From a young age, the prospect of visiting what is known as the ‘Last great frontier’ had always been a dream. When the opportunity arose to travel there to ski in one of the most famous areas in Alaska we jumped at the opportunity. Along with Lele Tizzoni & Gerry Cusini we traveled to Thompson Pass near the town of Valdez to attempt to ski some of the iconic lines pioneered by Doung Combs in the 1990’s.
We went there to chase a dream. Because ‘Alaska’ wasn’t a place in our eyes. It was a dream, an idea, a feeling. That’s what we went the for. We were going there because of the emotions we felt just watching the legends like Doug Coombs skiing in those places.
We are all attracted to those iconic places, they are a magnet shrouded in mystery.
We were travelling there to do a project on climate change. The idea was to ski some famous lines that could potentially not be skied anymore due to glaciers receding due to warming temperatures. It seems counterproductive, to travel across the world to do a project on climate change. But that was the purpose we gave to our dream.
However, it made me think, when it comes to travelling, skiing or any other outdoor sport, could it be possible that the end destination isn’t the deciding factor in how you feel about an experience or a place. Why do we even partake in the sports, for what reason? Are we chasing something, are we running away from something, or are we doing both.
I know why I do it. At least I think I do. I ski and travel because when you are doing it, that is the only thing that matters. You are focused on what is in-front of you. You are engrossed by the moment in a way that is hard to achieve in many other ways.
Outdoor sports give you that release, they give the opportunity to feel mindful and to be completely happy in the present, without any consideration for what came before or what will come after. You are completely in the moment and free of any distraction or emotion external to what you are experiencing.
In Tibetan Buddishm, this state of mind is know as Sati and is one of the seven factors of Enlightenment.
When you do that perfect turn, reach that rocky peak or climb that perfect pitch you reach a level of consciousness unrivalled in normal everyday life. You appreciate everything that little bit more and your feelings are accentuated.
This state of mind is an addiction, we crave it over and over and are willing to travel great distances to feel it.
That is what we were chasing. Not a place, but a state of mind. We were chasing freedom.
Below you can see the resulting video..
Featuring:
Lele Tizzoni
Gerry Cusini
Hector Silva Peralta
Elena Adorni
Carbon offsetting
For this trip we offset a total of 12 tonnes of CO2.
For more information on carbon offsetting visit:
www.carbonfootprint.com
Thanks for your time!