Editor’s note: This Inertia expedition was made possible by goTenna.
Sitting in a seedy motel room on the outskirts of Sacramento, I thought our trip was over before it started. Three of the best athletes in the action sports world, Danny Davis, Ian Walsh and Nick Russell, were set to meet me for a backcountry hut trip for the ages. But the lodge owner, completely dejected in his own right, had just called to let me know the trip was canceled after an unruly Sierra storm had pummeled the region with rain, creating dangerous conditions.
The production crew was already in place. The transportation was set. Admittedly, I was ready to wave the white flag as well. But a funny thing happened. Those athletes that brands hire to inspire other people and promote surf and snowboard products, inspired me. “We can still make this happen,” Danny told me over the phone. Danny and Ian hopped on a call. I pow-wowed with Ian as well. Then I get the text from Ian who was ready to board a red-eye flight from Maui: “I’ll see you in the morning.”
It was on. And I’m so glad it happened. I got to hang in the backcountry with some insanely-cool people that included filmmaker Scott Barber and iconic snowboard photographer Andrew Miller. And with Nick and Danny (who’re roommates) looking for options to find safe lines after the crazy storm that had just rolled through, their good friend Jeremy Jones offered to help out and come ride with us as well. Legendary humans, all of em’.
A nightmare scenario had turned into a dream trip. And as you can see from the film, we kind of scored. As with any complicated project, commitment is key. Or, as Ian would say, you gotta be, “all in.”
