When I wake up at 6am I check the Bridger Teton Avalanche Center and the webcams. I load my backpack up with two packs of pack of film and out the door I go. I usually park my truck at the Stagecoach, which is bar located at the bottom of the pass. I make it a rule in my life when I get out of my truck I turn my beacon on before I put on my boots. The rule goes “On at the Car, Off at the Bar”. Hitch hiking is never hard at this location. Within minutes I’m being picked up by some awesome patron and zip up the snowy road. The people that pick me up always like to talk, otherwise they wouldn’t pick me up. I love to ask people about why they picked me up, and about what they are doing that day. When we start to reach the top of the pass I ask the driver if I can take their photograph and explain the project. I never once had a person say NO to me. I pull out my polaroid camera and snap two photographs. One for me and one for them. I feel that this is my way of giving back to the driver and saying thank you for the ride. After this well its time to go shred and do it all over again.

Over the years I have shared some very beautiful moments with many unique people. This project all started when I once got picked up a gentleman that was going to grab his wife’s baby bag in Driggs because his wife was giving birth. When I asked him why he picked me up. He said, “I wanted to tell someone that I’m going to be a dad”

What makes Teton Pass so unique is the hitchhiking culture. This is a place where you can feel safe and almost always find a ride within a few minutes. Hitchhiking got a bad reputation at some point and people became afraid other human beings. Don’t get me wrong you don’t always pick up people out there with a big beard, backpack, and a dog. Oh wait yes we do, because these people just had the best run and are trying to get back up for one more. We use the kindness of people and their transportation to ski the most amazing powder skiing in Wyoming and Idaho. 

Every ride I have taken is amazing and I thank everyone who has picked me up. So next time you see someone on the side of the Teton Pass don’t be afraid to pull over share a ride and share a story.