HANS SAARI FUND ANNOUNCES 2011 SKI EXPLORATION GRANTS

This just in:

Press Release: The Hans Saari Memorial Fund, a grant-giving organization established to honor the life and values of ski-mountaineer Hans Saari, announces the winners of its 2011 exploration grants.

This is the fourth year the Fund has awarded grants to skiers looking to pursue their dreams in the mountains. Over that time the fund has awarded over $60,000 to 18 expeditions visiting mountains from Alaska to Krygystan to the Arctic. This year’s recipients were part of a record number of applicants requesting over $125,000 in funds for their trips. We are excited to present the following recipients of 2011 Hans Saari Memorial Fund Ski Exploration Grants, the only grant program devoted exclusively to ski mountaineers:

Timothy Barker of Wrangell, Alaska plans to ski-traverse the massive expanse of unexplored ice from the base of Alaska’s North Baird Glacier to the Stikine River delta, an 85 mile traverse in southeast Alaska through classic alpine terrain that has received little attention from
skiers.

Paige Brady of Anchorage, Alaska will attempt the first complete descent of Alaska’s Mount Russell. Given the conditions in the Alaska Range and the chosen line of descent, this project will require a strong team prepared for difficult travel and challenging skiing.

Drew Lovell, of Leavenworth, Washington will traverse and ski the remote Central Lahal Massif of Northern India. Drew and his team expect descents from numerous 5,000-6,000 meter peaks in unexplored terrain guarded by difficult approaches with major crossing obstacles.

Ryan Minton, of Bozeman, Montana was awarded a grant to shoot a documentary film about the ski-mountaineering culture of Mongolia. The film will be based on the team’s work with the Central Mongolia Altai Mountain Club and its subsequent traverse of the remote Five Saints peaks along Mongolia’s borders with Russia and China.

For information on the Fund and our Ski Exploration Grant, go to www,hansfund.org