The Land of Portable Mailboxes!

In a land far, far away in Northern Washington lies a sleepy little town where it snows in feet not inches. It snows so much up there that they have designed special mailbox techniques to avoid destruction and burial of the coveted mail receptacles. Pulling into Mazama, Sage and I looked at each other in bewilderment as we gazed upon these funky portable mailboxes in the middle of people’s driveways. They had custom designed boxes. Some hung from chains high above the ground, others were propped in the middle of the driveway as if ready for trash pickup.
“What the hell is going on?” I asked Sage Cattabriga-Alosa as we drove down the one road town.
“I don’t know man, but those are some weird mailbox techniques.” Sage calmly replied.

A few feet of snow, three days in the vortex, and some more intense study and we began to figure out what was going on.
It snows so much in this town that the people in the know have devised all these different mailbox techniques to avoid imminent destruction and burial of their boxes. Those lazy few who have not gotten in the game have dinged and downed boxes. The postman has quit stopping to attempt to locate their boxes. They will not receive their mail until springs melt.
It is here where North Cascade Heli skiing flies 7 days a week in whatever weather is thrown at them. This is not just because they have some of the finest tree skiing on earth, but largely due to a short Irishman named Shamus. Shamus is the best storm heli ski pilot on the planet. He gets us out to the goods every day; rain, snow or shine. He has flown these mountains so many times he knows where everything is. I am convinced he could fly us blindfolded.
We just wrapped a two-week trip up in there and are still reeling from the good times and incredible riding. Here are a few shots of some deep pow freeride days and the man who made it possible, doing what he does best. Much thanks to Dave, Paul, Ken, Dale, Shamus, Phil, Phil’s Dad, Merle, the Mazama Country Store, The Basecamp crew, and everyone who showed us a really good time at this little chunk of paradise at the end of the road!

** This is the benchmark for portable mailboxes.**

** Shamus and Dale flying us to the goods**

** Sage freeride fun**

** Storm drop**

** Sage sunshine day dreams. photo:Merle**

** Seth blowing off some steam. Click on the photo to see how big Seth is going. photo: Merle**

** Sage, art stick pow**

** Shamus is the best storm pilot in the game**

** Everybody loves a faceshot!**

** Dale bringing Shamus in for more pow laps!**

** Here is what happens if you don’t have one of those dope ass portable mailboxes. photo:Sage**