- shampoo, soap, batteries, etc. By early afternoon I was spent and went for some food at my favorite restaurant in Pahar Ganj. Sitting there eating, the sounds and the scenes were just awesome, with Jarvan Clapping away baking naan in the open air kitchen on the street. With nothing to do for the afternoon, I came back with my camera and hung out, trying to capture some of the sounds of the smaller metronomes of this city.

 


Chasing That Feeling- Christmas Party Ski Trip

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The Assiniboine Lites and Landscapes Christmas trip is an annual affair for blowing off steam after the summer and fall seasons of hard labor. Once it is all over and only winter lays before us, we venture into a backcountry hut for week of ski touring and partying.

This year the Assiniboine crew headed into McMurdo Cabin in the Purcell Range, south of Golden. It started out good but not epic, then the it went blue and -30°C and was too cold to really get out there. But then it settled into a constant state of snowing for four days straight. And that's when we really starting venting and blowing out the stress of a summer landscaping for some, and hanging christmas lites for others.

A veritable smorgasboard of festive faceshots is the perfect gift to one's self I would say.

 

 

Finding that Feeling

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I have been offline for a while here. Life is super busy working in Calgary hanging Christmas Lights to finance my trip to Kashmir this coming winter to make a film with b4apres. I spent the last 2 weekends in Banff at the Banff Mtn Film Festival watching a copious amount of great films. All work and television though left me really eager to get out and breathe some fresh mountain air.

Colin Puskus and I ventured into a hut over the weekend just gone to get our ski legs underneath us and run my new video camera. I picked up a Panasonic HVX 200 P2 from the Sweetgrass crew in Banff and am excited to get some experience with it. Below is a quick edit from the weekend with my new favorite toy.

 


I can't wait for next weekend.