Notable Acheivements:

2004 - Ama Dablam, Nepal
2004 - Denali, Alaska: snowboard descent
2003 - Greenland Snowboard Expedition
2002 - Grand Teton, Wyoming: first winter descent of Stetner Couloir
2002 - Cho Oyu: attempted first American snowboard descent 2001 - Apolobamba Range, Bolivia
2001 - Antarctic Peninsula, Antarctica
2001 - Bolivia: Cerro Cuchillo, 18,590 ft.; Cololo, 19,406 ft.; Sajama, 21,550 ft. (highest in Bolivia)
2001 - South Georgia Island, Antarctica: Mt. Nordenskojd, 7,725 ft. (Didn't summit; rode within 500 feet of top 45 to 55 degrees for 3,500 vertical.)
2000 - Norway Fjord Expediton
1999 - Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, Columbia
1998 - Mt. Kenya, Kenya, Africa
1998 - Cordillera Blanca, Peru: Artesonraju, 19,800 ft., 50 to 55 degrees, 4,000 vertical
1997 - Tian Shan Range, Kyrgystan, Asia: various unnamed peaks between 16,500 and 18,000

So you were just over in the Himalaya on the cataract project. Whats that all about?

I was over there as a cameras asst with an hd camera, we got to bag a couple of peaks and check out all of the different eye camps and the amazing procedures that they go thru to help restore eyesight of the locals.

It was so great to be back in the Himalayas. They are just so daunting and mindblowing. There is so much unique to the area, like the juniper fires, smell of the incense, the prayer flags and the glorious people. It's a really unique cultural and life experience.








When was your first trip over to the Himalaya

2002 with Kristofer Ericsson. I’ve always had a dream of stepping in at 8000 metres and cruising down. Its been a dream to do something like that and Cho Oyu is a great peak because of the moderate technicality. It seemed the best objective at the time and still does. The last time I was at Cho, I went up too quick, maybe ignorance or over confidence, but I ended up with edema and had to come down, it was a bit of a bummer, but a great learning experience. Now I have the opportunity to do it again. I do have some other goals, like the Gasherbrum 2 and maybe Shish.







Whats Different about your upcoming trip this fall?

With this trip, the biggest thing is not only that we are all TNF athletes, but the Benegas bros are coming too, and Willy just summated Everest for the 5th time a couple weeks ago. So we are all going to acclimatize together and then the Bros are going to pioneer a new route and the rest of us will ski descend from the top. In addition to that we have a new style that we really want to give back to the areas that we travel and we’re linked with Global Giving and the Nepalese Youth opportunity foundation. Instead of just going and climbing, we want to give back to the places that have given us so much in experiences and joy. We just want to add some funds and support to help out the local communities.

When do you leave for your attempt and how have you been prepping for it?

The departure date is kind of loose, but probably around the 3rd week of August. In the last year I managed to summit 3 20,000 and I feel like I’ve gained a tonne of experience and feel really good about it. This last trip I was on was awesome. From High camp I was looking right at Cho Oyu watching the sun rise and set and burning its magnificent image into my mind.






You've travelled quite extensively - life seems pretty good.

I’ve been living the dream traveling all over the world, from Antarctica to Peru, Africa and so on – thanks by far to TNF

Just the other day back here in the tetons was so good. It was super fun, but its just been dumping down here right now and so we’re waiting for the corn to come.

Have you been riding for life?

I’ve been snowboarding for 18 years, starting here in Jackson and this will be my 30th winter here. I started like everybody, - comps, photos and film. Then I found out that I really loved getting out and away from everyone else. I got picked up by TNF 15 yrs ago and have been doing expeditions with them every since. I’ve been able to do some real dream trips

All trips are memorable, but are there a few that really stand out for you?

One of the most special places was Antarctica on the island of S. Georgia, We took a 19 metre boat from the Falklands and spent a month on the island. The snowboarding was phenom – super steep, relatively good snow and what really stood out was the wildlife. It was mindblowing, there were as many as 100,000 King penguins – this one beach was 7 miles across and as many as 30 thousand elephant seals – and other diff types of penguins. To realize that you’re there because you are snowboarding is pretty incredible, probably one of the most incredible places I’ll ever go – so raw and untouched





That sounds unreal. It seems like the Himalaya has taken your heart. What is it about there that is so special?

With the himalaya its not just the snowboarding, its being able to get to all these incredible places, terrain culture and wildlife. I just wish I would have started venturing over there sooner.

You've had some epic South American and other Asian adventures as well. How were those experiences?

Peru and Bolivia were mindbloing – and Kyrgystan. I’ve had almost nonstop travels since the early 90s and do about 2 expeditions per year.





It seems like you take a pretty humble approach to things and just go out and do cool expeditions.

The interesting thing is that a lot of people still don’t really know what I do – but its kind of fun to be a little under the radar, and a lot of dudes that I snowboarded with are still pounding nails, washing dishes and I have been lucky enough to live the dream – and having an ultracool wife and great son is awesome.

How/When did you get the taste for the Big Mountains and the Big Lines?

I kind of remember some of my early descents in the tetons around 88 and some of those trial by fire days. Back before the soft boots, I'd walk up with my mountaineering boots and then then putting the koflach liners in the sorrels, snapping on the sims bindings – crazy shit – I don’t know how I survived. I took a couple falls and learned how to self arrest. Living in Jackson – its hard not to get into the big mountains and the steep terrain. It’s the culture that helps you progress and push the limits. It was a long time ago that I wanted to get up high, and now I want to go higher and bigger.

Do you have some Backyard Favourites in the Tetons?

There's definitely some fun lines - 4000 footers that I like to hit a few times a year – they feel like the backyard, but there still a trek to get to.

Have you spent any time in Europe?

Not yet. I’ve always done these developing country expeditions and its just the satisfaction of being able to make it thru the hurt fest.. Its not always the descent – its also the climb, to be on your line. That’s what ski mountaineering is all about – learning and getting in tune with whats around you and being able to feel whats going on, get away from people and get the feel for whats around you.

It seems like the older you've gotten the more you are getting into the game. How does that work?

There is something about this lifestyle that has been like the fountain of youth for me – I mean I’m almost 40 but it just has kept the drive of really living, you know, getting that straight shot of life to the soul. Being able to still be sponsored is pretty sweet too.





So is this your year round gig - or do you have some other supplements to support the bank account?

I run flyfish tours in the summer, do some RandD trips with TNF, and put on a few slideshow gigs. Now I'm focusing more on the filming aspect of things.


Thanks a tonne John. Its been a real pleasure.

Thank - you