@viv_smith

In the remote Altai mountains that sprawl across the junction of China, Mongolia, Russia and Kazakhstan, is an ancient tribe that lays claim to the origin of skiing. The Tuvans greeted us in thick cow hide coats, and stared curiously at our bright, light weight Gortex. There wasn’t a common word between us, yet they instantly recognised our gear; Long planks, strapped to your toes - with the heel freed for walking, and a hairy skin stuck to the bottom. We rode in horse drawn sleighs to an old ski makers house. We spoke through two translators, from English, via Mandarin to Tuvan, playing a literal game of Chinese whispers. Little was understood. But the old man knew how to connect with us. Taking our hands, he placed them on his plane tool and together we carved the wood ski he was working on. Tuvans only ski to hunt, so they simply couldn’t wrap their heads around the idea of climbing a mountain only to come back down again, yet they were delighted to share their horses and watch us explore the surrounding mountains. This photo captures the moment we returned home for the day - riding into Hemu village.