SheJump's good friend, Abbott Smith of BaseCamp Packs, worked with our very own Claire Smallwood, Erin Bragg, and Hannah Whitney, to create a special edition SheJumps pack. Abbott just got his first batch of models in a little over a month ago, just in time for SnowSports Industries of America convention in Denver. Lucky for him, too, because he completely sold out! Congrats Abbott! Check them out www.basecamppacks.com, it's no wonder with those ultra sweet colors and removable back protection. Abbott is a regular on the Freeskiing World Tour scene, but recently broke his ankle. Heal quick, Abbott! Mountain Sports International, who coordinates the FWT, caught up with Abbott, as well as another friend of SheJumps, Nick Whittemore, who owns a small, hand-made, but quickly growing ski company out of Golden, CO, Fortitude Skis, to talk about starting up their own companies. P.S. the photo is me wearing the SheJumps BaseCamp Pack during a pow day in Vail. —Associate Editor, Leah Fielding

FREESKIING WORLD TOUR ATHLETES CLAIM THEIR STAKE

As skiers we are a strong force, a force that drives an industry with our power to make decisions through our purchases. For some, the constant barrage of new products in the ski industry can be disgusting.  I mean who are all of these products really made for anyways?  Is it for the, I ski 5 days a year in Aspen wearing my Bogner one-piece guy, or is for the point it, send it, and hope for the sickbird award demographic? As we all know, whether we choose to accept it or not, skiing would not be what it is today if it wasn’t for those Bogner wearing one-piece folk we all like to hate on.  A few skiers from Colorado who are regular faces on the Subaru Freeskiing World Tour were tired of being a secondary market to the major players of the ski industry. With that being said they took the situation into their own hands and created their own companies. Nicholas Whittemore founder and owner of Fortitude skis and Abbot Smith owner and founder of Base Camp packs, were kind enough to drop some knowledge on MSI about their current endeavors as entrepreneurs, consumers, athletes, and most importantly skiers.

MSI: With so many companies out there what motivated you to create your own products?

Nick: I saw the ski industry moving in a direction that just did not sit well with me.   It seemed that almost every ski was increasingly more, made in China, and we kept breaking them!  I wanted to make skis that would last and I also wanted to surround myself with skiing at the same time.  Having a graphic designer that is taking the graphics to a sweet level and having a product made at home was enough drive to get the job done.

Abbot: I knew I’ve always wanted to start my own business, but everything came to light about a year ago.  I had some good ideas for packs and saw that not many companies have been entering the backpack market, so I decided to send it and put these ideas and the company into motion.

MSI:  Nick, All of your graphics on the 2009/2010 line of fortitude skis all seem to share a common theme of ...um.. Acids trips, or just share similar cartoon styles. Can you tell me a little bit about the design of them?

Nick: Hahahahaha!  We have one graphic artist who does most of the designs, though ideas, inputs and work comes from the skiers as well. We are a rider owned and operated company, every design and aspect comes from everyday experiences and thoughts.  We want original designs that stand out.   We want to be heard!

MSI: Nick, I noticed your team is compiled of some regular faces from the FWT, some of whom are known as some of the most dangerous skiers on tour, and yes I am referring to Abbots near death line in Telluride last winter.  Are you specifically asking these guys to test the durability of your skis?

Nick: Ya that was pretty gnarly…. Yes, absolutely I wanted to see the durability of the skis, where they failed if they failed and how I would be able to make them stronger where they were having trouble. Now, I am not asking any riders to pick a death line by any means, that’s the riders decision on where and what lines they chose to do!  I am glad that the ski did not break at all from that line.

MSI: Abbot Your team is also compiled of some FWT regulars, like Chris Tatsuno, Matt Potter, Erin Bragg, and the Dujardin brothers.  What can we expect from the Base Camp Crew this season?

Abbot: Everyone on tour works their ass off, as well as skis their ass off.  There is no better way to have my products on the best skiers in the world working hard to promote their skiing and my product.  Why wouldn’t I turn to the FWT and MSI family to help promote and test my product?  We’ve got some other great skiers and riders with us as well, so be sure to check out the site this winter to see where the packs have been and where they are going.

MSI: Abbot, I noticed a smart design feature with your packs, the idea of integrated body armor and protection. Is this something you wanted to create from certain past experience?

Abbot: I have had a spinal injury from skiing, though I’ve just always been a big advocate of body armor.  I’ve seen some backpack companies attempt to use this idea in their packs as well, though there was some room for improvement.  Most companies will throw some additional foam in the pack and call it a day. I saw that thermoforming would be extremely easy as well as the most effective way to accomplish a protective framing system.   So I built a thermoforming machine and started designing possible frames.  From this I was able to build the foundation for the Freeride Pro series packs as well as our Straight Jacket.

MSI: Last year you might have skied the most dangerous line in FWT history in Telluride, surviving, but with some kidney stitches. What was going through your head at that run? Would a Base Camp Pack have prevented that wound?

Abbot: When people see the scar, I tell them I woke up in a bathtub of ice, claiming places like Telluride are in the rough part of Colorado.  But seriously, I have skied that line before, it just didn’t work out this time and fortunately I got out of the crash with only a few stitches.  A BC pack would be a great thing to be wearing in those instances, though at any moment skiing, an accident can happen, which is why almost everyone is wearing helmets, and why I’ve become such a big advocate in wearing spinal protection/body armor.  I’m just trying to make the protection an extension of something you may already use, rather than creating another layer or article on your body.

MSI: What is the "Worst Case Scenario" Frame system that comes in your packs?

Abbot: Safety is always a big issue with me. The WCS framing system is exactly what it sounds like; the frame can be utilized as a splint or a shovel in those unfortunate Worst Case Scenarios.

MSI: It seems you are creating some cool collaborations with other companies like SheJumps. How did that relationship come about?

Abbot: I love all the girls over at She Jumps and in every way am trying to help support their cause.  They have done a great job in creating an awesome pack and I can’t wait to see all of the amazing jumpers out on the mountain this year.  I need to give big ups and thanks to Claire Smallwood for all of the hard work over there at She Jumps.  You can check everything out at SheJumps.org.

MSI: Any other collaboration we should keep our eyes open for?

Abbot: You might see that the MSI ninjas will be sporting some new Rasta
gear.

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