Our next interviewee is a Australian who lives in New Zealand year round to travel the Southern Islands legendary Southern Alps. Known for its massive stronghold of glaciers and even harsher weather this region has a endless supply of mountains. In this interview Yossi talks about making the transformation from snowshoeing to splitboarding to feed his backcountry obsession.
Nationality: Oztrayan
Primary Location, Home Mountain, or Home Range: Craigieburn Range, South Island, New Zealand
Age:30
Primary Solid Board: 168cm Illuminati rock board
Primary Split Board: 165 Prior Backcountry
Preferred Binding System: currently using the Voile system with my Burton strap bindings. I’ll run this until it dies or I get sick of it, then I’ll get the Sparks.
Boot: Salomon Malamutes
How Long Have You Been Snowboarding ? 12 years
How Long Have You Been Splitboarding? 1 year
What Compelled You to Begin Splitboarding? I was pretty happy with my snowshoes for a time. Last year I spent half the winter in Las Lenas in Argentina, doing lots of snowshoe touring. There was a crew of splitboarders there and I saw how easy it was for them and how much further out they were touring. I hadn’t really been up close to any splitters, so I grilled this Skylar dude about it all and from then on my mind was pretty much made up. It seemed like the logical progression. Less overall weight, less gear, more efficient uphill and obviously, way cooler.
Where has Split Boarding taken you? Not very far just yet -but I feel like I’ve joined a path that will take me on some cool journeys with like-minded people. Choice!
Gnarliest or most Extensive Approach for a Single Line: Haven’t done any real hectic ones yet. Usually just multi-hour as opposed to multi-day. A couple of ones that stick out for me: Up the avy run-out to get to the actual Goats Eye near Sunshine Mtn , Banff Canadia; up to El Soldado near Las Lenas last year; and a couple of attempts on this chute in the Buchanan Range above Lake Wanaka in NZ – a couple of aborted attempts, one camping trip in which the whole place was icy and out of condition and finally a solo day mission, starting early, going fast and nailing the line that I had been looking at for about 2 years.
Ideal Backcountry Day: A spring day with some about 10cms of new snow. Stable snowpack , the sun is shining, the company is good. There is no rush, so we get up late, eat a massive breakfast and head out. The wind stays away and we are moving easily, with no arguments about aspects and lines and approaches. We pick our lines and get a steep chute each with a bit of extra windblown. Regroup at the bottom for some lunch, do another lap or two then head back down for beers in the sun.
Favorite Backcountry Meal: Cheese and Salami Sandwich with a whole tomato on the side, followed by dark chocolate. Lots of fat and protein!
Favorite Piece of Gear (and Why): I just bought a Snowpulse airbag backpack this spring( thanks to a fat Australian tax return) and that has got me pretty stoked. I’ve struggled to find the partners this year and it means I feel way more comfortable heading out by myself when the conditions are right.
Favorite Place You’ve Travelled (and Why): I couldn’t pick just one. I love Japan and its temples and back streets and trains and street food and deep, deep pow. I love Argentina for its cheap vino, the decrepit glamour, the gorgeous women and the sick terrain and mountains. I love West Coast North America ( I love you both US and Canada!) for the people, the forests , the gas station coffee flavours and the amazing mountains. And I love NZ so much I’m staying!
Local Causes You’re Passionate About: Save the Waimakariri River. We need to protect our rivers more and stop greedy corporate interests from overusing water resources .
Other Stuff You Do (music, volunteerism, art, school, etc.): B&W film photography, apprenticeship theory homework, rockclimbing, mountaineering.
Here is a late season Trip Report