September is almost here and we’ll soon be judging the submissions from the GoPro video contest. If you have been putting together video for our GoPro contest, don’t forget that the deadline is September 1. You could win a free heli trip! So get your edit on and submit before it’s too late. Check out this entry from Dave Cohen.
WIN A FREE 2012 HELI SKI TRIP WITH EPICQUEST AND GO PRO
Make a video, win a trip. It’s that easy.
Through a unique and generous relationship with GoPro, we are excited to offer all package guests the use of GoPro wearable HD video cameras for the entirety of your stay at no cost to you. We’ll make sure you leave with a copy of your video data so you can share with friends and relive the memories of your trip.
When you return home, get creative and make an edited video of your experience.
The best submission of a fully edited video that captures your trip as a whole will win a free 2012 heli ski trip in Girdwood!
The Grand Prize winner will receive:
• Round-trip ground transportation from the airport to Girdwood, AK.
• Six (6) night stay in a deluxe room at The Hotel Alyeska.
• 50,000 – 60,000 vertical feet of heli skiing for one person
• Snowcat backup for “no-fly” days
• Use of Mammut Pulse Barryvox avalanche transceiver.
• Use of Salomon power demo skis.
• A full Go Pro Hero video Camera Setup
• A Mammut Pack, Probe and shovel kit
Runners up will receive:
• (1) Mammut Pulse Barryvox Beacon, Nirvana Ride Pack, Alugator Light Shovel, and Probe Light.
• (2)Full Go Pro Hero video camera setups
Submissions:
Submissions must be received by September 1, 2011. Submissions may be sent to chris.owens@epicquest.com or mailed on disk to Chris Owens at Chugach Powder Guides, PO Box 641, Girdwood, Alaska 99587
The Salomon ship sits by the blue hole. Photo: Niki Stornig
Kings and Corn 2011 is drawing to a close and it’s been one for the books. While we were concerned that the low winter snowfall might affect the Kings and Corn adventure this summer, we found that there was plenty of good, creamy corn to be had for all. The run of King Salmon has been steady and we’ve had good success in getting guests into the big fish. As always, our exploration of this vast region has continued and we’ve gone deep into the Alaska Range for an unforgettable good time. Check out some of the photos from the 2011 Kings and Corn adventure.
The Board of Directors of EpicQuest joins the staff and management team in welcoming Walter Bruns as President of the company.
Walter has been a leader in the heli-skiing world for decades, joining EpicQuest after 25 years with Canadian Mountain Holidays (CMH) – the
EpicQuest President, Walter Bruns
world’s largest heli-skiing and heli-hiking operator. Starting in the industry as a van-driver and being promoted through the ranks under the tutelage of legendary heli-skiing pioneer Hans Gmoser, Walter would eventually become President of CMH. Walter brings a lifetime of guide and management expertise in heli-skiing and the luxury-adventure travel industry to EpicQuest, joining its own world-class team of guides and ski professionals.
As President of EpicQuest, Walter will assume management responsibility for all skiing operations, overseeing the daily operations of the company’s teams based in Girdwood, Alaska and Sun Valley, Idaho. He will also oversee the development and management of new ski programs elsewhere around the world as EpicQuest expands its offering of premium ski destinations. Walter will also be involved in Epicquest’s portfolio of adventures in other sports, including its new mountain biking facility in Sun Valley (“The Bike Ranch”) as well as programs in Europe and Africa.
“Walter is well known and highly respected in the industry,” said EpicQuest Board Member Craig Pattee. “We’re very proud of what we have built at Chugach Powder Guides in Alaska, and with Sun Valley Heli Ski Guides in Idaho; we are lucky to have an incredible team of people. Walter brings a wealth of experience in customer service to the teams and will fit right in with our company’s strong culture of excellence and commitment to the client.” Bruns added: “Skiing, mountains, guiding, and the heli-ski business have been my passions in life. That is exactly what EpicQuest is all about, and much more. It is my privilege and an honor to join this wonderful team. It is a tremendously exciting and new opportunity to build the dream into reality.”
Walter joins a seasoned team of skiing and world-class adventure professionals and athletes. Mike Overcast will continue to oversee the programs at the Tordrillo Mountain Lodge. Chris Owens will continue to oversee EpicQuest’s public relations and strategic partnerships. Dave Hamre remains a Senior Advisor and Consultant to the company. EpicQuest’s experienced staff and team of guides in Sun Valley and Girdwood will continue to provide outstanding service to our guests.
Walter Bruns joins the team as President beginning June 1st. He will split his time between EpicQuest’s operations in Alaska and Sun Valley.
The Alaska Range is one of those magical places that should go on everyone’s “Someday” list. Even most Alaskans don’t take the time to explore this amazing zone. While most know that the Alaska Range is the home of the biggest mountain in North America and the second highest peak in the world, Denali, few are aware of the immensity and diversity of this range. It’s truly like all of the worlds best ranges wrapped into one. Containing the Triumvirate, Hayes and Trimble Glaciers (The Triumvirate can be seen from Space), multiple active volcanoes and amazing granite spires, the scale of this place is almost impossible to wrap your mind around. In addition, this massive range feeds some of the most diverse and exciting river systems in Alaska.
A couple of days ago I had the opportunity to guide a long time Alaskan family on a five day multi-sport explosion of non-stop activity in the area. While the main objective was fishing, we also took the opportunity to get into the Tordrillo Mountains above the Triumvirate Glacier and the incredible iceberg choked Strandline Lake.
Starting with a 45 minute floatplane flight from Anchorage, we arrived at the Tordrillo Mountain Lodge in the morning. After a quick tour of the lodge and a safety orientation, we jumped right on the fishing in Talachulitna Creek working the waters right in front and within a mile of the lodge. At this time of year the Talachulitna River (right next to the lodge) is packed with an incredible run of Sockeye salmon. For the last 3 years, the Cook Inlet Aquaculture Association has counted more than 60,000 Sockeye each season passing by the front door of the lodge. The system is also packed with Silver Salmon, Rainbow Trout, Grayling, Dolly Varden and Arctic Char. Although we have been seeing a bit of rain and the water was high, the fish are in and we were catching Sockeye and Rainbows immediately. Mike Kruse also caught a REALLY nice Grayling. We polished of the day with some foil boarding on the lake and some Arctic Char fishing after dinner at one of the nearby creek inlets.
Fishing for evening Arctic Char
Following a big breakfast the next day, we decided to stay on the fishing track and float directly out of the lodge by kayak, working the holes along approximately 15 river miles of Talachulitna Creek. With the high water, it was definitely “Adventure Kayaking” with fast water and tight turns. Everyone got the hang of it very quickly. We picked up salmon and trout all along the way and had a helicopter pick us up for the return to the lodge at the end of the day. We finished out foil boarding on the lake after a King Crab dinner at the lodge.
Kayaking on Talachulitna Creek
Next, on to a full day of heli-fishing. Here’s how this works. We load kayaks into the baskets of the helicopter and drop into stretches of river that simply couldn’t be accessed any other way other than by hiking for 2 months. We land on a loaded fishing hole, remove the kayaks and work 10 to 15 miles of river at our own pace, stopping where the fishing and vistas are best. It’s a rock star way to get at the best fishing and see an amazing amount of country in “Deep Alaska”. Then, it’s a heli pickup at the end of the day to return to the lodge for a soak in the wood fired hot tub and a gourmet meal.
At last the weather cleared enough to commit to a day in the mountains so we jumped in the helicopters and landed at a prime spot overlooking both the Triumvirate Glacier and Strandline Lake. We landed right below an incredible hanging glacier in between two large peaks. Although we originally intended to have a primarily downhill hike, the granite of the Alaska Range was calling to us and we decided to alter the plan and summit a nearby peak before dropping down the other side and continuing to Strandline Lake for some views of the icebergs and calving at the foot of the glacier. I like climbing and hiking in this area because the giant slabs of granite are very “grippy” and easy to climb. As we descended toward Strandline the amazing variety of boot top high flora (no bush whacking) continued to change with every few hundred feet of elevation.
Hiking above Strandline Lake
Although this group was comprised of seasoned Alaskans, all of our jaws were consistently dropped throughout the duration of this trip. The diversity and magnitude of this area is something that you can never take for granted or get used to. Every trip is different and incredible in it’s own way. I’m truly lucky to be able to share this range and river system with the fortunate guests who decide to come out here and take a bite out of life.
EpicQuest was created by a handful of athletes and elite outdoorsmen to provide unparalleled adventures around the globe. We are a team that is dedicated to opening the door to a unique world of knowledge, access and experience ...
