What I learned on my summer vacation (Epic)

[Baconzoo]

So while I was working down in New Zealand for the summer, I had a co-worker named Tony who kept quiet and to himself. I on the other hand was a loud cocky American who boasted about snowboarding in Jackson Hole and Valdez Alaska. Another co-worked noted that Tony was quite the “shit-hot” snowboarder himself. “You should go riding with Tone sometime” my worker buddy insisted. It seemed unlikely that this meek guy could rip because every time I tried to impress upon him to get radical he declined. He didn’t like to drink or party.

Then one day someone pointed out an unbelievable line through the rocks. I couldn’t believe it, it was so sick and sketch at the same time. They said it was Tony’s. He was the type to go at it alone. Humm, I need to ride with this guy I thought.

Soon after I was hearing all the hype about Tony, we hooked up for a run and a hike. I followed him to someplace he said he had gone before. While I followed in his every footstep I couldn’t help but to fear for where we were going. I’m not much of a mountain goat but my God, this was an extreme place we were going. The exposure to this peak was the gnarliest I had ever seen in New Zealand. I was getting scared shitless. When we reached the peak this is what I saw:


Tony’s mission in life is to follow in Jesus’ footsteps every step of the way. He is truly righteous, more so than anybody I've ever met. So here I was trying to follow in his path. What I felt was unlike anything I have ever felt since. Who did I think I was to try and follow in such a righteous path? How would I fair at the right hand of the Father? I was a heathen and a sinner. I would be cast out of Heaven for my selfishness. How weak and humbled I felt. That’s what Tony revealed to me that day on the high peak so close to God and he did it without saying a single word. Look at the smile on his face. Is he saying that he is number one or is he pointing to the almighty?

Tony gave up snowboarding to pursue a greater goal, he now works here picking up the dead and dying off the streets of India.
http://www.delhihouse.org/


Look at the line he did on the other face straight ahead. You can see a traverse to a 4 foot couloir which he said was so narrow that while he was pointing it through he had to narrow his shoulders. His board was scratching wall on both sides.

Tony is extreme.

[SquawMan]

that's a story that should be in Powder

awesome story and awesome picture

[Helicrackjnky]

Tony es muyt MACHO! Hats off to someone so humble w/so much sack! Wow sick arse line

[lemon boy]

Sweet story man.

BTW- that picture is great, there is a LOT to it. Really incredible.

[Superstar Punani]

I on the other hand was a loud cocky American who boasted about snowboarding

Well that's an understatement. Please tell me you didn't sideslip down that whole thing.

[Clack]

Holy Shite! (pun intended) How long is that line before you get to shave speed?

[Baconzoo]

Holy Shite! (pun intended) How long is that line before you get to shave speed?

Probably 30 -50 feet.

Skiing and boarding can bring you closer to God that's for sure.

[Canuk]

Did anyone take a look at that link? Working there is worthy of way bigger props than anything you could do on a mountain, IMHO.

Thanks, Baconzoo.

[TeleAl]

I didn't know Jesus skied. Wow, Jesus, a bro.

Nice chute.

[northwest417]

you said "get radical"

[BENDOR]

Tony sounds like an incredible person. Hats off to him for the things he's doing at that clinic. thanks for sharing, that picture is one of the best.

[iceman]

Wow, quite the story. Tony sounds like a pretty amazing guy.

And that couloir is bad enough, but the one across the way is ridiculous.

[Creeker]

I didn't go near it. He made me realize that at the moment of your judgement you're not as big as you think you are. (speaking for myself)

Coming from Mr. Baconzoo himself, that line must have been uber sketchy...

During your tenure at AM, did you ever squeeze through M1?