Havell's Travels: Kim Havell - Professional Freeskier, Mountaineer

Skiing the Tetons: Lines List I

Kim Havell — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 20:16:15 +0000

photo: Fred Marmsater

Jackson Hole Mountain Resort closed yesterday which marked, for me, my first full winter season in Jackson, WY. I had only visited a few weekends last winter until I finally moved to town in mid-May 2012. When the snow started flying in November there was enough accumulation to get up on Teton pass and start poking around while slowly getting to know new areas. When December rolled in, the snow continued and then suddenly January went dry. And so it was in January, in extremely cold temps, that I linked up with a small crew to start hunting for fresh snow and exploring bigger lines in Grand Teton National Park.

My first route in the Park was in May 2006 with an on-sight lead and ski of the Grand Teton in a non-record setting 16hr round-trip. The 2nd route that same weekend was also a long one-day adventure on the Skillet on Mt. Moran. I hadn’t been back to Wyoming until I came up to visit friends last year.

My season could not be what it is without the people with whom I have shared it. It is with great thanks to my incredible ski partners and new friends that I have had the chance to experience a lot of spectacular routes and beautiful locations. (Big thanks to Patrick McDermott, Brian Warren, & Tigger Knecht.)

Every day out there the friends lost last year have been on many of our minds. There were numerous days in January that I felt as if Romeo, Rudolph and others were along for the tours; it has been a healing way to remember them in the mountains.

So, while it is only April, I have found that this list of descents has grown naturally with like-minded partners who are excited to get outside and find fun ski adventures. Once the spring is wrapped up, I will do a thorough summary of this journey with words and photos of the people and the efforts that were involved.

ADDITIONS since April 8- JHMR closing (per mother nature):

Albright Peak

East Face

South Teton

SE Couloir

Taylor Peak

The Gash

Mt Woodring

The Fallopian Tube

Rockchuck

East Face

St. Johns

NE Ramp

Grand Teton

Otterbody route

Mt Moran

The Skillet

Teton Lines 2012/13:

Teewinot

- SE couloir

Grand Teton

- Stettner, Chevy, Ford (2nd descent)

- Otterbody route

Middle Teton

- Ellingwood Couloir

- East Face to Glacier Route

- Chouinard Couloir

Cloudveil Dome

- Sneaker couloir (2)

Buck Mtn

- East Face (2)

- EF/ Buckshot couloir

Prospectors Mtn

- Apocalypse couloir

- Son of Apocalypse couloir

- Pencil Couloir

South Teton

- Amora Vida Couloir

- SE Couloir

Disappointment Peak

- The Spoon Couloir

- The Red Sentinel Couloir

Nez Perce

- The Sliver Couloir

- The Nugget Couloir

- East Hourglass Couloir

- West Hourglass Couloir

Shadow Peak

- 4 Hour Couloir

Mt Wister

- SE Couloir

Static Peak

- East Face

Mt Moran

- The Skillet

Jackson Peak

- North Face

Wimpies Knob

- Peaches Couloir

- East Face

Albright Peak

- East Face

Mt Woodring

- The Fallopian Tube Couloir

Mt St Johns

- NE Ramp Route

Taylor Peak

- The Gash

Rockchuck Peak

- East Face

Pyramid Peak

- North Face

- East Face

25 Short

- Broken Thumb

- Turkey Chute

- East Face

- North Trees

Jackson Hole Mountain Resort

- North: Granite- A, AAA, B, Airforce chutes, NW Passage main couloir, Christinas, Dwarves, Spocks- Rap route, & others..

- South: 4Pines etc- Broken Branch, It Goes, Guides route, others..

- Cody Peak: Twice is Nice, Once is Enough, Pucker Face, 4 Shadows, No Shadows

- Pandoras Mtn: The Arch

- Cardiac Ridge: Shady Lady Couloir

- Rendezvous Peak: Martini Chutes, St Patty’s day Chute

- No Name Peak

- Zero-G

*Note: For more info on any of these lines, visit Steve Romeo’s www.tetonat.com or check out Tom Turiano’s Teton Skiing: A History & Guide

Friends on Nobody’s River

Kim Havell — Sat, 02 Mar 2013 18:33:29 +0000

Nobody’s River team

In May, four women will embark on a source to sea descent of the Amur River—the world’s third longest free-flowing river. Traveling 4,400 kilometers through three rugged and remote countries, the team plans to capture their journey through still and motion images to tell the story of this widely unknown watershed.

Over three months, winding through Mongolia, Russia and China, the team will document the challenges, highlights and of course the adventure of this incredible journey—as well as the threats that face the Amur River.

To help support their efforts, it takes 3 easy clicks: http://nobodysriver.org/3clicks

Some background from Team NR spokeswoman, Amber Valenti,

“The inception of the project began with a realization that my niece and nephew may never see a free-flowing river. They are becoming rarer by the moment. With this realization came another–as much as I have traveled and paddled across the globe, I have never experienced a large free-flowing river. They are practically mythical creatures in the modern world. But we still have an opportunity that our children may not–to experience these unique watersheds first hand. So what would stop us? Mostly fear. Fear of the unknown. Fear of failure. Fear of criticism. Fear of fear. But if we can get beyond that there is just a whole lot light.

This project is important to our global community in that it carries on the powerful message we’ve inherited from other adventurers, explorers and conservationists around the world– savor the world around you and each precious moment. Smell each flower. Appreciate each smile line on the face of another human being. Study the curves and cycles of the natural world. Immerse yourself in the messiest parts of it. Watch quietly. See what you can learn. Shake it up. But NEVER take yourself too seriously.”

After the team returns this summer, award-winning freelance director and cinematographer Skip Armstrong will join forces and lend his skills to edit the footage into a short film perfectly poised for international adventure and environmental film festivals in 2014.

“Storytelling is a job I love. And I do love stories with ingredients like 4 wild women [ Amber Valenti, Becca Dennis, Sabra Purdy, Krystle Wright], far away lands, wild rivers and a whole lot of logistical question marks. I’m honored that I’ll help craft this story into a film when these ladies return later this summer. ” – Skip Armstrong, Director and Cinematographer

———

To speak further to their project, they have a strong community supporting their efforts:

“Great stories make great films, and the Nobody’s River Project is a great story,” said Mark Deming, NRS Marketing Communications. “From the cast to the setting, it has all the elements of a classic adventure narrative. There’s no telling what exactly that narrative will be, but there’s no doubt it will be entertaining and inspiring.”

“Such ecological dynamism on a river so grand is increasingly rare.This source-to-sea expedition is sure to be full of surprises, yet there’s no doubt that the trip will bring into focus the unique environmental and cultural attributes of this great Asian-Pacific river that is relatively unknown outside of the margins of Mongolia, China and Russia.”

— Jason Rainey, International Rivers executive director

“When Amber reached out to us about the trip, it was a no brainer to partner up with the project… our goal is to empower human potential and you can’t get closer to that then going on an adventure that covers thousands of miles in Asia!”

— James Atkin, GOAL ZERO

“The Amur River is a vivid reminder of the rich biodiversity an untamed river can support,” said Rebecca Martin, Director of National Geographic’s Expeditions Council. “We are excited to support this brave team of Young Explorers grantees in exploring this important ecosystem, in true National Geographic fashion.”

“Polartec has assisted some of the world’s greatest athletes by funding their explorations with the Polartec Challenge Grant,” said Allon Cohne, Polartec Global Director of Marketing. “This year, women have dominated the field with some very inspiring trips including the Nobody’s River Project. We couldn’t be happier to support these four ladies. We’re sure our fabrics are as tough as they are.”

Skiing the Crags

Kim Havell — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 18:02:17 +0000

photo: Eric Seymour

One day after this week’s big storm at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, Jess McMillan and I went for a fun bluebird powder run in the Crags.

Video by Eric Seymour.

Click here to view the embedded video.

VERTFEST- Osprey Steep Clinics

Kim Havell — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 17:46:08 +0000

This Sunday, 2/17, join an incredible crew of outdoor & skiing enthusiasts at Vertfest - Alpental, WA.

There are lots of great clinics and I’ll be there on behalf of Osprey Packs running two sessions of women’s only steep skiing clinics. There’s 1 spot left for the am and a couple for the pm..and, a poster signing at 4pm.

http://www.outdoorresearch.com/en/or-community/vertfest/

Come join the fun!

Skiing Mt Etna – FSTV

Kim Havell — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 23:45:10 +0000

A humorous Sicilian adventure. The greatest moments of a trip are often defined through the culture of the destination. Mt Etna provided some of her own excitement as well. A fun look at this unique ski experience through the beautiful cinematography of Sweetgrass Productions, and the production team of Switchback Entertainment and Salomon Freeski TV.

Enjoy a different take on a different kind of ski adventure!

Click here to view the embedded video.

National Geographic Extreme Photo of the Week

Kim Havell — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 23:17:21 +0000

So thrilled to have my photo selected for this week’s National Geographic’s “Extreme Photo of the Week”.

And, it’s an all ladies shot with Erica Engle as the skier and myself as the photographer.

Here’s the link:

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC ADVENTURE – Extreme Photo of the Week

Skiing Mt Etna

Kim Havell — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 21:51:00 +0000

This story was supposed to publish this month in a major ski magazine in print but I was just notified it did not go to press. So, here it is below with the story behind the scenes. Our Salomon Freeski Episode – Etna- goes live in 2 weeks.

In the interim, please also enjoy the latest episode released yesterday: Roots: Austria

—————————————————

Beauty and the Beast

The spray of liquid magma burst into the night sky. Mt Etna was erupting, as she does once roughly every two months, and we were skiing under the orange glow of her latest paroxysm.

In early February 2012, a promising Italian snow forecast had us chasing a storm to Sicily, an island on the Mediterranean Sea. While much of the U.S. languished in a dry early winter Europe was being blasted by heavy snowfall and Italy was deep in the weather pattern. With a lofty goal of ski exploration on Sicily’s notorious active volcano, Etna, our team thought it best to aim for winter-like conditions.

With the promise of powder, we booked tickets and landed two short days later in the coastal Sicilian city of Catania. Geographically, Sicily is the soccer ball to Italy’s boot. Assembled at the airport, we had a vague plan of action. On assignment for Salomon Freeski TV, filmmakers Nick Waggoner and Zac Ramras, photographer Grant Gunderson, and Salomon freeskiers Elyse Saugstad and I loaded into a white minivan and drove out of the city and up towards the volcano.

Reigning above numerous fragile, cozy old towns, Mt Etna basks in a sea breeze that wafts over its small, scattered cones, jagged igneous black-rock ridges, and wide, fluted flanks. Steep, rocky lines run down parts of her face along with miles of more benign terrain to descend. Topping out at almost 11,000ft, Etna’s high position provides unobstructed views of the coastline, which blend seamlessly into the olive groves and vineyards dotting the landscape.

The quaint Sicilian town of Nicolosi was our home for the next 10 days. From the lower vantage point we admired the mountain, scoped our dream lines, and we waited. Each morning we were greeted with unpredictable weather and the repercussions of an eruption that included turbulent cloud cover, and low visibility for skiing on her relatively blank, high-alpine expanse. Café-bound, we sipped our espressos, snacked on arranchinas (popular rice cones & balls served hot with a variety of inner ingredients) and waited for sunshine and clear windows to explore the vast terrain and the best ski lines on the active volcano.

We quickly realized we had to accept Mt Etna at her best and her worst. She threw out strong winds, thick fog, serpent-like clouds, and serious eruptions. She rumbled, coughed, spit, and spewed volcanic bits, with lava flow and liquid magma sliding down her slopes. We inhaled and skied ash debris but also enjoyed a few short sunny, clear stretches with a steady refresh of white snow from the constant storm cycle.

With slow access via an ancient gondola, creaky chairlifts, and struggling pomas, we got a gradual boost up 740 meters of hillside. Passionate locals joined us in gondola line each morning with their short carving skis and big smiles. Pouring out of the cabins, we warmed-up with the Sicilians on a few of the groomed options at one of Etna’s two ski resorts.

After sampling the mellow in-bounds terrain, our team headed into the backcountry. Though there is easy access to ski tour and explore the many additional acres of more challenging off-resort offerings, there is absolute solitude. We had any line we chose all to ourselves.

As we ventured across Etna’s broad landscape, we crossed high ridgelines that protected hidden valleys of rocky couloirs, mini-volcano cones, and small amphitheatres with mini-golf-like terrain. Dropping off one sastrugi-ridden ridge to the West, we skied wind-buffed corridors and then toured back up and skied corn back to the resort. Checking out the Volcano cones, we set a hard edge on each icy turn on the windward slopes and then skied packed powder on the leeward. Skiing into the craters was almost always soft as the sun reflected heat into the white belly of their inner bowls. We got a taste of everything.

One evening as the setting sun cast luminous colors over the horizon and the volcano erupted behind us, Nick turned to us and asked, “Should we hike up and get some ski shots next to the lava?”

Elyse and I looked at each other, then looked at Nick, and said, “No, thanks.”

Though there were many cultural highlights we were there to ski. When the visibility was poor up high, due to Etna’s unusually deep snowpack during our visit, we were able to find good alternative options. We ducked into heavily wooded hillsides off the winding road up to the resort. From a skier perspective, the forests needed some pruning, but we found tight alleyways and fun, smooth powder skiing under the protected canopy of the towering trees.

The tempestuous visit was a beautiful and healthy reminder that nature is very, very close. Etna was in charge and we were on her agenda. After ten days of patience, waiting, and unusual skiing adventures on Etna’s flanks, our U.S. team “Magma” was provided with a couple of lessons: don’t book a ticket to Etna for a storm and Sicily is beautiful but Etna can be a tricky beast.

Deep December

Kim Havell — Fri, 28 Dec 2012 16:27:06 +0000

Long delay in posting as the new website is live soon and I was trying not to mess with the system. Huge thanks to WIDSIX and John Roope for the support, hours, and design of the pending new site.

During web post delays, check out Instagram and Twitter:

www.instagram.com/kimhavell

www.twitter.com/kimhavell

New Media:

Teton Gravity Research: Cherry Picking Series- Tordrillo Mountain Lodge: Line #1

The Ski Journal: Captain Vague, Making Babes: JHBF

Skiing Magazine: How to Lose A Guy in a Ski Season

……………………………..

I am so thrilled to be in Jackson. It has been an incredible start to the season with ample snowfall and lots of learning. I’m very grateful to a long list of ski partners who have all been kind enough to show me around.

I will return to some trip reports at times but, for now, below are some highlights and photos. Though I have a long, long ways to go, I have enjoyed getting more familiar with JHMR and the side-backcountry access, as well as Teton Pass and the lower peaks near and around the park. It has also been nice to get in some big days in Grand Teton National Park and I am looking forward to many more of those to come. I have some dream lines in mind if the conditions are right this year.

We also started filming “HECUBA” and are looking forward to getting out our trailer out in the near future.

Photos:

Locations: Teton Pass, Pandora’s Arch, Pyramid Peak, Grand Targhee, Togwotee Pass, Son of Apocalypse Couloir, JHMR, & more.

Riders: Jason Smith, Crystal Wright, Andrew Whiteford, Tristan Greszko, Patrick McDermott, Doug Workman, Jess McMillan, Erica Engle, & more. Thanks also to Michelle Smith, Jonathan Selkowitz, Brian Warren, Rob Hess, Rick Armstrong, Nat Patridge, Dan Starr, Julia Heemstra, Reed Finlay, Brian Mulvihill.

And, Steve Romeo, Nate Soules, Rob Liberman, Chris Rudolph, & Jim Jack…you are in my thoughts.

rip it. rip it good.

Kim Havell — Wed, 05 Dec 2012 21:50:26 +0000

Gear chat with Backcountry.com about Salomon Freeski products for 2012/13.

Click on photo or link below.

Backcountry.com Gear Talk

trailer: The Water Tower

Kim Havell — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 02:32:33 +0000

Colorado-based photographer/filmmaker, athlete and friend Pete McBride has just released this beautiful trailer for a film about our journey to Kenya this past summer with Challenge21. Pete & Jake Norton worked hard to capture images and film during our adventure and carefully documented the water crisis in this country. The film will be beautiful on many levels. Enjoy!