Perks of The Job: A Unique Helibiking Experience
I had sat in the saddle of a mountain bike, maybe 3 times before being asked if I wanted to join Southern Lakes Helibike guides for a training day and opportunity to capture content. I looked past my inexperience, and thought "Why not!" Surely, I can bluff my way through a 3 heli-drop experience following behind and capturing 4 biking professionals down some of Wanaka's most breathtaking views.
Drop 1 - Mt. Alpha
As a "warm-up" (more like a throw in the deep end) we approached and landed atop of Mt. Alpha. Mt. Alpha is a picturesque ridgeline the connects popular hike Roy's Peak with even more popular ski area, Cardrona. You can see it from almost anywhere in Wanaka, and the view from the top overlooked the entire town. It was incredible. We unloaded the bikes and my brain was running a mile a minute trying to seem cool, calm, and collected as I started orchestrating photograph ideas and wrestling with my bike as I passed tussocks, rocks, and the drop off on either side of the ridge.
Looking back I'm pleasantly surprised by the images I got, because I struggle to remember the experience first hand from all the adrenaline that was pumping through me (although I do remember the one fall I had all day where my bike bucked me off into a tussock push as I tumbled away from my bilke.
Drop 2 - Mt. Burke
Not that the first drop intimidated me. I promise that wasn't it! But when lead guide, Doug told me that getting some shots from the helicopter would look really good, and pilot Matt told me we could fly down and stop at areas before the riders get there, sounded like a fantastic plan! So that's what we did and I got to take the descent back down in the helicopter. It wasn't necessarily easier, as I wrangled my 100-400mm lens with a moving, vibrating, helicopter threw me around in the sky, loosing my sense of balance and focus. Now that my mountain biking skills have developed, I am envious that I didn't get to ride down this mammoth of a mountain.
Final Drop - Bike Glendhu
I may have only ridden a mountain bike 3 times before this trip, but I had at least 2 of those experiences at Bike Glendhu Bike Park, so I wasn't going into this drop completely bewildered. A friend and Bike Glendhu's Operations Manager, Ted met us at the helipad and drove us the remaining distance to the top of Falcon's Nest. A spot even now after a season of riding, I know I will never make it to with my own will power and ability. So I was very grateful for the man made machines doing the work to get us there!
Bike Glendhu is a perfectly sculpted, exhilarating, fun house for grown children on two wheels. It has quickly become my second home over the warmer months and this day was no exception. I either followed the guides, or went a bit in front and waited for them to fly by. Both created some brilliant shots that I am so happy with.
Another Notch in The Photography Achievements
I'm proud to say that photographs from this shoot have gone towards my first print advertisement in Spoke Magazine for Southern Lakes Helibike.
