Kinger's basecamp on Thompson Pass in the ABA parking lot. This is the hotel Uhaul.

A photo of the Books, a legendary area just utside Valdez.

This is Badgr, a guide from ABA and legendary guy. This run was called Mondo - not a lot of edge bite going on from the looks of it- hairball!

Mikey B. in The Books.

Mikey B. sets up for the night in the Uhaul.

Little pillow line of the West side of ABA.

Just got the Google Earth kmz file exported with our road trip route and SPOT beacon transmissions. Click Here to Download

Rob Kingwill took the win at the North Face Mountain Masters in Alyeska, then rolled over to Valdez. He found these luxurious accommodations along with the MTNOPS crew and Mike Basich waiting for him.

Due to the cold, Kinger found himself sleeping in the MTNOPS basecamp.

If you think Kinger looks miserable in this shot, you should have seen what he was looking like sleeping in the unheated Casa Uhaul.

He put the wood stove to good use. At least he had dry boots.

The first few days had excellent visability as this photo of Mikey Basich and Whitney Bell on Mikey's AK sled.

With all that Mountain Masters money burning a hole in his pocket, it was time to spend some loot.

So he picked up an 2003 Ski Doo Sumit 700. Check out the Jackson Hole tie down.

First stop: Brobowl.

THe ride up to Brobowl.

All photos Rob Kingwill

Stay tuned for more from Rob's Trip to Valdez.

Farmer came over to Valdez after the Masters contest at Alyeska.
Photo: Mark

Hiking to get a few last turns.

Love at first ride.

Or just waiting for a ride. Mark, Tony Mann and Smoky.

Alaskan dream ride.

The machine for these mountains.

Patio checks the view from the top.

Photos: JP

Take a looks at some of the mountains we saw on our trip...

Photos: JP

We topped the last night off with a little parting at the Rendezvous.

Mark, Farmer, Rydor and Smoky tearing it up.

Followed by a rap battle on the deck with Rydor, Dan Caruso and of course, Farmer.

Farmer very good rap.

Photos & Vid: Mark & Smoke1

We just arrived back after a 2 1/2 day straight through drive. It was long, bumpy and relatively uneventful. The remaining crew, Cory, JP, Beaver and myself took off from ABA at 3:30 PM AK time Thursday and arrived in Hailey, ID, at 5:30 AM Sunday. That was stopping only for gas, a couple of meals and a brief stop at the Laird Hot Springs in BC.

Final updates from the road will be coming shortly with Day 9/10. Also look for the Perata v. Farmer video.

Photos: Mark

Mark, Smokey and Patio get ready to drop the RFS Shoulder.

Clouds were in and out in the afternoon.

JP up on the hill.

DJ Smoky spun music all week.

Photos: JP

Mark in front of the basecamp at the heli pad.

Heliboarding is what riding in Valdez is all about. While not an inexpensive route, there is no experience in snowboarding that can compare to riding directly to a 4000' peak in ten minutes - then scoping and destroying lines - all without bothersome tracks.

View from a top LZ.

A look up at one of the runs we did, Goodwills. We found a little entry through the cornice and ripped the face. Back in the day, riders would first send it off the cornice before trying to negotiate the fat cliff band in the middle. Goodwill was the first person to launch the center of the band a 70+' under-hanging drop.

Another view from the top.

Meanwhile Scott Lago was scoping a large rock ride down in town.

Big thanks to Beaver.. aka Mark Oliver for killing it on the filming, editing, video director front.

Photos: JP