Cool article from Redbull.com about our recent Hidden Mountain project in Japan
‘Hidden Mountain’ begs to differ
For some snowboarders a season of jaunts up the nearest mountain will suppress the hunger, however for those on the more dedicated end of the spectrum this only tickles the taste buds and still leaves a hefty appetite for more adventurous and challenging expeditions.
In 2015 Kiwi’s Heath Patterson and Nick Brown were starving. They yearned to combine their love of snow with their passion for cinematography and creating short films. While working on another project in Japan, they stumbled across what would be the ideal location for their upcoming film production ‘Hidden Mountain.’
Fast forward to February 2017, Heath and Nick cunningly sweet talked six of their mates into joining them on an adventure to a remote snowy pass in back country Japan, endeavoring to build the ultimate base camp ft. snow cave ft. epic jumps.
28 grueling days, 25 tools, 8 crew and 5-hour daily round trips (on foot) to this secret location resulted in one hell of an igloo and one hell of a cinematic experience.
The idea that we build a hidden base camp at the top of a mountain pass in Hokkaido, Japan, brought back something from our childhood. It's the hardest thing any of us have ever done, but even now we all still wish we could be up there digging, building and living in the fantasy that this place turned out to be. Take me back!
Heath Patterson
Check out the gallery below, narrated by Heath.
In 2015 Kiwi’s Heath Patterson and Nick Brown were starving. They yearned to combine their love of snow with their passion for cinematography and creating short films. While working on another project in Japan, they stumbled across what would be the ideal location for their upcoming film production ‘Hidden Mountain.’
Fast forward to February 2017, Heath and Nick cunningly sweet talked six of their mates into joining them on an adventure to a remote snowy pass in back country Japan, endeavoring to build the ultimate base camp ft. snow cave ft. epic jumps.
28 grueling days, 25 tools, 8 crew and 5-hour daily round trips (on foot) to this secret location resulted in one hell of an igloo and one hell of a cinematic experience.
The idea that we build a hidden base camp at the top of a mountain pass in Hokkaido, Japan, brought back something from our childhood. It's the hardest thing any of us have ever done, but even now we all still wish we could be up there digging, building and living in the fantasy that this place turned out to be. Take me back!
Heath Patterson
Check out the gallery below, narrated by Heath.
Taiko in a blizzard© Vaughan Brookfield
Two Taiko drummers from Youtei Daiko Serve Association performing for us in a Japanese blizzard. While they were playing the snow progressively got heavier. I can honestly say I’ve never seen it snow like that ever before. It was perfect.
Two Taiko drummers from Youtei Daiko Serve Association performing for us in a Japanese blizzard. While they were playing the snow progressively got heavier. I can honestly say I’ve never seen it snow like that ever before. It was perfect.
Nick Brown building snow castles© Vaughan Brookfield
We’ve been building jumps in the back country for over 16 years. On this shoot we decided to experiment with some new techniques. This method worked surprisingly well with Japanese powder.
We’ve been building jumps in the back country for over 16 years. On this shoot we decided to experiment with some new techniques. This method worked surprisingly well with Japanese powder.
The way home© Vaughan Brookfield
Every night we would walk out from our location after dark. It was always a bit of a relief to see this view, it meant that Karaage (Japanese fried chicken) wasn’t too far away.
Every night we would walk out from our location after dark. It was always a bit of a relief to see this view, it meant that Karaage (Japanese fried chicken) wasn’t too far away.
Nick Brown at our local Lawson© Vaughan Brookfield
After a month of eating here, everything tastes the same. Chocolate could taste like chicken, sandwiches could taste like Sushi. Two words to explain it to someone who’s never been there. Pleasantly disappointing.
After a month of eating here, everything tastes the same. Chocolate could taste like chicken, sandwiches could taste like Sushi. Two words to explain it to someone who’s never been there. Pleasantly disappointing.
Rob Mitchell© Vaughan Brookfield
Rob Mitchell found time in between days of digging to lay out a few turns down the gully at Hidden Mountain.
Rob Mitchell found time in between days of digging to lay out a few turns down the gully at Hidden Mountain.
A Stag and Pointer about to make the crossing© Vaughan Brookfield
These guys were probably just as surprised to see us as we were them. They didn’t stick around long, and missed out on the show. Lucky for me that river was warm, although I wouldn’t recommend swimming in it.
These guys were probably just as surprised to see us as we were them. They didn’t stick around long, and missed out on the show. Lucky for me that river was warm, although I wouldn’t recommend swimming in it.
Nick Hyne© Vaughan Brookfield
Nick making the most of what little he can see. It's so magical up there at night.
Nick making the most of what little he can see. It's so magical up there at night.
Nick Brown scouting the valley© Vaughan Brookfield
Nick understands that you have to work hard to get those moments of gold.
Nick understands that you have to work hard to get those moments of gold.
The crew celebrating the capping of the main igloo© Vaughan Brookfield
13 days of hard labour and very little riding were had up until this point.
13 days of hard labour and very little riding were had up until this point.
Our mate the Lawson Fox© Vaughan Brookfield
We had an idea for the film which involved foxes. Unfortunately they didn’t want to be part of our production and preferred to steal our food instead.
We had an idea for the film which involved foxes. Unfortunately they didn’t want to be part of our production and preferred to steal our food instead.
Nick Hyne standing in the 4 way intersecting Igloo© Vaughan Brookfield
This was taken just before it snowed heavily and buried a lot of our work.
We had a four way intersecting igloo. The main igloo AKA 'Bigloo'was built from 100kg blocks that were 3-4 feet thick. It slept six, had a large solid ice (dining) table and chairs, as well as two outdoor areas with ice tables and chairs. The lunch igloo featured a mezzanine floor, two ice windows and a coal burner. This some how came to be called the ‘Shitloo'.
A 50 foot, head high trench with tunneling at either side, and all up 12-13 jumps.
This was taken just before it snowed heavily and buried a lot of our work.
We had a four way intersecting igloo. The main igloo AKA 'Bigloo'was built from 100kg blocks that were 3-4 feet thick. It slept six, had a large solid ice (dining) table and chairs, as well as two outdoor areas with ice tables and chairs. The lunch igloo featured a mezzanine floor, two ice windows and a coal burner. This some how came to be called the ‘Shitloo'.
A 50 foot, head high trench with tunneling at either side, and all up 12-13 jumps.
Nick Brown always found time to set off fireworks© Vaughan Brookfield
Being up there was like being a kid again, we built forts, set off rockets, and ate a lot of candy.
Watch the global premiere of Hidden Mountain on June 24 withBurton at World Bar Queenstown from 7pm, or on redbull.com/nz
#SNOWBOARDING #FILM #ADVENTURE
Written by Heath Patterson & Fliss Worsp
Being up there was like being a kid again, we built forts, set off rockets, and ate a lot of candy.
Watch the global premiere of Hidden Mountain on June 24 withBurton at World Bar Queenstown from 7pm, or on redbull.com/nz
#SNOWBOARDING #FILM #ADVENTURE
Written by Heath Patterson & Fliss Worsp
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