FOX GLACIER. Spring Mission with The North Face

I just got back from an epic spring mission in the NZ Alps. This season in NZ has been a long one for me, and I definitely didn’t think I’d be skiing on the 1^st of November.I headed up with fellow North Face team rider Fraser Mcdougal, Geoff Small our guide, Niel Kerr from NZ skier mag and Jase Hancox (basket productions).

Fraser and I in the chopper

Traveling up Fox Glacier by heli

We headed up to Fox Glacier, Tai Poutini Westland National Park by helicopter to test our rope skills and ski some epic lines. We stayed in a NZAC’s (New Zealand Alpine Club) Pioneer Hut.

Pioner Hut in the distance

We had the best weather anyone could of asked for. As soon as we arrived on the glacier we were scoping lines left right and center. Geoff our ski guide suggested we ski the West face of a run called Haydunner. The only way up was to climb so it was total glacier travel in action with skis on the pack and crampons on the ski boots with ice axe in hand. By the time we got to the top the snow had softened to nice spring corn and was a fantastic run down.During the trip we also worked on some rope skills that were new to me. Some of these skills included rappelling, crevasse reuse, and snow anchors.

On the way up to ski the west side of Haydunner.

It’s great to be able to learn new skill to get up into the mountains and ski faces that wouldn’t normally be accessible by helicopter, ski-doo, or chair lift.

This trip really opened my eyes up to another aspect of skiing that I haven’t experienced.

Sunset sessions with the film crew. This would have to be my favorite shot. Fraser hiking.