Forum rider, Scottie Kees, videographer, Jameson Walter and myself headed to Crested Butte in March of 08′ to film some back counrty goodness. When we arrived we met up with locals, Austin Gibney and Brady Farr. We had the entire week to take sleds out and explore the endless features that Crested Butte had to offer.

Scottie Kees(front) and Austin Gibney(back) gearing up the sleds at Lake Irwin.

With our local guides, we set out early Monday morning. With great weather on our side, the possibilities were limitless. We ventured out, spotting lines and other features, but decided that some of the conditions we’re unstable due to the amount of snow Crested Butte had seen so far(a record amount). So we settled with a step down that the locals had done the season before. With good light and good conditions and just about no set up time needed, it was on.

Brady Farr getting ready.

Brady Farr executing a perfect switch back one.

Scottie Kees with a solid front three.

As we were seshing this feature, Austin Gibney had been eyeing this particular line all year and decided it was now or never. With more snow this season than in the past season Austin had to claim it as his own, considering its never been filled in so deep. Charging up the mountain, testing the snow and spotting exactly were he was to drop in. As Scottie, Jameson, Brady and myself were setting up at the base ready to document this gnarly line, Austin was ready. Descending down the face, I noticed that he went too far than he was supposed to. All of a sudden Austin was caught in the quickly moving sluff. Surprised, Austin was brought to ground, sliding, trying to stop when he was forced to jump. From the bottom it was horrifying to watch as Austin slammed into rocks, cartwheeling as he hit more rocks before sliding thirty yards down unconscious. Luckily he was wearing his helmet.

The only frame I got off before I realized that he missed his line.

Fearing the worst we sprinted up hill, racing to our unconscious friend lying upside down not moving. Five minutes later we reached Austin, covered in blood dripping from the face. He was alive! With an impact like the one he took straight to the dome, we didn’t know what to expect. Severely concussed, scarred and not knowing how he got there, who we were, and what had just happened, we had to get him out of the back country and to the hospital ASAP!

So we raced him to an ambulance waiting in the parking lot and he was off to the Gunnison ER. An hour later we found out that he had suffered a brain hemorrhage and a massive concussion. After another ambulance ride to Grand Junction, Austin was released looking like a beaten rag doll, swollen face, stitches and two black eyes is what he remembered from that gnarly line that almost took his life. A couple week of rest and Austin would be back riding lines and facing his fears. As Brady Farr said,”if theres anyone who could’ve ridden that line, it’s Austin Gibney”

Knowing that Austin wouldn’t want us to end our trip, we marched on. Spotting some features that were accessible with out sleds, Scottie, Jameson and myself found a nice mellow field to ride some pow.

Jameson Walter with a nice little turn in untouched goodness.

With one more feature that we just couldn’t pass up we continued on to some urban. We spotted an awesome wall ride on the mountain the day before and decided to do a night sesh. With a couple hours of prep it was ready to go.

This was Scottie Kees first time trying a wall ride, and what better of a spot than this. A couple of tries later you would have thought he’s been doing this all is life.

Overall this trip was definitely not epic but alot of fun and a one thing I learned is that safety can make a huge difference. Maybe if we would have examined Austin’s line a little more or even been closer to the line so we could have reached him faster, but you can criticize your mistakes all day but nothing matters when it is said and done.

Be sure to check out http://www.terryratzlaff.com for more images and frequent updates.

and for the footage from this trip check out Black Hole Production’s upcoming film “Roll The Dice“

Category: Snowboarding   Tags: art, colorado, crested butte, forum snowboards, scottie kees, terry ratzlaff