Oh yeah, it’s getting close to TSX teaser time!! Slednecks put out an amazing new teaser for SN14 so be sure to check that out to get some buzz going!
We wrapped our filming season last weekend with another amazing weekend of riding. Mark Dixson, Tina Thomas, Randy Swenson, Brett Coupal, Cam Hicks and photographers Jim Phelan (me), Richelle Maser and Tyler Hicks with support from Dallas Sirois and Jeremy Maser hit the hills for craziness to the extreme!! The first day we rode a secret area and this is no joke… I put on 64 miles to film ONE chute. Randy’s amazing Twilight Zone Chute went down! After several years of scouting it and drooling over pictures and Google Earth, Randy, Brett and Mark Dixson busted into the bottom of it for some crazy fun! All the support crew was in place and we had a blast watching Randy take down this amazing first ascent. Unfortunately, Brett tried it next and did not fare so well as his propane turbo came back down the chute. After a 2 hour rescue, we had a little lunch and started touring. At one point we came to a steep saddle overlooking an awesome bowl. Cam and I and a few others pulled up to the steep saddle and turned out and parked. There were 6 or 7 of us standing there looking down a very steep bowl when Brett drove up the saddle side. At the last minute, Brett pinned his turbo and went into full boost going straight toward the cornice! We all looked in horror as Brett did not realize there was a cliff coming up fast. He left the ground and we screamed in horror as he literally FLEW into the steep bowl on full boost. Truly, the most amazing thing I’ve ever seen on a sled! (After the adrenaline died down we all christened it the “LEAP OF FAITH”) Luckily missing rocks, Brett shoulder-rolled into the steep bowl and landed hard many feet down the hill. Cam immediately ran down the slope to check on him and despite a sore shoulder, Brett was OK!! It was so crazy! And we are so glad he was not hurt! After a long time we worked our way around the bowl to Brett and continued our ride.
The next day we rode a familiar area called Turtle and everyone just went off, climbing everything around, including a couple more first ascents for Randy! What an awesome day and it was “The Day of the Moon” as we got some amazing moon shots with the riders! You can see one of these shots of Randy below and the rest will be in our picture gallery soon. Also, be sure to check out many of our new pictures on FACEBOOK!
The last day was weird. Total sun when we got up. By the time we got on the hill, rolling clouds had covered the mountains. With sunny breaks few and far between, we waited for Amy Enns to try the infamous “Monster Chute” and then Randy pulled another CRAZY first ascent near it. As we ate lunch we watched as every cloud on the mountain split, went away, and opened to a perfectly sun-filled afternoon!! Another epic day for the Thunderstruck riders!
Next up: After a bit of family time, the huge process of producing Thunderstruck 10 begins. I will be releasing the Cover artwork very soon and of course, the teaser comes shortly after that.
I would like to thank all of our amazing sponsors for a kick-butt season and thank you so much to the Team Thunderstruck riders as they truly never fail to amaze me… Thank you all so very much, I am truly blessed!
– May 24, 2011