The blue room

Check out the story behind Marc’s breathtaking image.

The first Speed Ride track through a natural Ice Tunnel!

Hey Marc, I got new project you might be interested in.
What’s it all about?

I recently discovered a massive ice tunnel, 3000 meters above sea level on a Split board Tour. I’m not sure, but I could probably fly with my Speedrider through.
Are you kidding or what?

The location is awesome, let’s give it a try tomorrow, are you in?
For sure I’m in, let’s go!

“Light weight equipment was necessary.”

The Gear

2,5 hours of hiking on my split board at a minimum altitude of 3000m above sea level was the call for the next day. Light weight equipment was necessary.

My decision went fort the Canon 5DsR camera with its manageable size to get as much detail as possible. § In addition to that, I needed a powerful fast flash duration to illuminate the whole tunnel and capture fast action.

My choice?

The Elinchrom ELB 400 battery pack; lightweight, compact, power and the possibilities to work in Hi-Sync mode and having a fast sync speed.

The Hike

Bluebird and perfect powder conditions draw a big smile on our faces the next day. The hike was gnarly.

Almost 20 kg of photo equipment at my back didn’t stay unnoticed. We often stopped to take some images on the way up. At midday we reached the summit: time for action!

Ueli Kestenholz, the rider, got ready with his Speedrider. To get to the ice tunnel we had to descent a little bit first. We decided to use this beautiful and stunning mountain area for some first action shots.

The Shoot

Ueli, the rider, got ready with his Speedrider. To get to the ice tunnel we had to descent a little bit first. We decided to use this beautiful and stunning mountain area for some first action shots.

Our tension was growing the closer we got to the ice tunnel. Ueli stopped on a small hill a few hundred meters above the tunnel and pointed to the entrance. From afar it looked rather small to me.

I wonder if he really fits with his whole Speedrider in this natural ice tunnel.

“I give it a try, the first line is worth doing it on sight” said Ueli and started his GoPro on his helmet.

“And what happens if you get stucked?” I answered a bit concerned.

“No worries mate!” replied Ueli with a big smile on his face and dropped in.

I stayed where I was and captured the whole thing in burst mode till the moment Ueli disappeared in the tunnel!

“Bingo,”

I was cheering when I saw Ueli suddenly showing up again a few seconds later about 200 meters further down. He stopped after leaving the tunnel and was delirious with joy.

I followed his skiing tracks and entered the tunnel fort the first time, incredible!

I have never seen such a natural wonder in my whole life. Imagine a natural ice tunnel with some big melted in stones as long and big as probably a sports hall.

My photographer’s heart was simply stoked and we completely lost time until we left our playground three hours later to get back home.