Jeremy Jones heads FURTHER into Wrangell St. Elias Nat Park, AK with pilot Paul Klaus
Welcome back to the In My Boots 2012 interview series. We’re jumping in the boots of each our team riders to get the lowdown on what their best trips and deepest days of the winter were. Hopefully their adventures will inspire you to get out on your own epic shred missions next winter.
For our final interview of the series we have none other than the legendary freerider Jeremy Jones who spent the winter filming in Austria, Alaska and California for his soon-to-be-released movie FURTHER.
Weapon of Choice:
161 Carbon Solution
Jeremy soaks up the last light in the Wrangell St. Elias, Alaska
Where did you ride this winter?
The Austrian Alps, Swiss Alps, Wrangell St Elias Mountains in Alaska and my home range - the Sierra.
What was your favorite shred destination this winter?
Going to the Wrangells this past spring was very special for me. I have ridden a lot north and south of the range but always avoided the Wrangells because of their reputation for being so big and gnarly.
It was so cold in Austria Jeremy ended up bailing on his tent and sleeping in the Igloo
What destination did you visit this winter that you would recommend to other backcountry snowboarders?
I highly recommend every snowboarder to experience Europe on a good winter. This past winter the riding was good to the valley floor for the first time in years. When it gets like that you can ride powder all day every day. I ended up spending 6 weeks in the Alps this season because the riding was so good.
Did you visit any new zones that surprised you or any backyard zones that were all-time?
The Sierra had record low snow levels this winter so this past season I did not ride any new lines at home but the mountains rode like a completely new range. Everything was steeper, more featured, and more technical. It made Tahoe way more exciting and I had some really special days. Europe was the opposite. There was so much snow that we were able to ride a bunch of first descents on faces that are normally not rideable.
Every line the Further crew rode in the Wrangells was exposed do to the huge open bergschrunds.
Best line of the year:
Probably the “Space Needle” in the Wrangells. It sits on the side of a mountain that is covered in seracs and is the only protected line on the mountain. Just to spot the line took ten days. I was right at the edge of my comfort zone multiple times high on the face while climbing up it. The descent was very steep and exposed but it was double fall line and perfect snow so I was able to flow down the line.
Deepest pow day:
Switzerland in January. It was one of the best weeks of snowboarding of my life.
This ramp in Austria was exposed and tech but a stable snowpack allowed Jeremy to ride it.
Scariest moment of your winter:
Turning around high on a steep face in Austria and realizing Mitch and Bibi had just been swept off the mountain in a small avalanche.
One thing you learned about backcountry snowboarding this winter was:
Never let your guard down no matter how stable the conditions have been and always be present in the mountains so you can pick up the subtle changes in the terrain, weather and snowpack.
Where can we see your footy this fall?
Going FURTHER!
Jeremy’s 2012 set-up: Jones Carbon Flagship 161 and Carbon Solution 161/164
Any people you would like to thank for another great winter?
Thanks to my family, riding partners and sponsors: Oneill, POC, Swatch, Sanuk, Clif Bar, Contour
AK Line Art by Jeremy Jones
Have you seen the new FURTHER Trailer yet? Check it out for a glimpse of all the areas Jeremy mentions in the interview and don’t miss the Further premiere tour coming to a town near you in September and October.
