Alaska – Deeper, Mt McConkey

I have never been one to name first descents, but now that I am hiking and riding these unnamed and unclimbed peaks, I have started to name the special ones.  Since Shane’s death, I have been looking for one for him.  We moved camp to a new zone that is a series of 6 peaks that range from mellow to mega gnar with easy access.  This zone is the most perfect spot I have seen for plane access riding, and it is only twenty minutes from town. The biggest and baddest peak I decided to name the biggest and baddest peak after Shane.

The world knew Shane McConkey as a world-class skier and BASE jumper, but our friendship had nothing to do with that.  It was based around family and friends. What he did in the mountains was impressive, but his greatest achievement was the love and support he provided for his family and friends.

There is a lot I would like to thank Shane for.  Thank you for going out of the way to be friends with my kids.
Thanks you for all the times I was away and you stood in as a part time dad to my kids.  Thank you for developing rocker, which led to the biggest design advancement I have ever felt on a snowboard.
Thank you for showing us that the impossible was possible and doing it with humility.  Thank you for never taking life to seriously and always going out of your way to make us laugh.

Shane learned how to fly and there was no taking it away from him.  It was part of who he was and it made him tick.  He was in the right head-space, well trained and would turn down a jump with ease.  As Doug Coombs, Craig Kelley or Trevor Peterson have taught us in the past, no one is above the law when it comes to pushing it in the mountains.

The loss is hard on us all but what saddens me the most is the loss our kids will have not having you around.  Shane will be remembered by his family and friends forever. Judging by the ski racks at the local resorts, freeride comps, and heli pads around the world, he will be remembered by the skis and snowboards on our feet.

**3,000 vertical drop peak to tent. This is one of the biggest ripable mountains I have ever seen. . We booted the lookers right chute and once on top the options were endless. There is big spines, wide open faces, huge chutes, hidden bowls and a nice looking ski base off the back side.**

**This 2,000 foot spine wall is what attracted us to this zone. Ryland Bell and Jonaven Moore doing there part on the boot-pack.**

** Jonovan Moore stand on top.**

**Travis Rice thirty turns into his biggest line of the trip.**