Backcountry Magazine 143 - The Perspectives Issue

On the Cover: Not long after Nick Russell started riding in the backcountry, he became disheartened by filmmakers' creativity-killing insistence on repeatedly attempting tricks on terrain features. He left that style of riding behind, seeking out big lines and remote peaks instead, but as he shows on this lip near Lake Tahoe, he's still down for a good slash on a good feature. [Photo] Andrew Miller   THE PERSPECTIVES ISSUE DELAYED GRATIFICATION While Nick Russell's peers were competing in the X Games and landing sponsorships, he was developing a reputation as a hard-charging splitboarder who eschewed snowmobiles and heli-drops. Russell's single-minded dedication didn't immediately translate into financial success, but his exploits have finally paid off. And unlike other professional splitboarders who found the skintrack after retiring from freeride competitions, Russell has built his career entirely around human-powered riding. CALL OF THE WILD From the summit plateau of Hankin Moun