Herrrooo from AK!!

P

prbrownie

New member
Well hello there,

Haven't really been on the site much since I created an account, and since I'm a habitual procrastinator, I figured I'd take some time away from YouTube and staring at the wall with a vacant expression to come troll with you fools until the snow falls!

I, of course, am based in AK. Grew up down the road from Points North in Cordova. Been backcountry most of my skiing career, and therefore couldn't slide a rail to save my life (am I making friends yet?). Spent some dazed seasons at Mt. Hood working for peanuts and bumming around the PNW before realizing I belonged up here and returning to Mecca. Since then I've put everything I've had into building an AK worthy setup, with many errors, failures, and days spent wrenching on POS sleds with a copy of Freedom of the Hills cracked open on the floor. Along the way, I picked up Speedflying and applied it to our local lines.

Now that I've given you some pointless information, here's some of last seasons results! (https://vimeo.com/66943402)

Since the snow finally melted 4 weeks ago, I've been doing my best to stay busy. Took some time down in Idaho to Speedfly with friends (https://vimeo.com/69792516) and knock my first BASE jumps (https://vimeo.com/68743546).

It's working season up here now, and just like ski/sky bums around North America, it's time to stack cash so I can play later. This has been going very badly with the skydiving distraction. I'm afraid this winter's big expendature will be better sled vs. BASE rig. Fortunately I've found eating one meal a day really helps save $$.

Still trying to figure out the whole NS vs. TGR dynamic. I'm going to start cruising there too to find that balance between being part of the next gen and being backcountry. Call me what you will. Any other AK'ers on here?

 
Tailgate Alaska 2013; 5 epic days of Speedflying/Skiing/Sled mountaineering from Pryce Brown on Vimeo.

embed 4 u babe
 
Bad jokes about the lack of urban in that video aside...

Welcome.

That was sick.

You can link your vimeos into the video section.
 
i liked the BASE video. i want to BASE jump so badly.

how did you get into it?

what was your prior skydiving experience?
 
Jeepers guys, thanks! I've found a home!!

@Fluttershy, ummm, yeeeah. I did what's appropriately called a "Death Camp" and hucked my meat with no prior Skydiving experience. Not recommended. There are several different schools of thought on this, and the discussion goes for ages. In my defense, sub-terminal freefall (BASE) has an entirely different skillset that terminal jumping out of planes. Much more focus on body positioning at exit and meticulous packing (you've only got 1 shot). That being said, many of the skydiving skills cross over. Canopy time of some sort is a must. I had a ton of time flying speedwings and paragliders of various types/sizes, and knew these dumb seven cell BASE rigs wouldn't be a problem. I had a good buddy with tons of BASE eperience willing to show me how to pack and do a PCA (Pilot Chute Assist) for me, so most of my opportunities to screw up outside of the actual canopy flight were minimized. Pretty much any meat missle with the slightest bit of aerial awareness can PCA off a bridge. Keeping that canopy controlled and making a safe landing (i.e. not smashing into cliffs, rocks, trees) is an entirely new ball game. Since then, I've stepped back and started skydiving and learned a TON that will help my re-entry into BASE this winter. Doing PCAs are fun, but will not develop the skills I need for more advanced BASE (Ski BASE, wingsuit, ect) that I ultimately plan on doing. In short, I'd recommend getting a bunch of skydives first. Skydiving is super fun and accessible, and really not all that expensive if you're used to blowing your savings on passions. Besides, pretty much no BASE First Jump Instructor is going to touch you without skydiving experience. Death Camping is generally a bad idea, and injuries/fatalities at the bridge bring a BASE ban one step closer and ruin the fun for everyone.

If you're not ready for the long journey of getting into BASE, try Speedflying! It's wicked fun and way cheaper. I've had multiple proximity wingsuiters tell me that Speedflying is the best fun:effort:$$ ratio that can be had. I'd tend to agree. BASE is a dark art in which one will ultimately lose friends.
 
Im not from Alaska but working in Mckinley park this summer. It's been way too hot. Gonna try and make a trip to valdez in March. Tailgate alaska week might be the prime time.
 
no way, you guys have the best urban in the state. if that's what you're into. if you aren't then you're right, it sucks balls.
 
Haha, yeah, don't live in AK for the urban. Fairbanks is pretty isolated from good riding. I find myself making the 7 hour drive to Thompson Pass and back for weekend trips, probably why I didn't do so well last semester and blew all of my money. Was thinking about moving to Anchorage for next winter to be closer to good riding/flying, but UAA's program sucks and I'm having problems finding cheap housing where I can park the toys. Might have to tough it out up here until I graduate next year.

Speaking of, I'm instructing speedflying if anyone in AK wants to learn. See my thread in the AK section.
 
Yeah, Thompson Pass in late March/early April is the s***. Tailgate week is my annual pilgramage to Mecca. I think the only better ridable terrain is in the Chilkats, but the access isn't nearly as good. If you have a sled in Valdez with some avy and glacier travel training/gear you are stylin.
 
gonna proably go to the tailgate party. Just got to find a way to get there from anchorage.
 
Wow did not mean to sound so whinuy there. But seriously I am not sure where this urban you are talking about is. I would say at UAF but its swarming with cops.
 
former AKer. Skied alyeska and surrounding areas up until about 2 years ago when I moved to park city. Still come up a couple times a year but plan to move back when i'm 18.
 
Is tailgate week the best time to hit up Thompson's or is It pretty crowded. Is a week or two either side of it better?
 
I think tailgate week would be better to go, especially if you don't own a sled. I'm planning to barter my way to the tops of mountains. There deftly be a lot of people in the area though. Maybe if you Already have gear and people you could go a different time.
 
Yeh ... I don't really see what benefits you'd get by purchasing a ticket to the festival
 
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