This is my first published photo with my name on it.
And my gateway air into the foray of BIG cliffs.
Located Hell Gate area Little Cottonwood backcountry.
Up until this cliff, the largest cliff I had jumped was around 50 feet.
This one was around 80 feet.
I was absolutely stuck at 50 feet for a few years.
I’d air 50 footers all day, but anything bigger?
That is until Teton Gravity Research High Life came out, Jamie Pierre’s segment was unreal.
I studied one air he did in particular that was over 100 feet.
But to apply this..
The next season I was lucky enough to stumble upon this cliff.
I sauntered up to the take off and had a look.
Looked good to go.
But the landing was pretty far down there.
Way further than anything I’d jumped before.
I gained a sharper focus, directed Rob Holmes (fitting isn’t it?)
My take off was golden.
My focus was golden.
I shit you not, at that exact moment Jamie Pierre pulls up.
What in the?!…
Of all places, seriously it was pretty rad.
First time I had met him was right there right then and there.
No conversation was had, he was super respectful and completely stepped aside and watched me do my thing.
I gave the “ten seconds!”.
That extra half a second was rowdy!
I was about to hit the ground and became ultra relaxesd and took a deep exhale.
..I never even felt the ground.. like a never ending pile of leaves.
I popped up and skied away laughing, at that moment my life changed.
I was licking my chops.
I promised myself to lose my loose ways and be 100% sure of anything going forward.
So my broken femur actually forced this progression upon me.
I would’ve never had the mental tenacity to stare something like this down without that accident.
