UNCHARTED TERRITORY: Skiing in Georgia With Hans Saari Memorial Fund
For a complete gallery of images from this trip go HERE
P: What surprised you most when you got to Georgia?
JT: They love Tupac in Georgia. We had just left our hotel beginning our drive to Ushguli. We stopped at a stoplight and a BMW pulled up next to us. Tupac's lyrics filled the air with a loud bass line. Messages to Tupac were written on bus stop stations. It seemed like there was a large discrepancy between the poor and rich, especially once you get out of Tbilisi, the capitol. The techno-dance parties in Tbilisi were an experience.
P: What was the hardest part of the trip?
JT: We had five and a half days of bad weather. It was tough. Sitting in our tent beginning to wonder if we were going to be able to ski anymore. But we were awarded with some great ski conditions after the long wait.
P: What was one of the best parts of the trip?
JT: Being able to ski on Georgian snow. To climb and ski some of our main objectives got us really jazzed. On our return to Ushguli, our host family welcomed us with excitement celebrating with us. As I sat next to the fire, happy to be inside warm and dry as it rained outside, Seth and Tyler sat across from me. Our host dad Temrez, his wife, and his uncle looked over my shoulder viewing some video footage and images. I think it was then that they were able to grasp what we were trying to do.
P: Was the skiing similar to anything or anywhere else you have skied before?
JT: It was a very unique region to ski; we only experienced one very small zone of a large mountain range. On our drive into Ushguli, we were in the forest, where all the trees were green and there was plenty of water. But then you break out above treeline around 6,000 feet and see steep hillsides - probably beautiful meadows in the summer time. Around 11,000 feet, the terrain becomes very steep and rocky. The terrain reminded me of a mix between Chamonix, the Pacific Northwest and a little of Alaska.
P: How, if at all, has this experience changed the way you look at life and skiing?
JT: I remember on our drive into Ushguli, we had stopped for a quick break and our driver asked me about what type of skis I used. He didn't speak English, so with hand motions and gestures, we discussed skinny skis, shaped skis and fat skis. Most of the folks had no concept of what we were trying to do while we were there. Skiing offers a great opportunity to travel and experience new cultures. Skiing and climbing, often times are self-centered acts, but they always open the door to give back. Skiing also forges friendships, and being in the mountains keeps you humble and gives you perspective.
P: Any final words?
JT: We want to thank the HSMF for the opportunity. We want to thank Hans for his passion and enthusiasm for mountain cultures and getting others excited about skiing. He used his skis to paint his emotions on a canvas, and his life will live on because of that. Thanks to everyone that helped make this trip happen: Smith Optics, Organic Valley Farms, Sterling Ropes, Clif Bar, and many others along the way. Thanks to Merab, our interpreter, for showing us his beautiful country and the people. This fall we will be promoting the HSMF and the Svaneti Mountaineering Tourism Center (SvanetiProject.com)
For additional information on the Hans Saari Memorial Foundation please visit Hansfund.org.
For a complete gallery of images from this trip go HERE