A Survival Challenge

Not a problem, a challenge

As we settled into our new lives living among people that where much crazier than us, we headed to a new zone. With a quick stop in Sibiu at our guide Martins house for the night we moved up to a much steeper Mtn range and what would turn out to be more of an adventure than the previous couple days if that was even possible.

This dog had emotional issues

We arrived to the Romania Chinese downhill race. This would be the start of problems. Problem 1, too windy and socked in to run the cable car. Well what we call problems they call challenges. No cable car, no big deal. The entire field started a 3 hour hike up the valley, through the forest and straight up a chute to the starting point. They proceeded to ride in 3-meter visibility with no regard to safety.

Visibility was a issue

As the race ended and the locals fired up their BBQ and after party, we got loose on some jib action. We were quickly joined by some locals that might have not been up to par for the course as they spent more time landing in trees than even getting close to the landing. But we rewarded their efforts and had a great session with the local crew. Eiki was the main stunt man and wowed the local people on vacation so much he ended up having dinner and dancing with them later that night in true family style celebration.

Backflips are always crowd pleasers

The last adventure of the day was when a screaming girl came running up to our crew in fear for her friends life. I guess a local crew had 1 member disappear and he was buried in a slide. He was making phone calls from his cell phone where he somehow had access and an air pocket. With a rescue team out in full force and small area of idea where he should be he was found and ok. He was buried for just under 3 hours and would be taken out by ambulance to the hospital to recover.

The Winner of the Chinese Downhill

The trip was getting more hectic by the day, but more interesting as well. Make sure you get a copy of “No Correct Way” in stores fall of 2008 to see the trip in full.

No Correct Way to shred

Eiki becoming part of the local culture