 Poster: A snowHead
|
I was looking at some Teton Gravity trailers over the weekend and some of the stuff they do it just crazy! Here's one in particular
http://www.tetongravity.com/videos/Behindthe-Line-Episode14-Sage-Hotel-Room-800408.htm
where the skier is just feet from a serious cliff fall in AK. They say there are scared themselves so is this really taking risks too far for our enjoyment or are these risks acceptable?
Channel 4 currently have a show running called Dare Devels http://www.channel4.com/programmes/daredevils and it talks about the mind set of these extreme risk takers. Are they just foolish or are they driven to explore the limits of what's humanly possible where once you have overcome one fear you need something more dangerous again to get the same buzz?
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
|
Isn't that the video we discussed here - though I see the link there is now down.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
|
I think there are some like Jamie Pierre who are a bit unhinged or, in his case, has an extreme faith in God. Guys like Sage though surely its about them being at the very top of their profession and being able to cope with things that we more mortals couldn't even consider.
I suspect driving in a car with a F1 driver would feel like madness to most of us but their reflexes and speed of thought would mean they were operating well within their capacity.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
Peter Ross, standing at the top of that thing with the big cliff drop next to you isn't much worse than ridges you come across climbing. don't deny the exposure is scary but plenty of people enjoy the exposure
skiing that face is kind of nuts but not seriously crazy - you hear him planning out the route at the top to manage the hazards
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
achilles, Sorry but I only picked that clip as an example, there's lots of other ones!
Arno, Ye but I assume you don't hurtle back down when you are climbing  . Although I suppose even when you drive your car there isn't much margin for error.
Watching Dare Devils now and apsychologist said this sort of behaviour can be a response to a deep seated fear such as fear of heights, so doing it even though it scares you is a way of feeling in control. I'm scared of heights also, oh No!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Question Are Teton Gravity athletes just crazy?
Answer On the evidence of those clips, undoubtedly yes (as I see the world), but obviously they have a different view.
In the Sage clip, getting out of the helicopter, at all, looked crazy to me, let alone letting it leave without you on it, meaning skiing was the way down.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I dont think crazy is the right word.
Though they might have a differerent perspective on life to many people ?
Those guys are all incredible athletes performing at the very top level. They will all be very aware of the risks - but those are calculated based on their skills and ability. Its certainly not a gamble. Seth Morrison and Sage Cattabriga-Alosa have spent an entire life time training and slowly building up to that kind of performance level. Its not like they suddenly decided to send it just because the camera was running. Certainly its pretty extreme compared to what most people do on skis - but you have to respect them for dedicating their lives to performing at the top level of their sport ?
I think it was Shane McConkey (RIP) who said he thought anyone spending 50 weeks a year working in an office (on Wall Street) was crazy. He might have a point ?
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
|
Nice ironic name that descent has - Hotel Room. 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I don't think they're crazy exactly but they do want to get noticed and get paid. In order to do that they have to keep upping what they're prepared to do. It's a treadmill of sorts, albeit a very exciting one and there will be loads of people, limping around somewhere, who fell off (!) before you even heard of them. Blooper reels used to make me laugh, now they make me wonder if they skied again that season.
What guys do on mtn bikes, what big wave surfers do etc. it's the same basic premise. It's also turning your hobby in to work and then a lot of the fun must go out of it.
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
I don't think they're crazy exactly but they do want to get noticed and get paid. In order to do that they have to keep upping what they're prepared to do. It's a treadmill of sorts, albeit a very exciting one and there will be loads of people, limping around somewhere, who fell off (!) before you even heard of them. Blooper reels used to make me laugh, now they make me wonder if they skied again that season.
What guys do on mtn bikes, what big wave surfers do etc. it's the same basic premise. It's also turning your hobby in to work and then a lot of the fun must go out of it.
|
|
|
|
|
|
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
|
we sponsor Fred. He'll be at the London Metro show so come and have a chat to him.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
kiwi1, it's already on the calendar! 
A pity you couldn't make the Hemel ski test, I was looking forward to thanking you for the skis which you sold me, as well as testing the new Whitedotfreeride range.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
|
fr0sty, yeah I really wanted to come to Hemel but with our first baby only 2 months away and trying to get everything ready for the metro show and the factory I just couldn't fit it in.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
kiwi1, that's hardly an excuse is it?! 
I'll definitely be on the look-out for the 'dot stand; good luck with the show - (and the mini-kiwi of course!).
|
|
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
|
kiwi1, you doing the Birmingham ski show or just London?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FAQ
