In the intricate dance of life, a poetic symmetry often leads us full circle, returning us to where we first set foot. In the tapestry of my professional skiing experiences, one vivid thread connects me to the starting point of my first The North Face backcountry-winter camping expedition in 2010. Departing from Aoraki/Mt Cook Airport, our adventure led us to the Liebig Range with Aussie and NZ teammates, where we set up camp on Ridge Glacier. The elements were unpredictable, and as the weather patterns closed in, a frenzied urgency enveloped us. We hastily changed our plans and set a new route through the Cass Valley, racing against an impending storm that compelled us to seek refuge at Memorial Hut. That first backcountry escapade remains etched in my memory, a lasting marker and the foundational cornerstone for all subsequent adventures. Much like a three-sixty-degree circle, life weaves a narrative that brings us back to where my journey began.
Fast forward thirteen years to July, 2023, and there I was, leading a new crew of The North Face athletes hailing from both sides of the Tasman on their first backcountry mission through the Gammick Range and the Cass Valley on what could be described as a sufferfest. And while the crew I led out were all high-end athletes, there ended up being loads
