CR in Mt Hood with PBP part deux

Apr 27 2009

Hello again. I have some more blogs about the trip I'm on. Here they are, enjoy.

Day 5:

Today we took our two-minute drive from our condo over to Ski Bowl. The park and film crew were putting together our next feature when we arrived. The feature is an over-under cross jump set up. It is one of the most interesting features I have ever seen built.
The concept is to have one skier hit the big jump and have the other skier hit the smaller jump under him. The jumps look like freestyle moto jumps, and the concept is a bit intimidating. I am feeling a little uneasy about this set up and will see how I feel as things come together.
As the sun sets, it is beautiful. To see something like this, recognize, and appreciate this day in life, brings me a joy. I give thanks today for my health, family&friends, and everything that has brought this session to come together on this day in life.
The crew keeps constructing this unique feature. It looks so beautiful and fun to hit. The lips of the jumps are super poppy and the landings are looking a touch flat. As the night arrives the feature is firming up. Everything is done, and it is looking like a perfect ice sculpture / GNARLY.
Yesterday I was feeling the vibe so well, I was able to step to my highest level of park skiing in five years with comfort. Tonight things feel different. I have been consciously stepping beyond my comfort levels to push myself even when I am not 100% comfortable, but tonight life is talking. Sometimes when you listen carefully enough, life talks and lets you know when things are good and when they are not.
I'm not feeling it tonight so I am going to step down. Things look so good and I want to hit the feature, but the safety and feel of things is not right. At times, I know when to push and when to step down. Tonight is just one of those night, and the good news is there will be plenty more of something tomorrow.

Day 6:

It is another beautiful day today. The sun is out and my body is feeling good. The crew shot the jumps last night and got some cool shots. The feature didn't work out exactly as it was built to, but the crew worked it out and shot it.
So much effort went into building last nights jump feature so we want to use it for another feature. We pushed one of the jumps forward and down. Then we put a flat-down box on the landing. The concept of the feature is a step-up to flat-down box.
I haven't been hitting many rails this year, but this feature is looking really fun. I am trying to think of what tricks I can do. I know the crew of athletes I came with is going to kill it in there own way. My goal today is to work MY rail game and not get caught up in what others are doing. I am going to do me and let others be themselves.
I watch as a couple people start hitting it. It is looking smooth and fun. I put my skis on and hike to the top of the in-run. The speed is looking good as I start testing it. I decide that I want to do a back-side switch up, 270 off. As I start hitting it, I am finding that with the speed for the step up I am only hitting the top of the box for a second. That makes the switch up pretty fast and hectic. It almost seems easier to do a 270 on.
I have never done a 270 onto a flat-down box. I see it in my head, but have always slipped out trying them onto a down box. I have been in my zone today (which I now know is referred to as "I.P.S"., Ideal Performance State), and my body and mind feel right. "Positive Vibrations," as Bob Marley puts it, are strong today.
I find, what I have been afraid of during my recovery is committing to stepping out of my comfort level into the unknown. If there was ever a day to step out, it's today. I decide that I am going for the 270, I am going to DO IT, not just count on it happening.
I drop in and am set on 270. I'm not thinking about the speed and come in too slow. I hit the front of the box and roll down the rest on my back, SPANK! First attempt... not good. I'm not going out like that though, so I get right up and start hiking. I went up for the second attempt with my speed in mind. I stomped the 270, a bit deep on the rail, but got it out of the way. Now all I need is to find my speed.
On my third attempt I find the speed. I pull off the 270 but it is shaky. Now I am getting comfortable with the speed and just need to keep going. Attempt after attempt, I keep trying. I am getting some here and there but not exactly how I want. I want it to look solid, not just pulled off. After hiking about ten times, since I am not taking the sled until I stomp, I get it! 270 on 270 off.
I am stoked because I have the feel of the trick but I didn't do it how I want. I go back up for another try. I am thinking about; being strong and not moving during my 270, then stomping on the rail and setting up for a 270, then getting the smooth 270 off, to a sick After-Bang... shit, I have to if I am hanging with these kids.
I try again and again, but it isn't exactly how I want. Then I decide to stop thinking about it. I am just going to do what I know. I step up with with full commitment, to doing and not thinking, and booyah! I get it right away, 2sev on, 2sev off. That is the zone/I.P.S. I am looking for. That is the state of mind I am starting to get familiar with again, stepping up to intimidation with 100% confidence and commitment. Skiing is coming along really well now that I am starting to find that again.
The shoot is done now. I am headed back to Tahoe to keep the shred alive and be with my sexy lady! Stoked! It has been an amazing winter and I am happy man. My skiing has come very far this year and is still moving up, fast. I am going to do some helmet cam'ing back home, and keep pushing myself to do better.
Keep an eye out for more days on the shred mission of life.
Peace

Log In to Comment

Not registered? Register Now