The Faces of TGR’s “Pressure Drop”: McRae Williams

MW: McRae Williams, 34 years old, from Park City, Utah.

MW: While filming up at Great Bear Heli we stumbled across a super cool face with all sorts of features: runnels, spines, double stage cliff drops, and just pristine looking snow. I had scoped a line from below and we jumped in the heli for a quick bump to the top. When we got up there I discovered that the drop point for the line I planned to ski was guarded by a school bus sized overhanging cornice, so that was quickly rendered a no go. I immediately pulled out my phone and had to spontaneously map out a different line based off the photos I had taken from the bottom, not ideal but rather commonplace when skiing/filming in the backcountry. I found a cool looking spine/runnel feature leading into what appeared from the photo to be a pretty manageable but mandatory double stage cliff exit.

As I began working my way down the line, I quickly realized that things were much bigger than the photos had made them out to be. The snow was absolutely grade A, but with good deep snow comes big slough. I started to pick up speed trying to beat the loose snow cascading down behind me. As I threw on the brakes just before the mando double I went blind in a cloud of snow, aka the “white room”. As I emerged from the white room I ended up clipping a rock on the take off of the first drop that nearly sent me over the handle bars. Somehow, I managed to recover and gain control as I aired off the second stage of the double which ended up being significantly bigger than anticipated and caught this perfect little micro transition under the cliff to stomp and ride out clean. As I looked back at the plumes of cold smoke from the slough billowing over the cliffs, I realized I had just gotten away with murder, one of those feelings we adrenaline junkies just can’t get enough of. Without a doubt the most memorable line of the trip for me, one of those lines one might deem loose but lit haha.

MW: I'm usually bringing two pairs of skis, the Volkl Revolt 114 for big line charging, and the Revolt 121 for backcountry booters or more playful terrain like pillow lines and cliff drops. I'm running a 2021 Skidoo Summit 850 with a MoPros ski rack and heated boot bag to keep the feet happy. The MoPros tunnel racks are super reliable/functional even in the most extreme elements, and the heated boot bag is an absolute game changer (use code 'crae' at checkout for a discount hah). I wear pow surfing boots for the slef commute to and from the zones and always have my grassroots pow surf board along with me just in case I can sneak in a quick surf lap at the end of the day. I also carry a Garmin inReach Mini satellite communicator in case of emergency, as well as a BCA radio, transceiver, and airbag. I usually like to wear a micro puff down jacket underneath as well as some other extra layers so I have the ability to control my insulation throughout the day. Never hurts to carry a saw for building fires or getting sleds unstuck in the trees, and I usually pack an extra pair of gloves and goggle lenses as well. Can't forget lots of high-energy snacks and plenty of water as hydration is key to keep the body going all day long.

MW: It's funny, coming from a competition background you would think I would be a bit more superstitious, but I never did have a go-to pre-comp ritual. I usually just take a second to focus on my breathing and give myself a few positive words of encouragement. I do some visualizing of course, and usually pull the phone out one last time to triple check my landmarks based off a photo I have taken from the bottom of my line. I then press record on the GoPro (hopefully haha), call my drop over the radio, and send it!

MW: Just a lot more pressure. Pressure to stack clips and ski the biggest and baddest lines we can find. Getting to the trailhead while it's still dark and spending 12 hour days in the field. Riding with friends is a bit more of a laid back program-- building fires, cooking up some dogs, pow surfing, and just getting pitted on the sled.

MW: It's a bit cliché but I have to say our crew is where I drew the most inspiration on our trip to Great Bear Heli. From bouncing ideas off fellow athlete Teal Harle and our two cinematographers, Taylor and Spencer, to navigating/scouting lines in foreign terrain with our amazing and ever entertaining guide, Ken. Can't forget all the incredible staff at the lodge including the world class chefs, all the other guides, and of course the lodge owner herself, Mandy. This segment would not have been possible without everyone's individual effort to accommodate our unique needs as a film crew. It takes a village, and everyone at Great Bear went above and beyond to make this trip one for the books, and the movies, haha.

MW: Radical.

MW: Hard to say exactly. At 34 years old, I’m at a pivotal point in my life where I
know I can’t do this professional skiing stuff forever, but at the same time the
thought of doing anything else is unfathomable. I have been working hard over the past several years to build a strong and loyal relationship with TGR, and I hope to keep the dream alive for at least a few more years if not longer. Skiing is what gives me purpose and passion in life, and I’ll do whatever it takes to keep that fire burning. All that being said, I look forward to getting back in the field with TGR and crew this season.