Mountain Life
  • Daily Content
    • Trips & Expeditions
    • Climbing
    • Mountain Biking
    • Mountain Lifer
    • Multiplicity
    • On The Trail
    • Paddling
    • Photography
    • Skiing
    • Snowboarding
    • Stay & Play
    • Surfing
    • The Great Outdoors
    • The ML Interview
    • Travel
  • GEAR
  • VIDEOS
  • STORE
  • Magazines
    • ML Coast Mountains
    • ML Rocky Mountains
    • Vie En Montagne
    • ML Blue Mountains
    • ML Annual
    • ML Subscriptions
  • ABOUT
    • What is ML?
    • Our Team
    • Newsletter
    • Adventure Grant
    • Distribution
  • Podcast
  • Contests
  • CONTACT
    • ML Agency
    • Advertising
    • Contribute
Subscription Form

Get notified of the best News

Social Links
Instagram 22K Followers
Facebook 25K Likes
Twitter 5K Followers
Pinterest 1K Followers
Vimeo 34 Followers
LinkedIn 0
22K Followers
25K Likes
5K Followers
1K Followers
Mountain Life
Mountain Life
  • Daily Content
    • Trips & Expeditions
    • Climbing
    • Mountain Biking
    • Mountain Lifer
    • Multiplicity
    • On The Trail
    • Paddling
    • Photography
    • Skiing
    • Snowboarding
    • Stay & Play
    • Surfing
    • The Great Outdoors
    • The ML Interview
    • Travel
  • GEAR
  • VIDEOS
  • STORE
  • Magazines
    • ML Coast Mountains
    • ML Rocky Mountains
    • Vie En Montagne
    • ML Blue Mountains
    • ML Annual
    • ML Subscriptions
  • ABOUT
    • What is ML?
    • Our Team
    • Newsletter
    • Adventure Grant
    • Distribution
  • Podcast
  • Contests
  • CONTACT
    • ML Agency
    • Advertising
    • Contribute
  • Skiing
  • CLIMBING
  • On The Trail
  • The Great Outdoors

Last Col with Austin Ross

  • January 31, 2017
  • Ben Osborne
Total
0
Shares
0
0
0
0
0
0
Total
0
Shares
Share 0
Tweet 0
Pin it 0
Share 0
Share 0
Share 0

Born and raised on a hobby farm in B.C.’s Pemberton Valley, Austin Ross quickly fell in love with the mountains. Under the craggy peaks of Mt. Currie, his tight knit family instilled in him a deep desire to explore the natural world, embrace creativity and follow his own path.

That path has since led Austin down the road of professional skiing, allowing him the freedom to seek out steep lines, climb mountains and even fly off them. We recently caught up with Austin for Last Col.

 

Austin Ross 0710
Adam Clark photo.

Last great piece of advice you received?
I lost my wallet recently and I recalled what my dad always told me as a youngster when I would misplace something. He’d say, “Stop looking for it, and you will find it.” I always applied the saying to losing material possessions but as I’ve grown older, I’ve realized that the same can be said about anything you desire in life, if you stop worrying about trying to find it then eventually it’ll present itself in one form or another.

 

AE8Q6368
Photo courtesy of Arc’teryx

Last climb that challenged you?
Last week I went for a ski tour up the Duffy with my paraglider and I cut it really close with daylight hours. The climb itself was relatively straight forward and the travel was easy due to good snow conditions, but by the time I got to my top out, laid out my wing and attempted to take off it was well after sunset and the landing zone in the valley below was steadily disappearing into the black abyss. After one botched launch attempt I decided to do the old “stuff and run.” I packed my wing, put on my headlamp and skied a long avalanche path back down to the road in the dark. In flying, there’s a saying that goes “it’s better to be on the ground wanting to be in the air than to be in the air wanting to be on the ground.” This was one of those times.

In flying, there’s a saying that goes “it’s better to be on the ground wanting to be in the air than to be in the air wanting to be on the ground.” This was one of those times.

Last time you laughed so hard you cried?
If you get me and Kye Petersen going after a couple beers it’s an almost guarantee I’ll laugh till my eyes water. We bring that out in each other. It’s just the way it is.

 

AE8Q6269
Photo courtesy of Arc’teryx

Last thing your sister taught you?
My sister has taught me so much in life. I watched her get married up at Tyax Lodge this past summer and it was such an incredible experience. She and her husband Jon are artists and they created just about every aspect of the wedding themselves. It was really inspiring. She taught me that day that with a little creativity and hard work, no task is impossible. Thanks, Amy.

 

DSC03787
Left: Kye and his sister Neve and me and my sister Amy with our family dog Simba in our yard in Pemby. Right: My sister and I on the hill as kids. Love her gorby gap here! ha!

Last piece of lost skiing gear you wish you still had?
I had a second transceiver that I kept in my truck just in case anyone forgets one and somehow I misplaced it along with a VHF radio when I was in Revy last winter. Both items are easily replaceable, but it was a bit annoying not knowing how they disappeared.

Last time you felt buyers’ remorse?
After shoulder surgery this past May, I decided to invest in some new music gear. I found a decent deal on a Les Paul online and once it arrived at my house I realized it wasn’t the guitar for me. Instruments need to speak to you and this one just didn’t. I learned my lesson and went down to Vancouver when Fender discontinued their American Standard series and spent a few hours testing guitars until I decided on a rosewood Telecaster that I can’t put down.

 

amy jon 112
Warming up for my sisters wedding at Tyax Lodge this past summer.

Last time you milked a cow?
I grew up on five acres on the Lillooet River in Pemberton. We didn’t have any cows but we did have chickens, a whole gang of cats and dogs over the years, a rabbit that didn’t last too long and a blind horse named Mokey who could escape any sort of fence Dad would put up.

Last time you did a shot-ski?
It was either at Snowwater last winter or maybe during POWDER week in Montana. I can’t really recall.

 

Screen Shot 2017 01 04 at 11.07.25 AM
Ready to launch my speedwing in Chamonix last spring.

Last time you were really scared in the mountains:
The last time I felt like I was losing control on the variables was during a hike and fly mission on Mt. Currie. We climbed the West face and the wind was blowing the wrong direction to launch safely. My partner and I decided to try and traverse the skyline over to the East ridge but after passing the entrance to the Y Couloir it became evident that continuing wouldn’t be safe.

Columns the size of microwaves were pealing off with as much as a flick of the finger.

The mountain is one big volcanic pile of choss. Columns the size of microwaves were pealing off with as much as a flick of the finger. We were traveling sans cord so after a quick discussion we carefully re-traced our steps back to the West face and waited for the winds to change. When I did get in the air finally, it was one of the most peaceful and relaxing flights I’d ever experienced.

 

BradleyA2016 9984
Speed riding in the Spearhead Range.

Last time something completely surprised you?
I skied into a decent sized cliff at Retallack last week and decided to send. Once I was airborne I realized it was bigger than I had expected. Everything was fine until I stomped and much to my surprise the landing was a whole lot flatter than it looked from the takeoff point. Hey, it happens…

Last picture you framed?
My dad gave me a poster that hung on the wall in his shop when I was a kid. It’s a classic shot of JM Boivin skiing the first descent of the Col De Peuterey on the South Face of Mont Blanc, circa 1977. I had it reframed and it lives on my wall now. Thanks, Dad!

 

AE8Q6445
Photo courtesy of Arc’teryx

Last time you did something outside your comfort zone?
I took a ride with someone who probably had a few too many awhile back and I was definitely outside of my comfort zone. If you’re hitching, make sure you pay close attention to the person who picks you up.

If you’re hitching, make sure you pay close attention to the person who picks you up.

Last book you read?
“It’s a Long Story: My Life” by Willie Nelson. Music biographies are my faves.

Last time someone inspired you?
I feel like I’m constantly being inspired. That’s the beauty of living in an area that harbours so many talented folks.

 

AE8Q6611
Photo courtesy of Arc’teryx

Last gift you gave?
I gave my mum a Ukulele for her birthday. She has a lovely voice and was the first person I heard sing and play guitar so I thought it would be cool for her to have something she can travel with since she spends a lot of time on the Sunshine Coast during the summer. She’s already playing songs on it and they sound great.

Last exotic meal you ate?
Probably the New Denver Schnitzel from the Valhalla Inn. Ha!

 

uploads 263
Amy and me on set of Hot Tub Time Machine at Seymour Mountain.

Last thing you built with your own hands?
Just put a sled deck together for the back of my Tacoma.

Last concert you went to?
I saw Hiss Golden Messenger in Vancouver. I’ll often head down there to see live shows. It was at the Fox, which is an intimate venue and I had the chance to chat with MC from the band before he went on. They even brought Frazey Ford on for a surprise duet. What a memorable evening.

 

You might also like:

CommitCOMMIT: COLD FOCUS — ICE CLIMBING THE FJORDS OF NORWAY
The new video from Arc’teryx and filmmaker Cameron Sylvester documents climber Luka Lindic‘s ascent of the ice fjords in Norway. “With the limited beta we’d been given, we had set our eyes on a very specific objective. Located beside the Kafjord Suspension bridge lies a huge waterfall that attracts big crowds in the summer months. With the right conditions, it can freeze over in the winter, producing a massive icefall over 120 meters tall, pocketed with multiple ice caverns; potentially epic conditions for ice climbing…. Read more

Total
0
Shares
Share 0
Tweet 0
Pin it 0
Share 0
Share 0
Share 0
Related Topics
  • Arc'Teryx
  • Austin Ross
  • Last Col
  • Mountaineering
  • paragliding
  • Skiing
Ben Osborne

Previous Article
  • Paddling
  • The Great Outdoors
  • Videos

15 Day SUP Adventure: Bella Coola River to Calvert Island

  • January 26, 2017
  • Ben Osborne
View Post
Next Article
  • The Great Outdoors
  • On The Trail
  • Skiing
  • Snowboarding

First-timer or Seasoned Vet, Here are Five Reasons Sun Peaks Should be on Your Vacation Radar

  • January 31, 2017
  • Ben Osborne
View Post
You May Also Like
Brian-Hockenstein-surfing-Iceland-water-and-ice-ML
View Post
  • CLIMBING
  • Surfing
  • Trips & Expeditions

In the Land of Water & Ice

  • Editor
  • January 24, 2023
Marie-Pier-Desharnais-A-Womans-Experience-on-K2-flag-crop
View Post
  • CLIMBING

Marie-Pier Desharnais: A Woman’s Experience on K2

  • Mountain Life Media
  • January 23, 2023
Wachs_Fairly-Mellow
View Post
  • Skiing
  • Videos

Friday Flick: “Fairly Mellow” at Fairy Meadow Hut

  • Ned Morgan
  • January 20, 2023
Season-Pass-Skis-and-Splitboard-both
View Post
  • Skiing
  • Snowboarding
  • THE GEAR SHED
  • WINTER GEAR

Gear Shed: New Season Pass Skis + Splitboard Exclusive to evo

  • Mountain Life Media
  • January 15, 2023
Vincent-Colliart-Caroline-Cote-antarctica-sunset
View Post
  • Skiing
  • Trips & Expeditions
  • Women

Canadian Explorer Caroline Côté Reaches South Pole in Record 34 Days

  • Mountain Life Media
  • January 13, 2023
Marie-France-Roy-at-Icefall-Range
View Post
  • Rockies
  • Skiing
  • Trips & Expeditions

The Wild West

  • Mountain Life Media
  • January 10, 2023
Mountain-Life-Blue-Mountains-stack-winter-2023
View Post
  • On The Trail
  • Ontario
  • Skiing
  • Snowboarding
  • Trips & Expeditions

ML Blue Mountains Winter-Spring ’23 Issue Out Now

  • Ned Morgan
  • January 6, 2023
SORCERER-LODGE-Steve-Shannon
View Post
  • Skiing

Out of the Darkness

  • Mountain Life Media
  • January 5, 2023
Featured Posts
  • Fjallraven-Nuuk-Parka-daniel-blom-photo_jacket 1
    Gear Shed: Multisport Winter Roundup
    • January 26, 2023
  • Brian-Hockenstein-surfing-Iceland-water-and-ice-ML 2
    In the Land of Water & Ice
    • January 24, 2023
  • Marie-Pier-Desharnais-A-Womans-Experience-on-K2-flag-crop 3
    Marie-Pier Desharnais: A Woman’s Experience on K2
    • January 23, 2023
  • Paul-Manning-Hunter-Kananaskis-River-surf 4
    Behind the Photo: Rockies Edition
    • January 19, 2023
  • knorthphotography.Beverly-Glenn Copeland-crop 5
    Beverly Glenn-Copeland: Finding the Universal Broadcast
    • January 17, 2023
RECENT POSTS
  • Wachs_Fairly-Mellow
    Friday Flick: “Fairly Mellow” at Fairy Meadow Hut
    • January 20, 2023
  • Season-Pass-Skis-and-Splitboard-both
    Gear Shed: New Season Pass Skis + Splitboard Exclusive to evo
    • January 15, 2023
  • Vincent-Colliart-Caroline-Cote-antarctica-sunset
    Canadian Explorer Caroline Côté Reaches South Pole in Record 34 Days
    • January 13, 2023
Social Links
Instagram 22K Followers
Facebook 25K Likes
Twitter 5K Followers
Pinterest 1K Followers
Vimeo 34 Followers
LinkedIn 0
INSTAGRAM
mountainlifemedia
22K Followers
ML staff and gear partners highlight the latest jackets, boards, crampons, hoodies, insoles and bindings in alpha order. #Linkinbio to learn more!
Adventures like this one require an inspiring team. @timemmett is a longtime friend, adventure partner and extraordinary human; an explorer, pro climber, surfer, freediver—you name it. @luca.freediver is an incredibly talented freediver, fresh off breaking the Canadian national freediving record (85 metres). The fourth man on the team, @brianhockenstein, is a filmmaker and multi-talented snowboarder always ready to jump into the fray and capture the magic. - words Jimmy Martinello. #Linkinbio to learn more!
We came in search of the connection of the human spirit to both art and adventure, whether climbing from the depths of moulins and ice caves, breaking through ice while paddleboarding fjords, climbing icebergs, freediving between tectonic plates or surfing cold waves.
A thousand and one things could have gone wrong, but she made it to the top:  @mariepier.desharnais is the first Quebecois woman to climb K2.
Mountain Life is a proud member of the @printreleaf_ community. So far we've offset our print by having 1,737 trees reforested since joining in 2019! 🌲
GUESS WHAT! It's FRIDAY! Here's a flick to kick off the weekend for all you warriors.
Behind the scenes of three action photos from ML’s Rocky Mountains edition.
The @banffmountainfestival 2023 Signature Image Search is on🚨
In 1986 @beverlyglenncopeland recorded Keyboard Fantasies using an Atari computer, a keyboard and a drum machine. After releasing it on cassette and selling maybe 50 copies, he went back to writing for Sesame Street and making the odd guest appearance on Mr. Dressup. In 2015, a cassette made its way to Japanese collector Ryota Masuko, a record store owner with a big online presence, who quickly bought, and then sold, all the Keyboard Fantasies cassettes he could find. Record labels worldwide lined up to reissue the hidden gem on vinyl.
MUSIC SERIES TICKET SALE IS NOW LIVE 🗣️
Follow

Subscribe

Subscribe now to our newsletter

ML staff and gear partners highlight the latest jackets, boards, crampons, hoodies, insoles and bindings in alpha order. #Linkinbio to learn more!
Adventures like this one require an inspiring team. @timemmett is a longtime friend, adventure partner and extraordinary human; an explorer, pro climber, surfer, freediver—you name it. @luca.freediver is an incredibly talented freediver, fresh off breaking the Canadian national freediving record (85 metres). The fourth man on the team, @brianhockenstein, is a filmmaker and multi-talented snowboarder always ready to jump into the fray and capture the magic. - words Jimmy Martinello. #Linkinbio to learn more!
We came in search of the connection of the human spirit to both art and adventure, whether climbing from the depths of moulins and ice caves, breaking through ice while paddleboarding fjords, climbing icebergs, freediving between tectonic plates or surfing cold waves.
A thousand and one things could have gone wrong, but she made it to the top:  @mariepier.desharnais is the first Quebecois woman to climb K2.
Mountain Life is a proud member of the @printreleaf_ community. So far we've offset our print by having 1,737 trees reforested since joining in 2019! 🌲
GUESS WHAT! It's FRIDAY! Here's a flick to kick off the weekend for all you warriors.
Mountain Life
  • Home
  • About
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
  • Advertising

Input your search keywords and press Enter.