Backcountry Magazine 141 - The Avalanche Issue Prints & Posters Off Belay James Lucas searches

Off Belay James Lucas searches for an assistant dirtbag

The resulting images portray self-doubt

it then becomes an honor to be labeled curmudgeon

The motivational whip

Backcountry Magazine 141 - The Avalanche Issue Prints & Posters Off Belay James Lucas searchesOn the Cover: Some seasons offer endless deep, soft turns and stable conditions. Others push backcountry travelers into safer terrain as sparse snowfall creates a weak snowpack and dangerous avalanche conditions. Last winter in Austria, photographer Christoph Johann says, fit the latter description. But once spring rolled around Markus Breitfu made up for lost time on the glaciers near Kitzsteinhorn with what Johann calls a "flawless" turn. [Photo]