Into Thin Air

Nov 17, 2011 at 11:25
by Sebastian Doerk  
Views: 73,298    Faves: 1,214    Comments: 114


It gives you a tremendous feeling of security if you’re all roped up with a guide while hiking through the rugged cliffs and icy deserts of the Ortler massif. Well at least that’s one of my thoughts when crossing the path with other maximum-equipped mountaineers. I’ll never find out how it feels... When travelling with Harald & Martin our bikes become the ice pick, a rain jacket transforms into a sled and riding skills is the only thread our health depends on.

Cevedale First Descent

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Cevedale First Descent

For me that’s the ultimate freedom, crawling out of the tent early in the morning just to see the milky way and the stars disappear into the sunrise, it gives you a feeling of being invincible. On a hike & bike day there’s many possibilities to prove whether that’s true or not…

photo

photo

First descending a mountain is a weird thing, at first you have to find a white spot on the map where nobody else was crazy enough to climb a massive rock just to carve some virgin lines into snow & dust. Even if you plan it for months and forever read maps nobody can actually tell whether the mountain you're looking at is ridable. When we finally arrived at Monte Cevedale our jaws dropped quite a bit as the mountain hut owner told us that an italian trials biker had been side hopping up the glacier just two weeks ago. Different approach, I guess... I mean how can you hop up somewhere and not enjoy the downhill?

Cevedale First Descent

Awesome Singletrails on World War I tracks reward greatly for the exhaustion higher up, no trialers to be seen here!

Singletrail at Pizzini Mountain hut


Author Info:
infinitetrails avatar

Member since May 8, 2009
19 articles

106 Comments
  • 73 0
 People who say anything negative about this video should really think first before posting. This is beautiful. The attitude, the respect, the shots, the riding, the music. I was hooked and didn't want it to end. Pure emotion trapped into a short 8 minutes. Respect for the first descent guys. I love it.
  • 9 42
flag GoAnDRiDe (Nov 18, 2011 at 1:07) (Below Threshold)
 Yeah greatvideo,well from what i watched..the music made me fall asleep!
  • 39 0
 The only negative thing I have to say is that this article makes me want to buy a new bike and go to the Alps, which I really can't afford to do right now!
  • 8 0
 Thumbs up for putting the adventure back in mountainbiking. Im just a tad bit confused about the song choice, I was under the impression that since the way back home video everyone and their mother associates that song with Danny Mac...but it certainly is a great song...
  • 12 1
 Whoa. One of the best, most artistic videos I've ever seen. Gives 'technical' riding a whole new meaning.
  • 4 1
 Unbelievable.
  • 2 1
 This would be a great VOD. The beauty of riding there simply, wow.
  • 4 0
 Agreed. This is the best video I've watched in a while. I think this type of riding is about to explode. I wish we had more access in this part of the world.
  • 3 0
 Absolutely fantastic video and article. I've been wanting to do something like this for a while. Not necessarily a first decent, but just something adventurous and out of the ordinary that inspires people to get outside and enjoy what our world has to offer. This type of riding and adventure has a profound appeal to me and in the future I really hope to be able to have a similar experience to these gentlemen. Thank you for the inspiration and the desire to do something extraordinary.
  • 2 0
 Stoked guys, thanks for the comments.
  • 1 0
 Some of that was so sketchy. Great riding and vid.
  • 1 0
 thats probably the freshest water you will ever drink!! Big Grin
  • 2 0
 this is literally the best thing i have ever seen...ever...I have always wanted to do something like this and have dreamed about it ever since i was 10...well done guys that was simply amazing
  • 2 2
 i think the vid is awsome too, but i think its lame that you are trying to tell people not to say anything negative about something, they have every right to say it sucks that you do to say it's awesome.
  • 1 0
 un. real.
  • 1 0
 I actually got neg propped cus i watched this video at like 1 am and fell asleep to the music...pinkbike yer so dope
  • 2 0
 I wanna see a video of the trials rider hopping up the side of the mountain. THATS nuts.
  • 2 0
 A PB user just send me this last night, it's hilarious: www.striscialanotizia.mediaset.it/video/videoextra.shtml?13846
  • 16 0
 Hell yeah, this is what mountainbiking is all about. Danke schön!
  • 2 0
 thats right Wink
  • 3 0
 This world is an amazing place! I'm happy to think, as mountain bikers, we are the few who get to see and appreciate it so much! Great video!
  • 1 0
 Very few who call themselves mountain bikers are fortunate to experience such places. It's where you live, will you go to such remote place from your comfy school/office? Do you have what it takes in terms of skill, fitness, equpiment and experience? When you get there, will the trail be accessible? even if it is, will the weather allow you to go?

And that's not a bad thing... I think many who have been there agree with me. These places are for the narrow elite and let it stay that way even if it means that I am not "invited" either
  • 7 0
 one of the best video seen on pinkbike amazing adventure
  • 4 0
 agreed, probably my all-time favorite on pinkbike. So inspiring! Great filming as well.
  • 3 0
 that's the journey of a lifetime. the idea of sitting on top of the highest point as far as you can see, eating a simple meal of bread, cheese, and coffee with that kind of view is absolutely amazing.
  • 5 1
 If that video doesn't want to make you drop everything and live life to the fullest... well... I don't know what to tell ya. Truly inspirational.
  • 1 0
 meant to +ve prop not -ve sorry
  • 3 0
 What an amazing video, truely captured the soul of Mountainbiking... going out and discovering the mountains with your bike and a buddy... VOD? No, VOAT (Video of all times)! Smile
  • 2 0
 Awesome to see that other people blending mountaineering and biking. I always stash the bike, never thought of carrying it up the glacier... this just opened my mind to so many new adventures!
  • 2 0
 Dream vacation right there. Screw beaches. Mountaineering is something so different, so exciting, and (IMO) the best way to relax... if you don't count the physical strain lol. Those views are simply amazing!
  • 2 0
 Probably my favorite mtb video ever, so inspiring and beautiful. Too bad it's not an hour long! (Future project, guys?) THIS is mountain biking, and it makes me want to go bike and live in the rockies like never before.
  • 1 0
 This is the soul of the sport. I was a bit apprehensive at first as I was taken aback by the idea of hiking up snowy peaks with a bike on the back but I got what they were after. This is very inspirational. I can't wait to get back up to the high country here in Colorado.
  • 1 0
 HERE IN TOLUCA, MEXICO, WE RODE AT 4,300 Meters over the sea level. Yo can drive your car at 3,700mts, and then push your bike into the volcano crater at 4,300mts and then go Downhill to Coatepec town at 1,900mts. Awesome. See my Album, ando also Haitman´s Album
  • 1 0
 These guys are literally carving out The Golden Standard of Mountain Biking... they pwn Europe's mountains :-))
Between Sebastian Doersk and Colin Stewart there's also some awfully awesome filming talent being deployed as well.

Paul
  • 1 0
 Transfixed to the screen for 8 minutes. That is the source, what it's all about. Mountains, mountaineers and mountain bikes. Those boyo's are keeping it real. More of this ! Much more !
  • 1 0
 My two favorite hobbies combined, mountain biking and mountaineering. I loved every second of it. I wish it were a full length video. Thank you guys, you have inspired us all.
  • 1 0
 Oh I get it THIN air like hard to breath... also like vanishing up and not being seen anymore.
Take note that extremely high levels of sarcasm are involved here. but in all seriousness: this is awesome
  • 4 0
 wow.
  • 2 0
 Loved this video! Beautiful scenery.The climb and decent requires incredible strength and skills. I am very impressed!
  • 1 0
 Thumbs UP ! Great trail !
Can I download the movie from somewhere ? I'd like to play it in my car when going to ride my bike .
  • 2 0
 to go on an adventure like that would be the greatest experience of my life for sure!
  • 1 0
 If you liked this, check out Harald Philip's blog... www.summitride.com he was one of the riders in the film and has been making films like this for ages
  • 1 0
 Harald - hey, i got another flat can you pass me another spare tube?
Martin - um... that was the last spare tube.

(still a sick vid and would love to do it.)
  • 1 0
 Amazing, inspiring, I absolutely love it. True big-mountain biking at it's best - It seems that Germans are the world leaders in bicycle mountaineering Big Grin
  • 1 0
 when people talk big mountain riders i usually laugh.. great to see you guys represent what a real big mountain rider looks like...respect boys!
  • 1 0
 the best vid ive ever seen, I can only envy you breakfast in this place Smile vod!
  • 1 0
 This has given me the confidence to ride in the snow this year! Fantastic video, sums up pure mountain biking!
  • 1 0
 That was incredible! I liked how they were carving in the snow with their bikes.
  • 1 0
 richtig geiles video. und die typen fahren auch noch solche traumbikes von Liteville. echt cool.
  • 1 0
 If I could put this under exclusive favorite's it sure as heck would be there...
  • 1 0
 Proper gnarly video right , the only thing that would make this trip more extreme would be to ride UP the mountain XP
  • 1 0
 No words enough to describe what they felt. The only way to do it yourself!!!
  • 2 0
 amazing.....great work and sick scenery
  • 2 0
 Hell yeah again. Great piece oft art.
  • 2 0
 oh man,it's great..for me it's video of the year Big Grin
  • 1 0
 VOD..........my favourite video....ever...i want to go ride and climb that route before i die Smile
  • 1 0
 Your bike, that view!. A good coffee, a piece of bread and jamón serrano! Can life get any closer to heaven?... Big Grin
  • 2 0
 LOL LOL LOL - that was NOT Jamon Serrano, hombre...
That most probably was air dried and smoked Speck (a lean ham cut typical of the Tirol region).
Another very good reason to visit the region is excellent food, besides the epic trails :-))

Hasta...

Paul
  • 1 0
 Oh!... It wasn't?... Then I don't like that %^& video anymore!!!... LOL!!!...
I'll love to visit the region... It's a long way from here... But absolutely worth it!...
  • 1 0
 great video but what up with "the sounds of children laughing makes my eyes bleed"??
  • 2 1
 such an amazing video! amazing places! and amazing footages!!!
  • 1 0
 looks like the perfect mtb-adventure! :-)
  • 1 0
 Spectacular! Vielen Dank!
  • 1 0
 ok now i go ride a bike like this two guys but only in my dreams
  • 1 0
 I was scared just watching this if you mess up once your dead!
  • 1 0
 Pure adventure! Unfortunately very rare video. Hope more will follow...
  • 1 0
 This is one of the greatest things I've seen in a while. Truly inspiring!
  • 1 0
 this makes me want to ride so bad
  • 2 1
 Awesome... balls, skills and passion.
  • 1 0
 Some one hug me..... its so beautiful!!!!
  • 1 0
 wax on wire. awesome addition.
  • 1 0
 wow,its seem to trip of my dream ,if possible!
  • 1 0
 Awesome pictures from a mountain adventure in his best form.
  • 1 0
 EPIC.... PURE MTB and excellent adventure !!
  • 1 0
 I have no words for this video except >> This is a WAY OF LIFE !!!
  • 2 0
 ...Danke schön!!! Smile
  • 1 0
 One of the best movie ever! Awesome!
  • 1 0
 I thought getting stoked was banned?
  • 2 1
 amazing, makes me want to go on an epic adventure with my bike.
  • 2 1
 my VOW (video of the weekend) 'm astonished !
  • 1 0
 You said it audioshnoll! "just wow"!!
  • 1 0
 Fantastic video, what an adventure!
  • 1 0
 that's what I want to start doing next year outside racing.
  • 1 0
 perfect job, and a good way to explain mountain bike
  • 1 0
 stunning.....stunning....stunning......epic ride
  • 2 1
 All-Mountain at its core.
  • 1 0
 wow that was EPIC blow my mind, nice job...... i am doin that sometime
  • 1 0
 Very similer to Big-Col videos,Just Awesome!!!
  • 1 0
 Beautiful film.

In HD if anyone is interested - vimeo.com/32143140
  • 1 0
 beautiful, wonderful, fantastic!, deserved a grammy award
  • 1 0
 I think this captures most aspects of mountain biking perfectly.
  • 2 1
 Inspirational!
  • 2 1
 2nd that
  • 2 1
 8:02 Amazing shot!
  • 2 1
 8 minutes of epic
  • 1 0
 WOW !!
  • 2 1
 Awesome!
  • 2 1
 I wish I could be there.
  • 1 1
 This is what life is all about...
  • 2 1
 just wow
  • 2 1
 amazing
  • 2 1
 Awesome Video !
  • 2 1
 Sick. Mega respect.
  • 1 0
 Ser geil!
  • 1 0
 einfach gut.
  • 2 4
 music sucked.







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