Tsirku Through Hadley Hammer's Eyes

I get asked often how I manage fear on the top of a steep line. I feel like the most helpful trick for me is to take a moment before dropping in and take in the view. It sounds cheesy and simple, but  it’s hard to feel gratitude and fear at the same time.

Watch all three Tsirku fims here.

A lot of logistics went into this trip. It was a constant shuffling of gear, lodging, transportation. It was a great learning experience for me to figure out how larger scale expeditions run.

Watch all three Tsirku fims here.

Sam Anthamatten spends a down day skiing and exploring the ice caves around the area. Most of the trip was considered a “down day”. It takes incredible mental strength to go from waiting to skiing a technical face like Corrugated, without much notice.

Watch all three Tsirku fims here.

When it comes to safety and riding, Sam and Ralph know how to be serious, but I have a feeling that in this moment they were more likely scheming up their next joke or prank.

Watch all three Tsirku fims here.

In order to feel comfortable skiing Corrugated, we spent as much time as we could warming up on similar slopes. The trip was a series of firsts for me, and it was definitely a game of trusting myself and keeping my confidence high in order to descend the lines.

Watch all three Tsirku fims here.

I would argue that Sam Anthamatten is currently the best all around mountain athlete in the world. From guiding high peaks, to climbing cracks in the desert, to his technical skiing ability mixed in with style and tricks. Underrated is an understatement when it comes to Sam.

Watch all three Tsirku fims here.

This line ended in frighteningly rock hard runnels, but boy was this turn sweet.

To some, faces like this look impossible, to skiers, these faces are what we dream about.

Watch all three Tsirku fims here.

Every day the goal is to have an epic day in the mountains and then come home safely and celebrate the day with a fire and a good meal.

Watch all three Tsirku fims here.