Video & Photo Epic: Mike Hopkins - The Backyard

Sep 13, 2018
by Diamondback Bikes  
Views: 14,421    Faves: 141    Comments: 13


photo
A Simple Plan:
One month of wide open, cover as much ground as we can, exploration of our big 'ol British Columbian backyard.

A Simple Motto:
"Don't know till you go!"

A Simple Why:
Because just beyond the horizon lies one of the most badass places on planet Earth, one that is all too often overlooked. It could be that, like most of us, I took things close to home for granted. Dismissed and belittled them, you could say I had a hard time looking past the blinders of everyday perspective. Hell I used to think you needed to travel to another country to find a new experience... and then I got a clue. Turns out, there was a bloody Lifetime of adventure sitting on my doorstep. Now every summer we round up a crew of misfits and take our new found maturity, on misadventures of every kind. I mean I could sit here and chinwag about some mission of self discovery or higher purpose, but let's just put it like it is - we're just a bunch of buds being big kids in the mountains. No explanation needed.

A Simple Goal:
Be a big kid
Explore
Get in trouble
Make mistakes
Hang with your buddies
Sleep under the stars
Grin down a grizzly bear
… Less travel, More livin!

I mean what's better than that? Throw together a list of locations and hit the open road. And let me tell you we covered some ground, our shenanigan's had us chasing light up and down all sorts of monsters. We were like the Lost Boys: all fired up to find where the wilder things are, as we disappeared into the woodwork of Revelstoke, Golden, Rossland, Invermere, and the Purcell Range.

Mike Hopkins

Mike Hopkins in Revelstoke BC
Rider Mike Hopkins Location Paradise Mines Invermere BC
photo
photo
Mike Hopkins in Revelstoke BC
Mike Hopkins in Revelstoke BC



An Honest Thought with Scott Secco: Part 1

"Hopkins’ initial pitch for this endeavour sounded fun: see how many overnighter bike packing missions we could pull in a month, while trying to capture the best possible alpine shots. Having shot our Raw 100 video together on Joss Peak in Revelstoke the previous summer, I thought I knew what I was getting myself into. I did not. Our trip began with a 32km (return trip) mission up Revelstoke’s Mt. Cartier. Now, a hike of this length would normally be fine, but with camera gear and a bike it becomes a whole new beast altogether. The trail up is incredibly steep, meaning there’s not much pedalling - the true definition of a hike-a-bike. This was a dawn till dusk affair capped off with crushing a pizza at The Village Idiot, so it wasn’t all bad. Hopkins allowed us one down day and then it was on to our next mission: Joss Peak redux. The first three days pretty much set the tone for the month."



Mike Hopkins BC backcountry.
Mike Hopkins BC backcountry.
photo
photo
photo




The Art of Getting Skunked

With a clear forecast, Secco, Paris and I rambled our way to summit of Joss Peak (Day 3/30) with thoughts of gold dancing in our heads. The plan, like many of ours, was a simple one: trek the five hours to the fire tower, and proceed to mine the golden riches that only show their true colours during the retreat of a setting sun, and the first rays of a new day. But the mountains have a funny way of taking a “boiler plate forecast” and bending it anyway they please...



Views: 1,738    Faves: 2    Comments: 0

photo
Mike Hopkins in Revelstoke BC
Mike Hopkins in Revelstoke BC
Mike Hopkins BC backcountry.


THIS


Mike Hopkins BC backcountry.


IS


Mike Hopkins BC backcountry.


AWESOME!!!


Rider Mike Hopkins Location Paradise Mines Invermere BC
photo
Rider Mike Hopkins Location Paradise Mines Invermere BC
Mike Hopkins BC backcountry.


The Stoke is Real

When all the pieces come together, it's a hell of a thing! This right here is ''Gold Jerry, gold!''


Views: 1,304    Faves: 0    Comments: 0

Mike Hopkins BC backcountry.
Mike Hopkins BC backcountry.

photo
Mike Hopkins BC backcountry.
Mike Hopkins BC backcountry.
photo
Location Edge of Bugaboo Provincial Park BC


The Stats:

30 Days
14 Summits
4 Backcountry cabins
5 Nights under the stars
1 Ultra marathon (a story for another time)
3 Mountain ranges
1 Case of strep throat
2 Grizzly bears
1 Cinematographer
1 Mountain Guide
2 Photographers
1 Pro skier
1 All time crew
___________________________________

1 Unreal month


Mike Hopkins BC backcountry.
Mike Hopkins BC backcountry.
Mike Hopkins BC backcountry.
Mike Hopkins in Revelstoke BC
photo
photo


An Honest Thought with Scott Secco: Part 2

‘’I never really think of myself as a sucker for punishment, but somehow Hopkins always manages to rope me into adventures that put me through the ringer. During the month we spent on this project, I managed to get giardia (we think), which put me out for a few days, and then strep throat! I wouldn’t recommend strep at the best of times, let alone on top of a mountain in the middle of nowhere. At the time it wasn’t very fun, but looking back, it’s the moments where things didn’t go according to plan that are often the most hilarious and memorable. ‘’Hey Hopkins, remember that time I had strep?’’ Can’t wait for the next shoot…’’


Rider Mike Hopkins Location Paradise Mines Invermere BC
Mike Hopkins BC backcountry.
photo
Mike Hopkins BC backcountry.
Mike Hopkins BC backcountry.
Mike Hopkins BC backcountry.


WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE

If you are willing to roll the dice, hike five or so hours to call a confidence inspiring, amply named place like Grizzly Bear Ridge home for the night, then you're bound to wake up in a world that's all sorts of wild. British Columbia, you make for one hell of a back yard!


Views: 1,199    Faves: 1    Comments: 0

Mike Hopkins BC backcountry.
Mike Hopkins BC backcountry.
Mike Hopkins BC backcountry.

Cinematography: Scott Secco

Bruno Long

Photo-genius 1: Bruno Long

Mike Hopkins BC backcountry.

Photo-genius 2: Paris Gore

Mike Hopkins BC backcountry.

Mountain Guide / Beauty: Marty Schaffer (CaPOW Guiding)

Mike Hopkins BC backcountry.

Journalist / Guitar Boss: Matt Cote

photo

Pro Skier / Mountain Man: Chris Rubens

Mike Hopkins BC backcountry.

Producer: Mike Hopkins (Juicy Studios)

_________________________________________________________


Brought to you by Diamondback Bikes

_________________________________________________________

Special Thanks:
Purcell Mountain Lodge
Byron Grey and Bicycle Works
Revolution Cycles
Tantrum Ride Company

Author Info:
diamondbackbikes avatar

Member since Mar 8, 2011
35 articles

56 Comments
  • 51 1
 I'm sorry but this is fake. It must be. There's no way one article can contain only contenders for POY and VOY like that's against some rule somewhere I'm sure of it
  • 24 0
 Pure art and craftsmanship gained through incredibly hard work. Such a beautiful piece of work.
  • 20 0
 Candian mountains are so freaking beautiful!
  • 18 0
 When I see "Mike Hopkins" I know that it will be GOOD. And it is VERY GOOD.
.
.
.
.
.

I'm so freaking jealous!
  • 10 0
 Saw it was a Hopkins film and favourited before I even watched it!! Hopkins do you know Matt Hunter because in my mind you are best friends and are just trying to outdo each other in awesome visual displays from all over the world tht are captured by the best photographers and shared for all to enjoy, thanks guys that was unreal!!
  • 1 0
 My buddy told me about this article earlier today and I thought he was talking about Matt Hunter.
  • 11 0
 This guy is living a dream !!!
  • 2 0
 I see what you did there... well played.
  • 5 0
 they didn't even count the mosquitos... that's bad journalism ! Awesome videos and picture nonetheless, can't wait to go back to BC !
  • 8 0
 I think the mosquitos were beyond un-countable ha.
  • 4 0
 Laughing at Mike Pre-coffee! I remember those times! Nice work boys! Gorgeous photos as always and the behind the scenes stuff is great!
  • 4 0
 Seriously need to somehow do a full length adventure movie, incorporating back stories and burritos.
Congrats on another EPIC.
#MAHAOLES
  • 4 0
 Damn it, guys, how am I supposed to get any work done when you put out this stuff and send me frantically googling interior BC destinations along with knee rehab shortcuts?
  • 4 2
 Good details on Joss and Cartier, but very few details on all the places you rode.
I've been trying to ride a lot of BC (I'm based in WA) and have been a bit frustrated because so many of the locations seem to mostly comprise "town trails". Very high quality super fun stuff, but true Alpine riding. I guess I need to be a little bit more pro-active then just surfing trailforks, but when you're a working family man with only 1 week a year to go on a mtb vacation, its hard to ferret out the Alpine gems. Would love to hear more specifically what access points and trails they were on.Revelstoke is awesome for Alpine riding but been there 3 times already.
  • 7 0
 That’s because most of the trails are unsanctioned, closed to biking, enter parks or are maintained by locals who don’t want them blown out from commercializations and they are respecting this.
  • 8 0
 And most of the alpine riding in BC is done by surfing google earth and finding a logging road that gets you somewhat close.
  • 2 0
 Some suggestions of sanctioned stuff: T4 in Golden/Kicking Horse, Whistler: Lord of the Squirrels, Rainbow Mtn, Barbour heli drop in Pemberton. South Chilcotins with Tyax Adventures is probably the best though.
  • 3 0
 @gramboh: T4 is actually unsanctioned.
  • 1 0
 @gramboh: Thanks - I've also done the Chilcotins twice. Definitely plan to check out LOS, when I make it to Whistler I only have a few days so I always end up in the park.. Pemberton has a few long trails going back into the woods. Golden is on the list.
  • 1 0
 Nimby/Middle Earth/Xtratron/Skelu'la7 in Pemberton is a great backcountry route. I've done it twice. You could also add in Chain Link although never done it and not sure what state it's in.

Hopeful and Brewer in Panorama are options to consider as well.

7 Summits in Rossland has Alpine elements to it although a fair bit is in the trees. It's still a great trail though with an option to get up to Old Glory.
  • 2 0
 Mt Barbour is sanctioned, but, not without controversy. There is some significant backlash to the heli biking that is taking root in that area.
  • 1 0
 @billybilly: Better than mini-malls or freeways!
  • 2 0
 I'm sorry to all the Nimby's (I'm lying), but Mountain biking belongs IN the mountains right along side Mountain climbing, Randonee / Touring skiing, rock climbing, white water rafting / Kayaking, hiking, equestrian and birdwatching. Really old gray hairs might see something to complain about. I see adventure, exploration and LOVE of the landscape. Those who adore and seek to protect the outdoors are really missing out on the passion of those who ride and love bicycles.
  • 5 0
 Awesome trailer...where can I watch the full movie? MORE PLEASE!!!!!
  • 1 0
 Incredible. this guy knows how to get after it, and i respect the dedication and effort required to get these shots. In a way the BC backcountry will protect itself from overuse because I know of very few people that have the legs & lungs to get up to these spots!
  • 1 0
 Went up to Joss for a night this summer and thought to myself that for sure someone has shot bikes up here...sure enough Scott's already checked it off. Cheesed I found this now, feeling way too inspired at the beginning of December.
  • 3 0
 Who knew there was such great riding in B. C. !?! Why isn’t anybody talking about this place?!? I would have thought you had to go someplace else.
  • 2 0
 Holy shizzle...pure beauty and inspiration. Such adventures and the resulting content really light the fire inside me. And for that I thank you dudes
  • 2 0
 I only glanced through the pics at work and that gave me a full on I wanna ride my bike chubby. And I want to take those pictures too.
  • 4 0
 Amazing piece !! What a "dream team" !
  • 2 0
 I may save up some money to do such a trip once in my life... This sounds so perfect!
  • 4 0
 this is beyond awesome!
  • 2 0
 These photos are making me emotional oh my god. You guys have outdone yourselves
  • 3 0
 beautiful!
  • 1 0
 the question is what size of wheels helps them do what they're doing!?


...just amazing!
  • 2 0
 Wheel size don't matter when you're having this much fun!
  • 3 0
 Golf clap - WOW
  • 2 0
 Amazing photography and cinema. Great stuff
  • 1 0
 Some of the best mountain bike photos I’ve seen...ever. Wow. So impressive. You actually feel some of those
  • 1 0
 Ya BC is OK I guess. Just don't come to the Okanagan It sucks here.
  • 7 0
 That's what I hear. Any recommendations on what places specifically to avoid, should we get lost and stray that way?
  • 2 0
 wow, amazing photos!
  • 1 0
 And not a cow in sight.... heaven....
  • 1 0
 Awesome, even more awesome behind the desk at work.
  • 1 0
 Perfect as ever!!!! great job, that's mountainbike!
  • 2 0
 Dream ride 3?...
  • 1 0
 @diamondbackbikes:
Cheers! May we have another?
  • 2 0
 @mountainbikerfisher: We may have something a little bigger in the works haha Wink
  • 2 0
 Can I come next time?
  • 2 0
 Now thats mtn biking!
  • 1 0
 epic...wow
  • 1 0
 Wow...
  • 1 0
 Simply amazing!







Copyright © 2000 - 2024. Pinkbike.com. All rights reserved.
dv42 0.055894
Mobile Version of Website