Life of Bot

Jake Welch on the back cover of Snowboarder Magazine

 

    Here is a shot of Jake Welch launching Backside 180 off this pyramid in St. Paul, Minnesota. When you see the video, you will trip. Kyle McCoy assisted on this one and helped me get the shot. The key to this shot was instead of going back to the hotel to rest, which is what was called for, Jake Welch, Kurt Heine and myself set up the runway and landing so we were good to go in the a.m. Jake had the motivation and even after he had stomped the trick, he was up to doing it over an over again until we got the light on his face just right. He's a true professional.

 

Chaz Chaffee is the man in Minnesota. He's got a big heart and balls of steel. Thanks Chaz for your help and guidance! 

 

Technical info:

 

Canon EOS 1D Mark III - 16-35mm L f/2.8 - (f/5.6 @ 1/1000 @ iso 400)

Two Elinchrom Ranger RX AS packs

In front with 30 degree grid inside of a standard 50 degree reflector, in back with high performance 48 degree reflector and Rosco Gel #854.

Pocket Wizard II's on Packs and mini-ttl on camera.

Knee Surgery - ACL and MCL

    A couple years ago I was involved in a snowmobile accident in the Montana backcountry. I was rolling around with Pat Moore and Nic Sauvé on a day we should not have went out on. Total white out. When those conditions exist, it becomes difficult to tell where you are and what type of obstacles may be coming up. Click here for the old post. Fast forward 2 years later, celebrating the last night of our Minnesota Urban trip when Cam Pierce and I are talking shit and I turn to him...and my knee pops and I'm laying on the floor screaming about a Powerbar or something. Cam had taken me out without laying a finger on me. What really happened was my ACL blew in my right knee. The right place, the right time. Needless to say, the next day sucked as it was a travel day and I had to make my way from Minnesota to South Lake Tahoe with a buttload of gear. I was surprised to find that traveling folk are completely rude as I hobbled my way through the airport. This was in February 2011, the snowmobile accident was in February 2009. February being the key word here as it meant that I had to figure out a way to make it through May with a blown knee. The backcountry hadn't even started for me yet. 

    Bryan Knox recommended the fine people down at CORE Orthopaedic in Encinitas, CA. Dr. Skyhar came well recommended, especially for action sports type people. I made an emergency appt. and hopped on a flight to John Wayne, rented a car and met up with the doctor. My main objective was to get a brace to get me through the season. While I was there, I also did some x-rays and the all important MRI. I left that day with brace in hand and a diagnosis of a fully blown ACL. Come the end of May, I called CORE's offices to schedule the surgery. Dr. Skyhar called me back and said that he couldn't do the surgery because for some reason, a radiologist had inspected the MRI and concluded that I didn't need surgery. He said "this muddies the waters". Now I don't know anything about anything when it comes to medical diagnosis, but I can tell you with the utmost confidence that there was something severely wrong with my knee. He asked me to get a second opinion. 

    I then called a local well known Doctor by the name of Dr. Orr but only got his answering machine. After leaving several messages with no response I forgot about him. Later, his assistant James called back and asked me to come in because a friend of mine had mentioned that I couldn't get a hold of him. Before I did so, he wanted me to get a copy of the MRI from CORE. I requested the copy and it arrived a few days later. I went into Tahoe Fracture and was surprised to find out that Dr. Orr just went on vacation for three weeks. At this point, I was over it. Sometimes, you just have a feeling, and I had that feeling from the beginning with this doctor. I'm not saying he isn't good at what he does, but for me in this situation, he was not the guy. In a conversation with our neighbor, who flies the CEO of Chevron around the world on a private jet, he recommended Dr. Stephen Howell, and said that when he spoke with Doctors about knee replacement, Dr. Howell was the Doctor the Doctors went to. 

    I had my surgery two days ago and am happy to say that it was a success. Dr. Howell was great and no B.S. The operation took under an hour and the staff and facility were top notch. If you are in Northern California, I highly recommend this Doctor. If you are in Southern California, I would still recommend Dr. Skyhar. He was a rad guy and very knowledgeable.

    Here is a link to Dr. Howell's website where you can watch an entire ACL surgical procedure. I watched it before I went in so I knew what I was in for. *WARNING* - The videos are graphic in nature and may not be suitable for everyone.

Mammoth...

...not much to say about my trip to Mammoth other than I got to see a few friends, namely Peter Morning, Aaron Dodds & Pat Bridges, and hang with some of the crew I hadn't seen all year. Here's a couple photos from the hour we were on the hill and the 8 hours at the bar.

The view from the room at the Mammoth mountain Inn on the nice day

 

 

Forum filmer Nathan Yant still got it

 

 

Jake Welch laying back in the cut

 

 

Headstand by Heine

 

 

Once the weather came out, so did the cacktails. Thanks Paula!

 

 

If you pour Kevin a shot of Jagermeister, He will drink it

 

 

Keller listening to Pat Moore slur, while Dewey listens intently, while Yant pulls a knife

 

 

THE END

 

 

 

 

 

Forum Park Shoot - Sierra-at-Tahoe

     

Photo: Kevin Keller

 

    After 3 weeks in grey sky Whistler, it was refreshing to return to my home mountain, Sierra-at-Tahoe. Blue skies and sun, California style. Just want to give a shout out to the Doug and the park crew who did a fantastic job of shaping and maintaing our jump line. A special thank you also goes out Brooke Summers. She's done a lot for Sierra since she's been there and we're the happy recipients of her hard work and devotion, so thank you.

 

Forum Crew and Sierra Park staff waiting for the bird

 

Daniel Ek getting his tan-on, Pat Moore dissaproves

 

Doug Mercer, the guy who keeps the park looking good

 

A group of distinguished gentleman (left to right: Sweetin, Keller, Yant, Heine, Knox)

 

Knox working on his photo book

 

Cam Pierce at the Forum compound on Kingsbury

 

Andreas Wiig, keeping it clean

 

Burglars on ladders

 

Kevin Keller explaining the options

 

Alek Ostreng and Austen Sweetin

 

Last call Special Blend

 

 

 

 

 

B.C. - Cabin Fever and Close Calls in Black & White

B.C. in B.C.

(Photo by Austen Sweetin)

 

    Been posted up in B.C., Canada for over 10 days. Canada is a beautiful country, especially British Columbia, with the Coastal Mountains rising directly from the sea level. Pat Moore, Jake Welch and Austen Sweetin have been chipping away at their video parts and I've been along for the ride and what a ride it has been. Some serious highs and lows. Our filmer Kyle Schwartz was involved in a snowmobile accident and broke his leg. It has been fixed up and he has a new titanium plate screwed into his leg. Needless to say, his season is over, and without insurance, he's feeling pretty crappy. Get better Kyle, we'll be sending positive thoughts your way. On the upside, we've had a couple sunny days and have been getting some good shots. Click to launch the gallery.

Flipping out via Jeremy Jones's blog

Whistler is the best. The day we showed up, we ran into the Burton and Endeavor dudes and had a little party in the clouds. Check out Pat Moore's aim. Good times!

Flipping Out from Jeremy Jones on Vimeo.

Land of the Shining Mountains Photo Post - The Wild

This part of the country is littered with animals. Click HERE to see more.

Land of the Shining Mountains Photo Post - Backcountry

Nic was injured early on and went back home to Québec to heal up. Stevie and Jake soldiered on and were rewarded for their efforts. The photo above was a good day for everyone. Click HERE for more.

Land of the Shining Mountains Photo Post - Scenes from the road

 

 

Here are some SCENES out the car window from our last trip. Next post will be up in them there mountains.