Archive for the 'Uncategorized' Category

Southern Utah Video

Published
by
noahhowell
on January 11, 2010
in Uncategorized
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Jonah has been chomping at the bit to start working with footage for the next flick. He put this nice little edit together from our trip to Bryce and Cedar Breaks. There wasn’t enough snow to really ’ski’ much, so it was primarily ‘one turn wonders’ as we call them or ‘buttering the muffin’, where you come in hot and smear one turn. This is something we frown upon for video and rarely do, but it was our only choice due to the terrain and snow depth. That type of shot works well for still photo’s (a picture tells a thousand lies), but it’s a real challenge for video. Enjoy the vid and hopefully we’ll get some snow and we can do some real skiing.

video HERE.

Yellowstone-American Beauty

Published
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noahhowell
on January 3, 2010
in Uncategorized
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Happy New Year Everybody! Enjoy the 2010 winter season and all it’s beauty. This is a short edit from a recent trip to Yellowstone over Thanksgiving.

“And that’s the day I knew there was this entire life behind things, and… this incredibly benevolent force, that wanted me to know there was no reason to be afraid, ever. Video’s a poor excuse, I know. But it helps me remember… and I need to remember… Sometimes there’s so much beauty in the world I feel like I can’t take it, like my heart’s going to cave in.”

Quote and soundtrack from the movie American Beauty click HERE to view

Southern Utah Exploration

Published
by
noahhowell
on December 28, 2009
in Uncategorized
. 1 Comment

Skiing in the Wasatch hasn’t been off to the best start, so we headed South to explore Bryce Canyon and Cedar Breaks. We have been talking with Jay Beyer about doing some reconnaissance for years and now seemed like the perfect time. The southern part of the state had just been hit pretty hard by 1-2′ of snow and Brianhead area was reporting a deeper base than Alta.

We weren’t able to recruit anybody besides myself, Jonah and Jay for this last minute excursion.

When entering a new area it’s always important to test the snowpacks stability. Jonah has developed a new and very unique method, he said it was ‘good’, so we skied it.

We arrived mid afternoon and Bryce was looking Nice!

Conditions were much better than expected, almost skiable even. The plan was for Jonah to capture video, Jay on the still camera and I would destroy my skis attempting to make it look deep.

It was mostly one turns for the camera, or ‘wearing high heels’ (modeling) as a good friend disparagingly puts it. Simply amazing place to be no matter what you’re doing here!

The snow settled QUICKLY as the day was warm at this latitude and low elevation. We made the Navajo Loop trail with only seeing two other folks, I doubt that’s possible in the summer season.

Cedar Breaks is only an hour away and faces west. Sounded like a good place to play around and catch the sunset. The road along the rim of Cedar Breaks is closed and unplowed, but a quick skin gets you right to it.

We toured around the rim in awe at the colorful contrasts.
Even found some patches of snow deep enough to turn in.

And some patches not quite deep enough. The thrill of the early season is you never really know until you commit.

I really like this fish eye shot. So did Jay, until I pointed out his jacket in the lower left corner.

We don’t often have a moral to the story besides ’ski as much powder as you can before you die’. But you do learn bits and pieces along the way sometimes. Never pass up a chance to watch the sunset. Never pass up a road trip to new locations. Never forget your helmet and knee pads.

And never pass up a hot spring on the way home!

As always, many thanks to Jay Beyer for the still images. He captured some amazing stuff and shared the B-roll with us.

Posted by NH

Powder Magazine Photo Annual

Published
by
noahhowell
on December 21, 2009
in Uncategorized
. 4 Comments

A long time dream of mine was recently fulfilled with the release of the Dec issue of Powder Magazine.

Thanks to the eye and talented lens work of Jay Beyer we made a pretty picture for the photo annual! With knowledge and experience you try and put yourself in the ‘right’ place at the right time to capture the best conditions and light for filming video and shooting still photo’s. And then sometimes you’re just lucky. The following shot came as a surprise as we were heading home after a tiring and somewhat disappointing day. Skinning back out of Cardiff Fork the shadows ran long over the virgin slope and I huffed it up to try and beat the sun from setting over Cardiac Ridge.

Jay’s skill has increased every season in dramatic fashion! I was going to write that it’s fun to ‘work’ with Jay, but we don’t ‘work’, we play. We are some lucky bastards indeed to be able to do this. Congrats Jay! Let’s go play some more.

First Day BC

Published
by
noahhowell
on December 11, 2009
in Uncategorized
. 1 Comment

The backcountry snow has been thin so we’ve been skiing Alta and touring up Snowbird for training. With the latest storm we were drawn outside the boundaries for the first tour of the season. 

We’ve picked up some new helmet cams and we’ve been itching to get them out for a test run. Our previous helmet cams had many issues which didn’t give us much on snow perspective in last years flick. It’s a little early for a full review, but here is a taste of what the VholdR Contour HD cam provided from a surprisingly nice afternoon on Cardiac Ridge. No post production work was done and I’ll clean the lens next time (if it’s not sub-zero temps).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h8mzldpMzek

Possible Lift Expansion in Silver Fork

Published
by
noahhowell
on December 8, 2009
in Uncategorized
. 1 Comment

A few weeks ago news came out that Solitude is seeking to expand into Silver Fork. See details here.

I don’t claim to know the answers to the question of growth and expansion. The idea that I do have a voice that might be heard on the issue is nice, whether it’s true or not. My guess is it will make no difference, but it felt good to do something so I wrote a letter and sent an email (see below).

Here is the contact info for the Forest Service District Ranger and Supervisor if you wish to voice your opinion whether it’s for or against.

Cathy Kahlow District Ranger 
Uinta/Wasatch-Cache National Forest
Salt Lake Ranger District
6944 S 3000E
Salt Lake City Utah 84121
EMAIL= ckahlow@fs.fed.us

Brian Ferebee Forest Supervisor-bferebee@fs.fed.us
Uinta/Wasatch-Cache National Forest
Federal Building
125S State Street
Salt Lake City Utah 84138
EMAIL=bferebee@fs.fed.us

I’m writing in regards to the proposed Solitude lift expansion in the Silver Fork drainage. This is a great area to ski in and I’ve been enjoying it for 10 years or so as a backcountry skier. I also ski inbounds at Solitude several times a year. 

I’m not sure how the process works, but it’s my understanding that these are public lands which will be allocated for different uses by the USFS in a way that, as your slogan states “cares for the LAND and serves the PEOPLE.”

There is a huge billboard advertising Solitude at the mouth of Big Cottonwood Canyon that says: KROUDS (we don’t even know how to spell the word). And this has been my experience with skiing at Solitude, there are no crowds of PEOPLE except for the Christmas and President’s Day holidays. There is no cry from the skiing public, the PEOPLE, to expand into Silver Fork that I am aware of. Where then is the motivation for this expansion coming from? If the lift lines were long and the slopes overcrowded it would seem worth considering, but this is not the case.

I’m just a skier who enjoys the many options, lift served and backcountry, that do exist in a fine balance in this tiny mountain range.  There is within me a huge concern with the fact that a few more lifts here and there will drastically change the ’solitude’ that exists away from the lifts and the areas they serve. My vote, as one of the PEOPLE, if I have one, would be not to add a lift in Silver Fork. 

Please let me know if there will be any public hearings I can attend, or what process I can be involved in with this important decision. 

Thank you for your time, 

Noah Howell

So it begins!

Published
by
noahhowell
on December 3, 2009
in Uncategorized
. 2 Comments

Training days at Alta. 

X-Country into Yellowstone

Published
by
noahhowell
on November 30, 2009
in Uncategorized
. 9 Comments

Not much to ski here in the Wasatch at the moment. However, I wanted to get out for an adventure. There’s a little window where vehicles and snowmobiles are not allowed in Yellowstone National Park. I thought it would be a fun time to ski into Old Faithful on the snow covered roads for some exercise and to film some scenery and wildlife.

I arrived late and headed into the park via West Yellowstone. 

I found out that despite the road being closed to the public they were still plowing if for service vehicles, rangers, construction etc.

There was enough snow on the road or on the sides to put my rental gear to use (thanks to Kirkhams Outdoor Products in SLC).

Darkness came after only 5 miles or so. I spooked some large mammals on the road! 

Yes, I was a little spooked as well, but felt fine continuing. That was until the point where I heard a large pack of wolves having some sort of wild rumpus and they were in the direction of my travel. I set up camp next to the river.

It was cold, Yellowstone cold! And the wolves kept howling wildly every half hour or so making for a really restless night. I had borrowed a friends Glock 9mm which provided me with a nice false sense of security.

The sunrise in this place was what I had dreamt it might be.

I was behind scheduled miles, but I traveled slowly and filmed hoar frost melting on grass, steam off the river and the locals.

In talking with a park ranger I found out the road to Old Faithful was closed. The road north to Mammoth was pretty melted out and so my plans were changed. 

Made it into the Madison Junction by mid day and just spent the afternoon melting in the hot springs.

Not a bad spot to watch the sunset.

That night was really clear and very cold. Since I was at a dead end I decided to head back out the next morning.

14 miles back to the car.

Short but sweet trip and I was able to gather some good beta on returning next year for a longer period of time, hopefully with better conditions for traveling. 

I shot some vid and I’ll try to put it together for the web this week. 

The price you pay for brand new rental boots that haven’t been broken in.

More Tour

Published
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noahhowell
on November 26, 2009
in Uncategorized
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Ok, so we left off in Leadville and headed to Asssssspen from there. This is home to Chris Erickson, Jake Sakson, Will Cardamone and Nick Devore. Everybody was in town except Nick who was off at school in AZ. All the guys had waited to watch the show on the big screen at Belly Up. 

It was fun to see their reactions and hear the home town crowd of 170 cheering for their local boyz. 

The CAIC raffle was stacked, including a pair of BD Zealots. They raised $$ to keep current avalanche information rolling in from the mountains.

We always seem to end up at Little Annie’s when we go to Aspen, must be the cheep beers and shots. Chris Erickson, Will Cardamone and the brothers Howell.

No you are not mistaken, those are ketchup/mustard shots.

Pardon me, but do you have any Grey Poupon?

Goes down smooooooth…….

Sorry guys I had to post those pics, too funny to hide in the vault.

We had a nice little show in Glenwood Springs the next evening at the local rec center. I forgot to shoot any snapshots of the event, but picture 60 people drinking free Big Sky Beer and watching the show. 

We headed over Kebler Pass into Crested Butte in front of a storm and spent the next day enjoying the town and the snowfall.

Hit up the coffee shops.

And the library.

Then it was showtime at The Pub. Great building, bar and staff, thanks for having us.

The legendary MacMillan Brothers and local ripper Sydney Fuller brought their friends out for the evenings festivities. Not a bad turnout despite a negative ad campaign from the local theatre.

We headed out of town riding a similar storm to the one that brought us in. 

Next stop was a visit with our sister and family in Albaquerque New Mex! 

It was a nice break from life on the road even though we pulled some muscles playing Wii. Swayze days!

Here is Hannah modeling the latest PW fashions. I guess your famous now you sweet cup of chocolate milk you. 

After a day off we shot North to Santa Fe for our first visit with official PW tour. The local shop did a great job of spreading the word.

And an even better job at popping the free beers donated by, yes you guessed it, Big Sky Brewery. We played FLAKES across the street at the funky little Jean Cocteau theatre. New towns are always a surprise, so it was nice when 80 extremely excited folks came away highly stoked for winter. 

Turning North en route to our home in SLC, we stopped into another new town for our final show on the road. Pine Needle Mountaineering in Durango stepped up to offer their sweet shop as a venue.

We turned this….

Into this….

There is Nick Devore on the big screen, he also made an appearance in the flesh. Big thanks to Luke for spreading the word and rallying the local tele crew. 

Jonah came down with his annual road illness, so we booked it home asap.

Safe and sound, but tired and well worn from the road we pulled into SLC mid day and uneventfully celebrated the end of another great movie tour with a high 5. 

Thank you to everyone who helped make this the most successful and well attended tour to date!! 

I could go a long time without seeing this movie again, but we do have one final show in our backyard on Dec 4th at Harry O’s in Park City. This will be a fun show with  most of the “FLAKES” in attendance. Tickets are $10, show starts at 8pm with doors at 7pm and two reggae bands to follow. 

Be well,

NH

On Tour with Flakes in Colorado (part 1)

Published
by
noahhowell
on November 18, 2009
in Uncategorized
. 3 Comments

Wow! Just arrived home from 2 weeks on the road and it’s nice to be back in SLC.

Behold a photographical recap of our shows ranging from huge blowouts to total busts and everything in between. Yes, this is going to be a long one. 

Started off with a bang in FT Collins at the New Belgium Brewery. This show has grown steadily each year and 200 folks came to see the movie, or was it the 2 free beers, or was it to support theDiamond Peaks Ski Patrol? Over $1,700 was raised to keep the only backcountry ski patrol in the U.S. operating. 

Here I am welcoming and warning the crowd that, yes some of the snowflakes were harmed in the making of this film.

This has become a fun pre-season and pray for snow event for us and the community of Ft Collins. Thanks to Shawn and Lucas for helping put this together.

Nest stop, Boulder, and home of THE Megan Michelson.

We moved to a nice new venue this year saying farewell to the Dark Horse. Great call!! The warehouse at Avery Brewery housed a mad throng of 260!!

 

Flylow Dan and I with our best mannequin impressions.

Considering a new larger venue for next year, but a warehouse full of beer is tough to beat. We’re thinking we can get a bigger screen and more chairs so we can keep it here.

Boulder is home to some of our sponsors like Zeal Optics, Scarpa and BCA. We swung by to pick up some new lenses and swag for the raffles, thanks guys. 

Shan Sethna is pretty much single handedly responsible for our mega-event in Denver at the Oriental Theatre. Can you find Lemon Boy? He’s much nicer in person than on the interweb.

We blew the doors off it this year with 650 folks cramming the theatre to set a record as the single largest event this venue has ever housed. Friends of Berthoud Pass raised over 3K thanks to everybody throwing down for raffle and silent auction items. 

What a night, but it wasn’t over yet. Jonah and Megan empty their glasses and cheers to the upcoming season. 

Not sure what Wren and I were up to here.

Or here…..

made sense at the time….

What happens on tour, doesn’t stay on tour, it gets blogged. Wren and Megan were onto something here. Sorry for posting this gals, but it’s too funny not to. 

The next night was a great show at the new location for Wilderness Exchange near downtown Denver. I blew it and forgot the camera, but the place was packed 150 deep and we had to turn folks away. Great looking shop with the latest gear and a consignment area downstairs.

Up the I-70 corridor we went to the newly liberated town of Breckenridge for a show at 320 South.

Dan hit the road with us to display and promote the new line of gear from Flylow. Nice display! Dan has become a good friend of ours over the past few years, it’s fun to hang out and talk about the ski industry and our little start up companies.

 

With the recent legalization of marijuana in Breck, we could only speculate that folks just plain forgot to come to the show. However, a good time was had by those in attendance and almost everybody won gear from the raffle. 

Days in between shows often end up at coffee shops using the internet to take care of business. Not sure what Dan is measuring here, but you can bet whatever he does will be swayze like the rest of the Flylow line. 

The show must go on, next stop, Avon. We’ve had large shows (over 100) in the Avon/Vail/Edwards area over the past years, but only 10 folks showed up for the flick.

I attempted to draw in a crowd with my pole dancing skills. Nobody was impressed.

 Jake Sakson drove down from Aspen in his new ambulance which he is going to convert to Bio-diesel and live out of for he winter. Now that is the ski bum spirit! 

The police swung by to see what was going on. 

Jake had everything in order and there wasn’t any trouble. But later we got to see a guy step out of line and get tasered. I was going to take some pics, but it didn’t seem right. Interesting night all in all. 

First trip to Leadville was not a disappointment. The Scarlet Tavern was incredibly hospitable to the 90 or so guests who came out to shake the snow globe and see if it wouldn’t snow.  

We ran on two screens with a few minor glitches. Thanks for coming out everybody, see you next year.

I’ll try and get part 2 up tomorrow after skiing! Going out with Jason West if we can drag him away from his little girl. 

NH