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Ski Video Induces Retirement

Yep, that’s right, I’m calling it quits. Maybe I’ll take up fly fishing…picture me with the sun way down low on the horizon, light all golden and sparkly, wading out in my waders in some remote mountain stream and casting in that poetic way they did in A River Runs Through It. Sad movie, that, but otherwise Mighty Fine fishing. Oh—the video that has induced my early retirement? It’s Cody Townsend skiing the Terminal Cancer Couloir in Nevada’s Ruby Mountains (via The Goat).

Posted in Skiing | 5 Comments

Film Review: ‘Signatures’

I knew next to nothing about ‘Signatures’ when I popped it into my dvd player. I’ve kind of burned out on ski flicks, so when Sweetgrass Productions sent me an email mentioning their film and tour, I told them to send me a copy figuring I’d never hear from them again.

Surprisingly enough, they did send me a disk. Even more surprising: their film is stunning. To be honest, they had me as soon as I saw the disk’s menu screen.

This is a film made by artists who love skiing. Or maybe they’re skiers who happen to be artists. Whoever they are, they’re obsessed about filmmaking in a way that would probably put them in the funny farm if they worked a normal job. And thank god for it! What a beautiful, beautiful film. For tour dates (‘Signatures’ debuts Sept. 19 in Aspen) visit Sweetgrass Productions’ website. Don’t go expecting a typical ski film. Go instead with an open mind and an open heart. Want more than that? You can also read my Signatures Review for a little bit more info…

Posted in Film & Television | 1 Comment

Santa Monica Pier 100th & Fireworks

Santa Monica Pier celebrates its 100th anniversary tomorrow, September 9, 2009. The day will be packed with events, climaxing in a grand finale fireworks show at 8:50 p.m. There haven’t been fireworks at Santa Monica Pier in nearly twenty years, so this is a special treat indeed. Be aware that the whole day is likely to be one big zoo, especially when it comes to getting in and out of Santa Monica, and parking. I’m planning on biking in to see the fireworks, but even that could get challenging if enough people show up.

Posted in California | 0 Comments

Station Fire Video

Photographer Brandon Riza has posted a stunning time-lapse of the Station Fire. It’s definitely worth checking out. We could only see the top half of the smoke cloud from here in West L.A., and even that view was impressive.

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Review: VholdR ContourHD Helmet Cam

Some of you have been asking about the helmet cam I used on my climb up Whitney’s East Face. The answer is it was the creatively-capitalized VholdR ContourHD.

I’ll be honest: trying to cope with the ContourHD’s various quirks has driven me batty these past weeks, but the end result is pov climbing footage that I otherwise never would have gotten.

My bottom line on the ContourHD is that it’s a potent, if frustrating little tool capable of capturing jaw-dropping shots. Plus, for an HD-capable camera (1280×720 resolution), it’s cheap. Until Sony, Canon, or Nikon steps in, this is probably the helmet cam to beat. For the full scoop, see my VholdR ContourHD Helmet Camcorder Review.

Posted in Gear | 2 Comments