For the inaugural interview I focused on a big mountain rider based out of the North American mecca, Revelstoke. I had the good fortune to meet Mark years ago and have had the pleasure to watch his backcountry experience grow over time slowly gaining notoriety as being in the forefront of the splitboard revolution. When he is not busy slanging coffee beans or working on his garden, he is up in the high alpine slaying lines most of us would only dream of. I got the opportunity to talk with Mark and he was kind enough to answer a few questions.
Name: Mark Hartley
>
> Home Range: Rockies and Columbia Mountains around Golden and Revelstoke BC Canada
> Age: 36
> Primary Solid Board: NeverSummer Heritage 166X
> Primary Split Board: BlahoBros / NS Heritage 166X
> Preferred Binding System: Dynafits for touring, F2 plates for the down
> Boots: i got some scarpa Lazers at the ski swap and chopped em down, but i rilly want some light new boots…
> How Long Have You Been Snowboarding? 23 years
> How Long Have You Been Splitboarding? 5 years
> What Compelled You to Begin Splitboarding? i broke my mini skis and wanted a cleaner touring system… i never thought i’d trust a board that was meant to break in half but when i heard the NS crew produced em i figured they must be tuff enuf.
> Most Memorable Glacier Travel: We descended from 14k on Denali late evening and the light was incredible, big ice all around.
> Gnarliest Approach for a Single Line: “Esta no es la ruta normal” approach to the south (French) face of Hauyna Potosi, Bolivia… heavy winds, broken glacier, blowing ice crystals, steep climbing, snowboard on my back (i imagined the conditions were same same as being inside a jet engine, but cold, and i was certain my ‘wing’ was going to lift me off), 3 nights on ice (1 a bivvy in a crevasse), 1 partner bailed, the other got sick from the altitude, and at the last minute the wind eased off, the sun shone and i got after it.
> Ideal Backcountry Day: Good friends, good snow, good weather, good climbing, maybe a ridge to a summit, good shreddin, steep chutes to deep bowls in a remote drainage with wild animals and a cozy cabin….
> Lifetime Goal or Objective, a Line You’ve Been Eyeing for a While, or What Would Be your Dream Trip? So many dreams, so little time…
> Favorite Backcountry Meal: Cheese tortellinis w sundried tomatos, smoked/candied wild salmon and plenty o cheese
> Favorite Piece of Gear (and Why): beside my board, my BD Icon headlamp. When things go overtime, it lights sh!t up!!!
> Favorite Place You’ve Travelled: Thailand: steep limestone, sweet beaches, papaya, mango and pineapple, yum!!
> Sponsors: Bentley and the NS crew give me a lil love, and my girl Christina will back me up anywhere anytime, shes great.
> Print/ Movie Appearances: I’ve had writing published in the Canadian Alpine Journal and Kootenay Mountain Culture Magazine. I’ve been in a few of Greg Hill’s movies including ‘Mountain Animals’ and ‘The Unbearable Lightness of Skiing’
> Local Causes You’re Passionate About: Responsible living and good coffee
> Other Stuff You Do: Owner/Operator, Stoke Roasted Coffee Co: i push legitimate drugs. I’m also turning the yard at my new home into an urban farm.
> Website/Blog: i post some trip reports onFo splitboard.com
Name: Mark Hartley
Home Range: Rockies and Columbia Mountains around Golden and Revelstoke BC Canada
Age: 36
Primary Solid Board: NeverSummer Heritage 166X
Primary Split Board: BlahoBros / NS Heritage 166X
Preferred Binding System: Dynafits for touring, F2 plates for the down
Boots: i got some scarpa Lazers at the ski swap and chopped em down, but i rilly want some light new boots…
How Long Have You Been Snowboarding? 23 years
How Long Have You Been Splitboarding? 5 years
What Compelled You to Begin Splitboarding? i broke my mini skis and wanted a cleaner touring system… i never thought i’d trust a board that was meant to break in half but when i heard the NS crew produced em i figured they must be tuff enuf.
Most Memorable Glacier Travel: We descended from 14k on Denali late evening and the light was incredible, big ice all around.
Gnarliest Approach for a Single Line: “Esta no es la ruta normal” approach to the south (French) face of Hauyna Potosi, Bolivia… heavy winds, broken glacier, blowing ice crystals, steep climbing, snowboard on my back (i imagined the conditions were same same as being inside a jet engine, but cold, and i was certain my ‘wing’ was going to lift me off), 3 nights on ice (1 a bivvy in a crevasse), 1 partner bailed, the other got sick from the altitude, and at the last minute the wind eased off, the sun shone and i got after it.
Ideal Backcountry Day: Good friends, good snow, good weather, good climbing, maybe a ridge to a summit, good shreddin, steep chutes to deep bowls in a remote drainage with wild animals and a cozy cabin….
Lifetime Goal or Objective, a Line You’ve Been Eyeing for a While, or What Would Be your Dream Trip? So many dreams, so little time…
Favorite Backcountry Meal: Cheese tortellinis w sundried tomatos, smoked/candied wild salmon and plenty o cheese
Favorite Piece of Gear (and Why): beside my board, my BD Icon headlamp. When things go overtime, it lights sh!t up!!!
Favorite Place You’ve Travelled: Thailand: steep limestone, sweet beaches, papaya, mango and pineapple, yum!!
Sponsors: Bentley and the NS crew give me a lil love, and my girl Christina will back me up anywhere anytime, shes great.
Print/ Movie Appearances: I’ve had writing published in the Canadian Alpine Journal and Kootenay Mountain Culture Magazine. I’ve been in a few of Greg Hill‘s movies including ‘Mountain Animals’ and ‘The Unbearable Lightness of Skiing’
Local Causes You’re Passionate About: Responsible living and good coffee
Other Stuff You Do: Owner/Operator, Stoke Roasted Coffee Co: i push legitimate drugs. I’m also turning the yard at my new home into an urban farm.
Website/Blog: i post some trip reports on splitboard.com
To get a feel of a typical tour of Marks check this link.
