Show on mapWe nailed the Sassongher line today!
We nailed the Sassongher line today!
Today was quite cool! We finally nailed that line variation off the Val Scura couloir on Sassongher. This was extremely satisfying getting to ski such a unique line. Conditions in the couloir were still very hard and icy in places so the skiing was slow and careful. Traversing/hiking the ramp out of the couloir did not present much of a problem and it was a very cool feeling knowing what we were heading out to. The snow on the slope above the cliff was firm and icy and not much fun but it was only about 3 or 4 four turns long before the jump. We spent a lot of time on a rope looking over the edge of the cliff in a few different spots and throwing rocks to figure out how big the cliff was and how to manage this jump. I must say that it seemed a bit more spicy than we were expecting. The cliff bulged out further than we were hoping at the bottom and this made for a very intimidating looking jump. There was a minimal amount of snow at the edge of the cliff due to melt back so the best spots to ski off from were not doable. JT threw some rocks and we got a few 9 second rock drops and then we knew it was on! I had opted to not even bring my wingsuit today so I geared up for a standard slider up ski base jump. JT had brought his wingsuit and was feeling the wingsuit ski base. We called the MSP film crew on the radio and they fired up the heli and it as time to charge off this sucker! I went first and punched it hard into a big ol front flip with as much speed as I was comfortable taking in those conditions. Everything went great and I had an on heading opening. I flew down completely stoked and landed high up on the hillside so I could watch JT from a good angle. No more than 30 seconds after I landed I see JT flying off the cliff with a lot of speed. He yanked his skis off right away and began to fly immediately. It was a perfectly executed wingsuit ski base. Skis off quick and stable and into forward flight with no potato chipping or instability. I was jealous. Today was a good day!
Shane
(174 votes, average: 4.46 out of 5)
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Though I never met you, your skiing inspired me and many, many others. The community has lost one of the great pioneers today.
“There is something about McConkey…”
did you find it mate?
R:I:P
RIP…
RIP. I’m shocked….
You are an inspiration to the world. Not just skiing, but the world. You taught us that we all need to go out and live life to the fullest. No regrets, No fear. R.I.P. You will be missed.
Been a big fan for years. Thanks for the inspiration. Will miss you.
You were an inspiration to me — thank you for living the life you did. I don’t know what to say. God bless you, wherever you are.
Just a fan, and always amazed. Sorry to see you go so soon.
Thank you for your forward thinking. Rest in Peace.
I will think of you every time I strap my pontoons on.
With out knowing who in the hell I am,You have given me a whole
new world of skiing. Just the thing for a 52 year on dog to stay in the hunt! God Bless you and your family.
I’ve always been a big fan of Shane, ever since i was a dirtbag ski bum doing by first season in the alps.
I’m gutted that he is gone, and will think of him next time i get up in the mountains
I hope that his family get throught this difficult time.
Shane, all of Canada misses you. You’ll be remembered as a phenomenal athlete with an adventurous spirit as big as the mountains you’ve skied. Our hopes to your wife, daughter, family and friends to always smile in remembering you. RIP crazy canuck.
Shane, you inspired. You were the fearless face of this awesome sport. Goodspeed, brother. And bless your family.
Shane thanks for sharing your joy for living full out . Whether paragliding or base jumping, facing our fears and taking action reminds us what we can do in our lives if we take some chances and go for it. RIP
I can’t find the words to express how I feel about losing you. I’ve never met you, although I always wanted to. You were an inspiration to me in life, and you will still be my idol even in death. You will be dearly missed by the ski community and by anyone who has ever met you. The world has lost a superhero. Thank you for being the man I could look up to, the man whose legacy I may never live up to but to whom I can always aspire to be like. Thank you for showing me what happens when you look fear dead in the face and say, “fuck you.” My condolences to your beautiful family. Rest in Peace, Shane. The world will never be the same without you. My life will never be the same without you. We will never forget you.
Skiing has lost a true legend with you gone Shane… I just watched Claim and your part was probably my favorite and most entertaining ski parts I’ve ever seen… You will be missed… I send my deepest condolences to all your friends and family and thank you for everything you have done for the sport and for inspiring me… R.I.P. Brother
What a Daredevil…He did not waste his life…He lived It!!!
Shane was one of my favorite skiers to watch. You will be sadly missed buddy!
Shane,
You are my hero…when i saw your segments in ski movies 1, 2, and 3 you made me want to be a skier…you will never know how much the world is goin to miss you… im gonna miss you too…thanks for being such an inspiration…you made me the man I am today and i will think about you everytime i click into my skis…rest in peace man… you will be missed
big inspiration to the world RIP shane we will miss you…):
I only just heard of the death of Shane McConkey. I never met him but in 1960 when I was about four and a half years old, Jim McConkey, who had recently skied the Grand Teton couloir from the summit (a first)took me up Mt.Lincoln at Sugar Bowl. I was so small that the chair hit me in the back and pitched me into the net. It took Jim about four hours to ski me down that mountain but he ignited in me a passion for extreme fun that still burns today. I’m kinda assuming that Shane is/was Jim’s boy. We all owe a great debt to those who inspire us. Don’t rest in peace shred heaven with St. Peter’s crew.
to bad you had to go like that, i miss u bro i was so looking foward 2 skiing wit u at squaw… 2 bad
your bro,
God Bless. I never had the pleasure of meeting you, yet my perception of life and happiness has been influenced by your demeanor, humor and relentlessly good attitude. You have inspired us all to enjoy life and pursue whatever passion we may have. Thank you. You will continue to live on through the memories, thoughts and lives of those who survive you. RIP Shane
RIP Shane. We should all be so lucky to die doing what we love. You will be missed.
RIP Shane.
RIP Shane. I went to a screening of “In Deep” last night here in Vancouver. It was nice to see the crowd paying you a ton of respect. You’re going to be missed for sure
RIP Mate…
My best to your family
Just saw In Deep yesterday in Park City. The stories Shane’s mom told before the movie were great. He was an awesome skier and an even more awesome person. Will miss you, Shane.
Shane was a great athlete, an innovator, and a tremendous person. He truly inspired innumerable people to live.
He did all the things that he said he would do in one of those papers they have you write in 8th grade. He did every one of them.
His legacy is eternal, and he continues to inspire.
A great man, a deep loss.
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