Trip Journal: Portillo Photo Challenge
Posted on Wednesday, September 3rd, 2008
The forecast for Salt Lake City is more of the same, sunny and hot with highs in the mid 90s. It is a bit surreal to be packing up ski gear and warm clothing including my uber toasty Down Patrol Jacket in August but very exciting. Steve Lloyd and I will be joining four other photographer/athlete teams to compete for a week in Portillo Chile’s Photo Challenge. Skiing magazine is teaming up with the resort Ski Portillo to put on the event.
Monday, August 25, 2008
The competition officially got underway Monday but we were able to get out Saturday afternoon, take a look around, get some shots and get in trouble with ski patrol in my true style. Not really in trouble; we just skied all the way down to the lake which we were told was open but was not true as the ice is only 2 ½ to 3 inches thick. Seemed solid to me!
This place is amazing! The lift access terrain gets you into some amazingly steep and technical terrain which is deceivingly long. Hiking gets you into the really exciting zones that have shocked me into mid-winter mentally my first few turns.
Yesterday, we decided to dive right in and go first thing to the classic Portillo line the Super C Couloir. It was a rude awakening for our jet lagged bodies as the boot pack climbs 2,700 vertical feet with an exposed traverse which was very well filled in with a good snowpack this season. It tops out at 13,600 ft with amazing views of the valley below. The effort is a sound investment with an estimated 5,000 vertical continuous descent. We had excellent conditions in the couloir for both skiing and shooting which was almost pure dumb luck and being in the right place at the right time. The couloir faces predominantly south (which is the southern hemisphere’s north) and as a result receives very little light except at the very top. We were able to get some strong photos almost the entire way down. It is a true classic and I thoroughly enjoyed every minute.
Today, we were even more productive returning to several zones that we scoped out yesterday. With spring-like temperatures, many aspects are developing melt-freeze crusts which is making us earn the good snow with more effort. But hey, that’s what we’re here for.
Speaking of more effort, the plan for tomorrow is to take advantage of lake access that was opened up for us and head out for an epic tour. I’ll report on that adventure tomorrow evening. Over and out from Chile.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
The old maxim “Be careful of what you ask for” proved itself true once again today. We had all been hoping that we would be cleared for lake access to allow for touring up the valley into some unskied zones. The request was granted with the stipulation that we follow the contour of the shore and only get on the ice in the areas where cliffs prevent staying on the solid ground.
By 4 a.m., Steve and I were skidding across the frozen slopes that plunge into the ice covered lake. We were excited but a little nervous as cracks in the ice were easily visible in the beams of our head lamps. Following the shoreline was significantly more work than making a straight line across the center of the lake but that wasn’t an option.
After finally reaching the main cliff blocking continued passage along the shore, we threw on our skins and I gingerly stepped on the ice with no cracking or creaking. “Good to go,” we thought and started skirting the shore on the edge of the lake. After some distance on the ice, I unexpectedly had an eight foot section of ice break and compress as I moved over it. It didn’t move too much for me but as Steve moved across it broke loose further. This started to concern us but we kept moving as we were just approaching the section of cliff that comes vertically into the lake that we expected to be the most committing of the whole lake crossing. As I came around a corner of the rock wall, I could see a section of that was obviously unstable and poorly refrozen from melting the previous day. I was able to pull myself up onto a rock shelf to get a better look and could see through the ice to the rock wall that continued deep into the lake. At that point we decided to turn back. Steve was ahead of me as we made our way back along the ice. As he moved across the floating section with one quick step, water gushed up over the top of the ice. At that point, I really started to think I might be getting wet. Luckily, I was able to traverse the short section with most of my weight on hand holds along the rock wall. So ended our bid for scoring the ‘forbidden zones.’
We did make it back to the lodge before breakfast and then headed out for plan B to salvage the day of shooting. Although not what we had hoped for, we averted complete disaster and a possible serious situation. Steve and I have been in several very close calls previously when we chose to disregard that nagging sense that we should turn back and pay attention to the signs. It’s a difficult thing for me to give in and not just keep pushing on.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Today started out as a grey day and was forecasted to be snowing in the morning. Luckily the forecast was off a on the timing but not the storm. The afternoon was snowing, blowing and flat light. The snow was just starting to pile up enough to make the skiing fun and the tight chutes that are a staple of the Portillo terrain gave just enough contrast to the sky and snow to cut a path of visibility through the white-out.
Most of Portillo’s 500 and some guests spent the day in the lodge hanging out, resting, drinking or relaxing in the pool or hot tub. Most people, including many in our group, were planning on a down day today with the storm and partied hard and late last night. It was also Jake Bogosh’s birthday which just added to reasons to make the most of the evening. Today, Jake had somewhat recovered but said of the damage done last night; “I have never felt that bad the next day.” At least it will be a memorable birthday!
The food served in the dining room is delicious and high class; much above my usual level of dining. Most days we miss lunch as we typically take advantage of good shooting light. Dinner is served in Chilean custom quite late. We have a dinner time of 9 p.m.
After dark, we went out for a session of night shooting that was difficult with the strong winds but really paid off with some good shots. Several other teams were out in the night shooting as well and made for quite a light show on the slopes around the lodge.
We are hoping to be blessed with clear skies tomorrow and at least a few inches of snow to freshen up the mountain. If we get another grey day we’ll just have to be more creative.
Thursday, August 28, 2008
6:45 a.m.- Blue Bird and more snow with less wind than expected….it’s on!
We gear up and head outside to see if we can get on early at 7:30 again. Frank Coffee, the patrol director, gives us the go ahead but doesn’t have any lift operators where we wanted to go until 8 which was still awesome.
Today went off! Unbelievable pow shots, big mountain lines and even a few 40 foot cliff hucks. The snow was great and on the right aspects was filled in and deep. The snow was almost Utah quality but the slopes we skied are steeper and much, much longer with no trees at this elevation. I love that anaerobic quad burn from 1,500 vertical feet of full speed pow turns.
All five teams were skiing in the same general area but there was enough room for everyone to find shots that will definitely bolster the slide shows tomorrow evening. Although the quality light did not hold past early afternoon, we didn’t miss out on the action and got more than our fair share of quality images. A lot of happy, satisfied smiles at the end of the day.
Our shot list still has a few unfinished projects but time is running low as the slideshow needs to be wrapped up by 3 p.m. tomorrow. Again we are at the mercy of the conditions but so far we have had a great week. We have worked hard and long but the effort has produced some great photos. What a great start to the season! I could easily get used to winter year round.
Way to go baby! I love you and am so proud of your hard work….I hope you and Steve win FIRST PRIZE!