MOUNTAIN LIFE - Coast Mountains | Fall / Winter 2017

FALL/WINTER 2017 MLCM 95 the 9th century. The word Kyrgyz translates to “40 Tribes,” a reference to the country’s fight for independence. The blocky monotone construction of the airport, a relic of soviet control of the country, felt like something straight out of a Russian Cold War spy movie. “Kyrgyzstan Kas,” our local contact, met us at the airport. Kas had the look of a Mongol warrior with the eyes of a gentle old soul. He greeted us with a huge grin and helped lift our oversized bags onto his already loaded vehicle. The road, cut into the Tian Shan mountains, seemed to slice open time as well. Shepherds on horseback meandered the edge of the modern highway while young boys selling produce waved vegetables at our swift- ly moving vehicle. As he drove, Kas recounted stories of his culture and explained that the Kyrgyz people are referred to as “people of the moun- tains.” He speaks in what we dub “skier English,” a result of hanging out with visiting skiers coming to ski with 40 Tribes, a backcountry ski outfitter Kas helps with in the winter. Kas would prove invaluable throughout our journey (and not just for his “headless goat polo” knowledge). Rafael "Rafa" Pease riding one last line before the 10 kilometre journey back to camp.