We get a few clues about the ski objective in episode 3 of the podcast. We know Adam Fabrikant and Billy Haas will head to South America. We know it’s going to be windy at times. And we know a specific post-expedition empanada stand where the two plan to offset their expected calorie deficit.
The Southern Hemi’s Spring Equinox fell late last month. And by the time this podcast drops, the packing will be near complete for what Fabrikant and Haas expect to be a several-week expedition to ski a new line in the Andes. The two will haul heavy loads, likely over 60 pounds, for 4-5 days on the approach. And as they do, they’ll ascend some technical ground to access the line, and, if all things align, like the weather, health, and snowpack, plan to do what they do, which is to ski a first descent.
Before all that, there’s the less glamorous side of expedition life: winnowing the gear to an acceptable load to haul and packing it all up for the trans-hemisphere flight. Like any of us before a big trip, there are discussions about how spare one can go, how hungry, and what creature comforts one is willing to forgo—all in the spirit of finding that perfect balance of carrying just enough and nothing in excess.
Historically, on their trips, Fabrikant and Haas are mindful of their battery and energy harnessing systems: they limit themselves to a single song per night in the event expedition entertainment is in order. (On this trip, it sounds like maybe—and a very tentative maybe—they’ll be bringing a lightweight solar panel system.)
From the skis (think the red Freebird from Black Crows), the boots, and bindings, and even what sounds like a very spare diet of couscous and seasoning, we get the “what to pack” low down for a lean and keep-it-bare-bones human-powered ski expedition.
Thanks for listening, and if you have a specific question for Gavin, Billy, or Adam, for the time being, you can email gavin@the-high-route.com or leave a comment on our website.
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the-high-route.com: Yeah, there are two hyphens for redundancy, which is a good policy in the mountains. And according to Barry Wicks, don't-fear-the-hyphens®.
The theme music for The High Route Podcast comes from
Storms in the Hill Country and the album
The Self Transforming (Thank you, Jens Langsjoen). You can find a link to the album
here—there are so many good songs on this album. And if you think you've spotted a UFO in the past or visited the 7th dimension, "Beautiful Alien" is a good tune to begin with.