How was Japan for You?

“On Monday, March 24, 2025, we lost our dear friends and colleagues—Alex Pashley, Jeff Keenan and beloved guide Jason Remple—to a natural avalanche in the Clute Creek Watershed near Kaslo, BC. Miraculously, one member of their party, Clay Mitchell, survived with serious injuries. His recovery is ongoing.

Prior to the accident, I picture them standing together, shooting the shit, laughing—in their happy place, surrounded by like-minded folks, in the mountains. That thought makes me smile, and it makes me tear up. 

Here, we honor and remember them doing what they loved: Pashley ripping a powsurfer in western Wyoming [left] and Jeff wrangling a rowdy pillow stack in the British Columbia interior [right]. 

Processing this tragedy is ongoing for countless folks across the mountain community. No words can heal, but please know we’re all in this together. We send love to all affected, now and forever.” – Colin Wiseman

Photos: Ben Gavelda [left] and Mike Yoshida [right]

“Kevin Gillespie with a sunset switch front board in St. Paul, MN. Although it looks smooth, the runout is hectic, narrow and next to a big tree. Luckily, Kevin got it in under 10 tries.” Photo: Peter Limberg

Left: “As the morning sun lit the standalone peak of Mt. Daisen, Japan, I set up far away, completely out-of-sight, at a spot I’d scouted for years. Takanori Ogami dropped in, drawing a wide, free turn across the perfect composition shaped by wind patterns and shadows, probably unaware he was even being photographed.” Photo: Takashi Iwato

Right: “I had my eye out for interesting characters the whole time we were in Japan. Clockwise from top left: Austin Sweetin in Hakuba after the deepest run of our lives—literally nipple-deep on him. A gas station attendant shoveling snow while we filled up—his pride in the task really stuck with me. At Appi Kogen Ski Resort, this guy skated past and his kit was screaming, ‘Look at me.’ A snowboard patroller we met at Appi Kogen. Photos: Josh Poehlein

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