Ups and downs of Las Lenas.

The trip to Las Lenas has come to a close.  Lots happened on the voyage, party people some puking on the plane, getting a bag stolen off them in a lobby while passed out,  2 sketch landings on the domestic flight.  That was just the first day.  We arrived to a crazy sunset and the look of deep powder on the side of the road.  This trip was with Oakley testing and Catalog shooting.  Many were there for the party, I was there for the skiing.

Ended up being very windy for most of the trip and the Marte was closed for all of it till the last day we were there.  So we hiked.  Luckily most brought skins and a touring binding set up.  Everyday we did a boot hike or a skin.  Thats all you could do to get to the best skiing.  Maybe the snow was not the best after day in and day out of wind, but it was fun.  Every hike was new for me as well as the group, since most had not been below the equator before.  Doing this ended up being a one run day due to all the walking to get there because some lifts would be open one day and then not the next, or the ski patrol and piesteros would not let you access terrain.  Besides that and the wind you just rolled on and went some where that people weren’t.

Skiing in the summer is pretty much a dream come true.  Coming down into the best part of the season is the way to do it, no waiting around for conditions to build up.  Everyone in the Northern Hemisphere is getting excited, ski movies are premiering, magazines are on their second issues already.  Its on its way, but its along ways off till its good.  Many people on our trip got sick, puking on flights home or getting sick the last days there, swine flu perhaps.  Something you don’t really think about till its to late.  Thanks to Oakley, Stein, Mark, Jose and all the motivated people I skied with.  Check out more picks in photo’s.  Till next time.

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August In A Far Away Place Called Las Lenas!

Las Lenas situated in Argentina, South America is one of the longest treks for skiing I have ever done.  Being there a few times you now what to expect, but anything can happen so be ready.

This trip was for an Oakley apparel test.  A large group, many of us took different ways of getting there.  My crew’s bags didn’t make it so we had to stay a night in Buenos Aires.  Some bags arrive the following day, off to Mendoza by Plane then a rather long bus ride, 8.5hrs to Las Lenas.

The Skiing was far worth all the time to get there.  Skiing nothing but Off-Piste Powder, mostly hiking.  Many times the weather dictates what happens there with the Marte lift, but not on the 4 days some of us got.  Five days of travel for the Best Las Lenas trip ever.

The pics tell the story best.  Thanks to Mark for dealing with all the logistics, our guide Jose for showing us the secret ways and of course all the Boys from the O.

A fix till Winter!