6m drop – seemingly right onto the roof of our majestic RV.
(The AK experience part 1: down days)
At the end of the ‘long drive up north’ I met up with Daniel Menke, a German snowboarder from Cologne. Daniel’s focus is much more on hitting backcountry kickers, parks and single radical lines. Ideal for me, because that’s where I want to get better while I already have plenty of backcountry experience and duracell-like stamina. He is also on of the most well-travelled surfers/snowboarders I have met – just check out his blog to verify.
My new ski buddy Daniel in the AK white room, after digging himself out of a slab avalanche the very first day we went touring together.
We got along well pretty immediately as we both know a lot about the flaws of each others’ cultures – he lived in Innsbruck (even speaks formidable Tyrolean) and I in Germany – and we both love to make fun of both of them. Also, moving from my car into our huge RV added greatly to my quality of life.
A typical night in the RV.
Our AK experience started with the classic down day streak. Six days of whiteout, snow and eventually rain. Nevertheless we made it great time by focusing on building a kicker, shooting pillow lines and drops right off the Richardson highway or even rails right in the town of Valdez.
The good version of a down day. Snowfall always makes me happy.
The ‘Fat Mermaid’ right on the snowed-in harbour – our classic hangout for the next two weeks.
Hitting the rails.
Daniel givin’er on our backcountry kicker. The grey behind the trees is the sea, not the sky.
Entering the pillow realm.
Ouch.
Second try.
Another day, another pillow line.
Getting ready for work. On the highway, the RV, Daniel and the camera.
Action.
Daniel at work.
Walking away happy and stoked!
The Gipsy Banker 
nice wheels man!
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