Patagonia 2008 (week 1, Ushuaia)

The following is a trip report using pics from the point and shoot camera’s of Andy Jacobsen, Noah Howell and Dan Grolley. It’s not the high quality ski action shots, but more the travel and “lifestyle” pics. World renowned photographer Jay Beyer shot some beautiful images, which he might let us post at a future date, but I wanted to put something up while it’s still fresh.

It’s hard not to think one has been wasting the “summertime” up north with all these snow covered mountains down south just waiting to be skied.

I can’t confirm that Ushuaia really is the beginning of “Everything”, like they claim. It was the beginning of one of the best adventures I’ve had the privilege of being part of.

The 5 of us met up in Buenos Aires and headed straight for “The end of the World”.

Left to right: Andy Jacobsen, Dan Grolley, Dede O’Mara, Noah Howell, Jay Beyer.

How did we end up here? All credit goes to this man, Paul Turecki; guide, porter, spanish speaker, tatoo artist (see part 2), weather forecaster, and master of good com’s. He’s a good guy to have around.

We met Paul in AK a few years ago and he invited us down south this summer. He arranged a little apartment for the week.

A bit tight with all the gear and 6 people, but the price was right ($3.50 per person, per night U.S.).

Dede was a great sport putting up with 5 dudes who were trying to see who could go the longest without showering (the shower didn’t work, so it wasn’t too challenging).

Luckily we brought along some bootpourri to keep the room fresh. All you do is place them by the heater and the room takes on an instant almost overpowering aroma.

Vast terrain all around town and there were various ways to access it. During our week there we toured off the road-side in the Valle de lobos, lapped some lift served sidecountry for a few days at Cerro Castor, and we started off with a one-ride into the backcountry using this little double chair out of town at Glacier Martial.

Dan and Andy (a bit like bosom buddies).

Jay pointing out the town of Ushuaia below our beloved mountain mistress Olivia. We all vowed to return and ski her someday.

We met some local broboarders who seemed to be some of the only folks interested in the backcountry. They had just received their sled that had been in transit for 7 months from Washington state. They are stashing the snowmachine in the woods because Argentina doesn’t have any snowmobiles or registration and they’re not legally supposed to have one. Typical rebel snowboarders.

Great group of guys! They gave us good beta on where to ride and invited us to a backyard lamBBQ. A total blood sausage fest!

We considered buying a dictionary, but found that this amazing product “Quilmes”, really helps gap the language barrier.

Delicious!

It’s a much bigger city (65,000) than any of us expected. Seems to be quite the ski destination for the wealthier Argentine population that enjoys to ski inbounds. Main street was a bit like many of the tourist ski towns of the west.

But with strict bathroom laws.

Here’s Jay, doing his best to keep his needs within the toilet. Luckily nobody was fined!

The view of Olivia from town.

We shot some amazing footage that we can’t wait to put up, but we’re heading on tour soon so it may be a bit before we can get something on the web.

It was an action packed week that seems like only a dream now. One week isn’t enough time, but this was a great eye opener to all the skiing possibilities.

We rested well en route to El Chalten and the central Patagonia region.

Part 2 of the Patagonian adventure coming soon.

Submitted by Noah Howell