‘BAKER’ SHORT FILM

Returning from our bottomless binge that was Alaska, Sam Cohen and I (Nate Cahoon) decided remaining at the snow deprived slopes of Utahs confused resorts was not an option for our still buzzing powder hangover. As the wise know, the best cure comes from the source in which it was obtained. Thus pointing us back north, just not quite as far as last time. Mt. Baker, WA was going off and our solution was to part ways with home in exchange for the open road. One more crew member and the ship would be ready to sail. Who better than our Alaskan host, Zach Halverson.

With the truck packed, we were on our way across the Western United States. Zachs flight was set to arrive in Seattle by 7 o’ clock that evening. Too delirious to do the math, we were unsure if we would make it on time or not. However the ship sailed true for as we entered the city limits Sam got a phone call from Zach, “yeoo dude, my plane just landed. Meet me curbside?” We couldn’t believe it. Slamming through that airport in a matter of minutes we were on the road again, ready for the deeeep.

After a couple more tireless, window gazing hours we found ourself entering the quiet town of Glacier, Washington. We were to be staying with a long time local that Sam had met in years prior while competing at Crystal Mountain for the Junior Freeskiing Tour. I had never met this guy but I trusted Sam’s judgement and was down for the adventure. As we pulled off of the Mt. Baker highway down the long driveway, I felt as though we had entered a scene from the Goonies. It was very different than any place I had ever seen, for the house was surrounded by moss and vegetation was growing out of every crack. Tom and Micky, were at the door happy to meet and greet us. Grabbing bags we ran inside searching for what we would call beds for the week. Three twin mattresses stuffed inside a room seemingly only capable of fitting two. Tight, but it was all needed.

The next morning we woke up early, collected our ski stuff, and ran out the door to meet up with the Evangelista brothers (local skiers our age that Sam had met at Mt. Baker the previous November). A quick stop at the Wake n’ Bakery and we were on our way. We drove up to the top of the zone, a 5 minute walk to the edge of the parking lot, then BOOM! We were waist deep adventuring through an unfamiliar forest in search of the biggest pillows we could find. The Evangelista Bros knew right where to go and we had an awesome day on the mountain! The day of filming went smoothly and snowed the entire time.

Down time off the mountain was spent downloading footage, sharing stories from the day, and blowing glass sculptures. Tom is an experienced glass blower and has his own workshop in a shed on the side of his house. He has been blowing intricate glass trophies for the winners of the Junior Freeskiing Tour for several years now and let me be one to tell you; they are sick! He will blow out full on skiers doing tail grabs, eagles, and other crazy ass stuff then put it on top of a base and just like that a super sick piece of art is crafted.

Aside from being a skilled glass artist, Tom and his wife Mickey have also been living and skiing at Mt. Baker for the last 15 years. Tom is said to know every turn on the mountain so when we got the chance to ski Tom and Micky it was an experience to remember. They took us to the spots where they have taken some good shots before while filming for their next big home video. It was interesting to see how they observed the terrain, then compare that with what the fresh young minds of today did with the same features. Although time progress’s and skiing changes we are all still there for the same passion. Skiing is timeless, Baker is timeless, mountain life is timeless.

-Nate Cahoon