Crew On The Sphinx

PNH, Chugach Mountains, Cordova, Alaska

Athletes: Kevin Quinn, Micah Black, Kent Kreitler

Camera: Nikon F5

What makes it special: Being on top of the world. Hanging out of a chopper at 8,000 feet, looking out over a glorious mountain range while your friends salute you from the top of a peak, is simply divine. Boy do I love my job.

The story:  "After ten consecutive years of finishing my ski season in the Chugach Mountains, I finally got the goods. My friend and fellow dreamer, Kevin "Quinner" Quinn had launched PNH (Points North Heli-Adventures) in Cordova. As a friend from Tahoe, I accepted his invitation and showed up for the time of my life. I have devoted an amazing amount of time and resources exploring and creating work with him as my guide. The challenges of shooting heli skiing are many. Alaska's weather cycles; snow, wind and stability issues wreak havoc on even the most thorough plans.

Working on my first Warren Miller shoot, Tom Day and I were teamed up with Quinner, Kent Kreitler, and Micah Black, "The Dream Team." These were four of the best days I ever had in the Chugach - the gods shined on us. The conditions were exceptional; the snow pack was deep and bomber (very stable). By day three our confidence levels soared and our film stock was showing a serious dent. After a couple of high speed warm up runs we set our sights on "The Sphinx." I started with a heli shot of the crew on the Sphinx and preceded to shoot all three world-class athletes tear up big crazy lines.

I ended the session with a surprise bonus from Quinner. After years of shooting other athletes ski this awe inspiring mountain and dreaming about what it would be like, I got my turn. I dropped my camera pack on the glacier, loaded up anxiously catching a glimpse of the face as we spiraled up to the summit. As I stepped out of the bird onto the tiny pad, the snow flurried from the rotary wash and I hunkered down wondering to myself if I really could ski the line. The helicopter flew away and the swirling snow turned to dead calm. I stood up, turning around to catch the 360-degree view. What a change in perspective.

The line down the Sphinx face is what some consider to be the perfect run in Alaska. It is over two thousand feet long at a sustained 52-degree angle. Our team geared up and delicately slid down the exposed ridge to the face. With my heart pounding, I looked over the edge and forced myself to breathe.

I have never seen a more amazing line in my life. Despite my past experience with shooting others ski it, I now found myself on top of the Sphinx seeing it in a whole new light.

I was given the honors, but insisted that Tom go first. Watching him fall away, turn by turn, didn't make the visual any easier. Still, I was committed. I took a deep breath and dropped in. Fear was replaced with exhilaration."