Guest Research by Mike Meru
Photography: Michael Aasheim
On my Endless Search for winter and to shred every month of the calendar year, my travels took me to Aspen, Colorado to hike and ride the Conundrum Couloir.
The adventure began Friday night, Mike Meru, Michael Aasheim, and I left Salt Lake City at 7 p.m and arrived in aspen by 2 a.m. We camped at the trail head and used Mikes razor to cut off a few miles on the old mining road. The hike began with a 1,000ft loose rock scramble up to a circular beep blue frozen lake, where we got the first view of our line! Preparing our selfs for the climb we strapped on the crampons, took out an ice, and started our way up the steep couloir. After another thousand feet of climbing we topped out on our line at 14,060ft! It's a pretty incredible high climbing to 14k amazing view and great sense of accomplishment!
After cautiously making our way down the gnarly steep icy spine runnels, Mike and I decided to hike back up for another run while Michael headed to the opposing ridge to set up photos for another angle.
The maroon bells are visible from the top of conundrum peak so we decided to take a quick stop to see the bells a little closer and scope some new lines to to add to next seasons hit list!
With our main objective accomplished and another free day on our hands, we decided to do some canyoneering! Around 9 p.m., we left Aspen and and ended up in the desert of Hanksville, Utah at 3am. The Milky Way was fully stretched across the sky so we decided to play with the cameras for a bit. I'm always in awe of how small we are in this so called Universe...
After the 4 hour nap, we started our trek to the top of the canyon before the Southern Utah heat set in. We made our way through Hogwarts Canyon, which is an awesome route if you find your way there. Including 4 rappels, one of the rappels is through an arch, and the final one is a 90ft over hanging rappel!
It's pretty amazing what you can jam into 48 hrs! From the top of a 14er to rapping down into a slot canyon this weekend was from one extreme to the next! For now, It's on to the next search....here's to an epic 2017/2018 Winter.
Live Life & Research,
Tanner Crow - Yeti Research Team
]]>SLC Edit from Yeti Research Co. on Vimeo.
Quality products employed in this video:
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The Process - Mitt Baking 101 from Yeti Research Co. on Vimeo.
]]>The Outer Banks of North Carolina...a barrier island in the Mid-Atlantic fueled by blue collar fishing and summer tourism. If you're from VA or NC, it's your go to beach destination for family vacation. For the rest, it's a mysterious stretch of the US that many visit to enjoy a relaxed beach experience with a mixed bag of activities to indulge in. The vibe is chill, sunsets are amazing, and the waves can make surfers across the world salivate.
During hurricane season, surfers up and down the East Coast keep an eye on the Outer Banks...waiting for that perfect window when conditions are just right to produce world class waves. When the wind switches West and the groundswell pulses; surfers flock like the great migration. The mechanics are simple...this island is furthest point closest to the continental shelf on the Eastern seaboard and is in the shape of a bow. It's a magnet for any type of swell: low pressure systems, wind swells, hurricane swells, groundswells.
The 2016 Atlantic Hurricane Season has produced an average to above normal number of named storms. Unfortunately, the Outer Banks has been the epicenter for significant damage in the Mid-Atlantic from all these hurricanes; more recent Hurricane Matthew which was a week prior to Nicole. As always, the community rallies together and the pieces quickly get placed back together...but the aftermath always remains in the heart.
With these storms one thing is certain...there will be swell. Whether the wind cooperates is another story; which hasn't been the case much of this Fall. But, from October 17-20; Hurricane Nicole stayed offshore as she came up the East Coast. Just enough to keep the winds light & offshore, but close enough to send damn near perfect surf to a community eagerly waiting for some positivity to swing in their favor. The surf was pumping, the temps were warm, and the sun was out. Naturally, we couldn't miss this opportunity. Below is our research...
surfer: Kyle Cochran @beach_dog
surfer: Kyle Cochran @beach_dog
surfer: Kyle Cochran @beach_dog
surfer: Tommy Fink @t_fink
All photos taken by Blaine Teets @blaineteets.
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Sour Afternoons |A Skateboarding Short Film from Brian Bitterfeld on Vimeo.
During this past winter's Research Tour, we had the pleasure of hitting Aspen as our final destination. We met some good people there that took us in and showed the YRC crew some proper hospitality. We've kept in touch since then and hyped that they are supportive of our vision. Here's a quick short of the homies getting after it at their local skatepark, Rio Grande.
Riders: Aaron Hooper @filmforfood, Ryan Brown @hand_pressed, and Nick Becker @mystiksnyx.
Film/Cinematography: Brian Bitterfeld @bitter_pictures.
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Our camp hats are first of 3 styles of hats dropping this Spring & Summer! A versatile hat that will aid your research wherever your travels take you. Available in burgundy and camo in the YRC store. $25
Yeti Research Camp Hat from Billy Research on Vimeo.
]]>Jay is progressing freeskier based out of Revelstoke, British Columbia. Jay is no stranger to putting in hard work to find fresh lines and hitting new features. His ability to ski deep pow, drop cliffs, float through pillows is what sets him apart from most skiers and is why he is a perfect fit for Yeti Research Company. Jay spends a lot of his time at Rogers Pass and the neighboring zones between Revelstoke and Golden. Jay's other sponsors include: Liberty Skis & Fresh Air Kelowna Board Shop.
Follow Jay on Instagram: @UPHILLJAY
Tanner is a up and coming snowboarder based out of Salt Lake City, UT. Tanner spends a lot of his time skinning in the areas of the Wasatch Front. An area in Utah that offers a variety of terrain: deep snow, steep faces, cliff drops and plenty of backcountry access. Tanner's vision of exploring new zones around Utah and hard work on the mountain are why we are so proud to have him represent Yeti Research Company. Tanner's other sponsors include: Ltd. Optics & Oz Snowboards.
Find Tanner on Instagram: @TCROW_SNOW
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Winter Storm Jonas hit the Mid-Atlantic hard and the Yeti Research Team was on it. A strategic strike up to their home mountain, Snowshoe West Virginia, was the proper call. Storm total was 36 inches and the crew took advantage of every moment. Check out the their video for more documentation.
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After the holidays, Yeti Research Explorer, Peter Squicciarini aka @streeterpeter, was able to get back behind the lens and do what he does best....capture epic moments. Pete is from the Hampton Roads area of Virginia and currently resides in Norfolk. His positive attitude and pursuit of new experiences and adventures is why we are stoked to have him apart of the Yeti Research family.
His first research mission for 2016: Expose the Great Dismal Swamp in all it's glory. The Great Dismal Swamp, now a wildlife refuge, is 112,000 acres of untouched marsh extending between Norfolk, VA to Elizabeth City, NC. Some claim that back in the day (1800s), the original swamp was estimated to be 1,000,000 acres in size of forest wetlands.....gnarly! With everything in the world being overdeveloped, this refuge serves as protection for these wetlands and it's wild inhabitants. The Great Dismal Swamp is raw and mysterious....just how we like it.
I finally got a chance to catch up with Pete and see what this whole adventure was about. If you thought this place was killer from what I've told you, check out the documentation and interview:
"Swamp Research" with @streeterpeter
Billy Research: "Pete, what's good homey? Being that you live near the beach, have all that coastline, and a shit ton of insane locations to shoot photography from....what inspired you to pick out a place such as a swamp? I mean, what's so crazy about this place?"
@streeterpeter: "Yeah Billy, we have a ton of water around Hampton Roads. And that definitely creates a lot of spots to shoot, but a lot of it is developed and not ideal for night sky photography. I became interested in the Great Dismal Swamp when I saw that it was very dark on a light pollution map. From there, I just started researching it. Looking at photos and trail maps, and ultimately taking a day time recon mission to see it in person. Once I got to Lake Drummond, I knew it was gonna go down."
Billy Research: "Epic. I know you reside in the 757....and recently, that area has been getting dumped on with a ton of rain with cloudy skies. Since this was a recent trip, how critical did timing of the weather factor in when planning this strategic strike to the swamp?"
@streeterpeter: "For sure. We have had pretty awful weather lately, especially for shooting stars. Its either been cloudy or raining for about the last month. Conditions are everything in photography. When you plan around weather and light, you set yourself up for success. About a week out, I saw one day and night was forecasted to be clear, and I knew this was my chance to get out there. It also just happened to line up with a late moon rise, so it was even darker."
Billy Research: "That's rad! And I love how you pre-planned that strike with the weather. I do the same shit when surfing or snowboarding....barrels and pow pow! Ok...ok, next question. Dude, so I've heard the Great Dismal Swamp is very raw and at times, very hard to access. What were some of the challenges from an accessing point of view and how difficult was it to pick out ideal spots to shoot?
@streeterpeter: "This place is straight undeveloped. Its not like your average state park with trails all over. Its a swamp, with only two trails. And bears. And beavers. And old ass big trees. It looks like Jurassic park in there. Its crazy. But anyways, I had to see both accesses to the lake to decide which one would be better to shoot. Trail 1 was 6 miles that you could drive in the daytime. Trail 2 was 4 1/2 miles that you can walk or bike. I ended up choosing Trail 1, only problem was you can't drive it at night. So we took had to take mountains bikes in. 12 miles round trip with temps one the 30s was no joke...."
Billy Research: "That's crazy bro, I had no idea....hope you had some YRC gear to keep you warm, haha! So look, by now you've found your spot in the swamp and you're posted up ready behind the lens. And please forgive me if I don't sound like a photographer here....but by the look of some of your captures, it seems as if you have a knack for really capturing the stars and balancing the contrast over the water and surrounding features. Without giving out any secrets, how do you approach getting a shot as unique as the ones on this trip, furthermore, all your photos? I mean there must be a ton of variables that go into play here, right?"
@streeterpeter: "Yeah dude. There are a ton of factors and things to consider. My shot planning really starts the second I see a location in person. Im looking at different compositions. Different subjects and perspectives. I typically will work my way around a location, shooting from many different angles. Im also looking at the compass to manipulate how stars will move during a star trail shot. I just try to get creative, try new things. Some work, some don't. Its all part of research…."
Billy Research: "Damn right! And for my final question Pete. A lot of times, people have a moment of nostalgia and self-fulfillment when exploring out of their element or comfort zone, as you did in this case. Did you ever have one of those moments that night in the Great Dismal Swamp? If you did, can you elaborate on that experience?"
@streeterpeter: "Yeah dude I live for nights like that. When we got there, Me and my boy (@7lobo) got there, laid our bikes down, looked up at the sky and just didn't say a word. We were in awe of the swamps beauty and desolation at night. It is super rewarding to have all of your research, planning, and time come together in the way you intended. Also, getting out of your comfort zone and going into mainly unexplored areas is a rush. I looked all over the internet for night time photos of the swamp and they just weren't out there. Being the first that I know of to shoot this location at night is pretty cool. Its like going into uncharted territories. Creativity, progression, self growth and improvement, adventure…. Those are the things that push me as a photographer and as a person…."
Well, there you have it.....The Great Dismal Swamp has been exposed! Peter's excursion into the swamp was epic to say the least and we are pumped to be the ones to feature this Research Mission. For now, it's on to the next destination. Make sure to follow Peter on Instagram for amazing photos and experiences at @streeterpeter. We look forward to seeing what else he has up his sleeve in the future.
Until next time, signing off.....
Billy Research
*** All photos taken by Peter Squicciarini @streeterpeter ***
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The Yeti Research Team is looking forward to our two week tour across the Northern Rockies in February. But for now, strikes like these will suffice for the team. Next up on the list; our home Snowshoe Mountain and Taos. Keep posted on our latest travels and adventures.
Skier: Tawrad Anwar @tanwarskis. First run of the year.
Photos taken by: Steve Mapp @spmapp
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There are some advantages to living in the Mid-Atlantic. The winter hits later and Fall sticks around a bit longer. "It's one thing to hike and camp out during the spring & summer months. But, we knew the temps were going to be dropping for this trip. Since we didn't have any snow and none of the resorts were open, we did the next best thing...hike/camp in the cold. We embraced it as a warm up for prepare for the snowboard season haha. All in all, it was worth it I feel." Mapp says.
Check out the pictures from Steve and Blaine's trip. Spy Rock, Blue Ridge Mountains, Virginia.
#yetiresearch
Photos taken by:
Steve Mapp @spmapp
Blaine Teets @blaine_teets
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This particular weekend, a system came through and sent an amazing groundswell to much of the East Coast producing optimal head to overhead surf with clean conditions. The crew for this research mission: Blaine Teets, Kyle Cochran, Ben Cobb, and Bryan Harvey. Based in the Mid-Atlantic, all four call the Outer Banks of North Carolina their home break. Teets is based in Richmond, VA, but will get down there any chance there's a sign of good waves. "Since I can remember, we always hit our home mountain Snowshoe for their opening on Thanksgiving weekend, but they pushed their opening back two weeks because of the warm weather. I think the latest I've ever paddled out is Christmas? Usually, I call it quits on surf January and February and then will get back out there late March when the snow season is winding down. I saw the swell forecast for the weekend, which was good...but I had no idea it was going to be that good." Teets said.
For Ben Cobb, Kyle Cochran, and Bryan Harvey, they are talented surfers that are locals in the Outer Banks. For them, these types of random swells are why they call the Banks their home. An amazing place in the Mid-Atlantic that is local driven and produces some of the best waves on the East Coast. "We've had some super fun days this Fall. But it was good to feel some Carolina Juice again!" Cobb says. This Thanksgiving Sunday, we were all blessed with good waves and warm weather. It was nice to have the peak to ourselves as the crew.
Documentation:
Photo: Bryan Harvey @bryanharveyfilms
Photo: Blaine Teets @blaine_teets
Photo: Blaine Teets @blaine_teets
Photo: Bryan Harvey @bryanharveyfilms
Til' next swell,
Billy Research #yetiresearch
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Thanks to Kevin Bauer and Bam's Barbecue & Sauce Co. Delicious bbq sandwiches were devoured.
Our good friends from Grinding Stone provided the music.
Also, we had a ton of help from family and friends; we couldnt have done it without them.
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