INCREDIBLE NOVEMBER EXPERIENCE

I’ve been going to Crater Lake in the Winter for almost 30 years. The dynamic range of views and terrain is awesome! Some of the backcountry zones have views of the lake, others do not, but it doesn’t matter, they all deliver with the right snow conditions. This photo was shot at the end of November, 2024, one of the snowiest November’s I can remember. I saw a reprieve from the abundant snowfall in the forecast, yielding a sunny day with minimal wind. I sent out a group text to about ten people asking if they wanted to go? A handful said yes, knowing it would be an early morning and rigorous experience; waking up at 2am in Bend and beginning the day. Two friends showed up to Crater Lake to meet me at 4:30am, the other three would show up later. It was seven degrees in the parking lot and we began the treck in. Arriving at the rim 30-minutes before sunrise, we decided to keep split boarding to another viewpoint. We made the viewpoint, enjoyed an outstanding sunrise (it is available on the website) and continued on to the location I hoped would have great snow! Arriving at the zone, the wind was minimal, not something that happens here often. I tested the snow and it was perfect, dry and about 15” deep! I tried to shoot a few powder shots of my friends Ian and Elijah, but knew that wasn’t the call, we needed to build a jump. I scouted around and found the spot to build. We built the jump in about 1.5hrs. My heart was pounding, if it worked, the shots would be all time. Elijah Pyle is 19 years old and is on year two of getting his feet wet in the backcountry; he would be the one hitting the jump. He was on the US Snowboarding team for halfpipe, but opted out for college and continuing his passion for the backcountry. He rips! Elijah hits the jump and lands perfectly. The image you see is that first hit, wow! Elijah continued to hit the jump, doing backflips, backside 180s, frontside 360s, and cab cork 540s...it was a prime set up! My other friends showed up half way through the jump session and proceeded to have fun on it as well. The day ended with glorious pow turns on the exit out, a moderate tour back to the cars and smiles for days if not for a lifetime. This day was 10/10 and about as good of an action shot as I can produce/be a part of!