Quarantine almost killed us. Well, it almost killed Analog Companion, but with the death of publications like SNOWboarder Magazine and Surfer Magazine we couldn't allow COVID to take us down the same way the American Media Inc., did to two longstanding totems of our culture and creativity. Fortunately, we haven 't sold out - yet - to someone who thinks breaking even is a negative. We figure, if it only ends up costing us a few hundred bucks to get physical print in people's hands and bathroom reading piles, then we've done alright. Plus, the United States Tax System allows business to operate at a loss for a few years before they tell you get a new hobby.
Volume 5: Issue 1 is here. It's eight months overdue, and ready for its new debut. AC has gone up in size to 6"x9", with a saddle stitch/squareback format, and 56 pages of content from Boston and beyond. We've added a handful of new writers and creators to help with layout, editing, and publishing.
Dedicated contributor and Vermonter Tomas Ruprecht offers a few thoughts on slowing the process of riding and filming down to welcome readers back. André Rober Beriau shares his experience taking an AIARE 1 Avalanche Course to shine a light on understanding Avalanche Safety while Mary Rand shares her thoughts on the importance of being prepared in avy terrain. Out in Worcester, MA, Kevin Susienka is back for a piece on snowboard visionary, film maker, and dreamer of dreams Ben Fee. From Santa Cruz, CA we welcome Allison Krausbe with her piece on the Rhode Island surf-film project known as CVRRENT.
***Excerpt from The Night Drifter by Arthurt Bradley***
I take in the subtleties of the forest, though I also have no idea where I should access the Sherburne Ski Trail. All I know is that there are a few turnouts on the way up to the top. I’m in no rush to go up, nor am I in one to descend. I estimate about thirty minutes of hiking should get me to a zone that’ll offer a decent ride back down. Admittedly, I’ve never even walked down the Sherbie let alone ridden it. Commonsense would opine that one should check the weather, wait for clear skies and a fresh coating of powder to ride any new terrain for the first time. Albeit, sometimes commonsense and opportunity can be contentious rivals. The pitch of the trail increases a turn or two after crossing the bridge above Crystal Cascades. It’s difficult to differentiate how steep the trail is with the limited visibility. I pause to catch my breath. My head tilts back, and my tongue extends to catch the flakes. They hit my tongue like hot sparks.