On The Cover - Wild #180

“This is the photograph I’d always dreamed of, yet didn’t think possible: Ben Armstrong places the first ever turn in the Federation Peak couloir, and does so in truly remarkable bluebird conditions, an event almost impossibly rare.

Back in 2017, I hiked to the mountain, deep in Southwest Tasmania, and down-climbed this chute to scope a possible ski descent. In 2020, I returned. The towering rock walls gave the sense of a proper alpine couloir. Below, the chute rolled over into the crux of the line; a steep, concave runnel slanting towards a cliff of around three metres.

As with most ski photography, there were no second chances—the snow would be ruined by the initial tracks; we needed to nail the shot first go. I spent five minutes perfecting the composition, and then Ben gave me a countdown when he was ready. Three, two, one! The camera was set to 9fps, capturing Ben airborne in his jump turn. Nailed it! He skied down to the bench in the lower right of frame and then it was my turn to ride.”

Read more about Shaun Mittwollen’s Tassie skiing in ‘One Grand Winter’ starting P80 of Wild Issue #180.

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