Part 3: The Mindset Shift

This summer, as part of a larger project exploring the evolution of expeditionary skiing and riding, we connected with Haas, a THR founder/contributor, to discuss certain aspects of the big mountain scene. In part one of our conversation, which can be found here, we frame what Haas refers to as a mindset shift when thinking about and entering larger, higher, and potentially more extreme mountain environments. Part 2, found here, focuses on frontloading psychologically and experientially for big mountain terrain. Before we get started, here’s how Haas, generally, defined big-mountain terrain, in part one: “In my opinion, the most important variable when moving into, or actually defining, a big mountain setting, is the lack of available information. This ‘information desert’ is what really differentiates your standard winter-powder scheme in known ranges.