ALL THOSE YEARS OF CATERING to the core have led to some iconic moments, from the Absinthe heyday with Justin Hostynek dan-gling out of a heli to film unforgettable parts with the likes of Lucas De-bari, Manuel Diaz, Jason Robinson, Gigi Rüf and so many more, to modern day exploits with big brands and core riders alike. One of the two helis during our visit is reserved for Warren Miller Films, who have been flying with local Ryland Bell and Jackson Hole’s Cam Fitzpatrick. And then there’s our crew, a mix of Haines veterans such as Blair Haben-icht alongside Spencer O’Brien on her first Alaskan heli trip, and every-one else in between. As predicted, we step into the field our first morning and promptly panic our way back to base as clouds close in. Soon, the skies clear fully and we make the short trip back to a zone known as Canadian Buns—a long ridge with pillowed spines falling away to the glaciated valley floor. Our two groups work in unison, tapping through prominent lines in the zone, running hot until the dinner bell rings. The next morning we wake to wind—20 knots and manageable for the moment—so we make our way to a nearby bowl to get started. Winds begin to gust, a little heavier now. Landing becomes an is-sue. A drop on a high plateau. We back off a steep face as Blair, Mary and Spencer are blasted by wind. It’s cold up on that ridge. Plan B takes us down through some ice to the pickup. It’s over. This wind will last for three days and rip the range to shreds as it spins over 80 mph in the high country. After a night in town, most of our crew books tickets out. The helicopters head back to their home base in Skagway. Soon it’s just Blair and me left in the A-frame along-side staff. “We’re considering unpanicking,” Blair says, sitting at the din-ner bench, bottle of whiskey in front of him. We could wait it out and fly with another outfit that’s based out of town. We have a small deposit there and it’s a use-it-or-lose-it scenario. But the mountains are cooked. Sean and his crew, meanwhile, are planning a surf trip to Yakutat. Their heli season is done. Blair books a ticket out. I’m now the only guest in the A-frame. Sean’s even stopped grooming Powdah Mountain. It’s snowing at home. Should I head north and join the beach camp for a week? Sounds amazing. But that might have to wait for next year. Late-season storms down south are too enticing to pass up. Don’t panic. Hang with Ryland for a day. See the alpine after the wind. Then begin planning. Go home. Maybe get here earlier next year. Consider putting down a deposit. Bring a snowmobile. There’s so much left on the table. There’s always so much left on the table in Haines. Our two groups work in ison, tapping rough promin t lines in e zone, rning hot til e dinn bell rings. BACKGROUND Ridgelines of the Dirty Needle. Yes, it’s been ridden, but not that much by Haines standards. Photo: Colin Wiseman CLOCKWISE FROM TOP Three crews assembled and ready for the morning lift. Photo: Colin Wiseman Don’t touch the pilot and don’t touch his seat. Maybe ask him about the local trout fishing— once you’re on the ground, though. Photo: Colin Wiseman Blair Habenicht’s last turn of the day. Photo: Colin Wiseman 066 THE SNOWBOARDER’S JOURNAL
The Snowboarder's Journal The Snowboarder's Journal 20.3: Page 66
