BISSELL HAZEN
First and foremost, Bissell Hazen is a man who enjoys skiing. Call it mountaineering, freeriding, hucking, or whatever you like, he loves the feeling of pushing his limits, having fun and being out in the backcountry with friends.
"I have had some ski mountaineering experiences in the Tetons that have been very special," Bissell says. "I think about them every day and am grateful that I am able to do these things such as climbing and descending steep couloirs in the backcountry."
Bissell, 31, grew up in South Hadley, Massachusetts, where he learned to ski in the nearby town of Holyoke at Mount Tom when he was 3 years old. His parents raised him on ski racing and enjoying the outdoors, and he says he owes them a debt of gratitude.
"I used to ski every day after school. I think I had a first descent of one of the picnic tables out front."
Some of his thoughts on the upcoming trip to Peru:
"I love to travel. I haven't ever been to Peru, or even South America for that matter. I feel really fortunate to be even considered for this trip, but I am also confident in my abilities as a mountaineer. It should be a really great experience, to say the least. I want to thank the sponsors for making this trip happen and including me in it. Peru sounds like a unique place with a unique people, and to top it off, I've heard that there is really quality surf there."
Bissell attended St. Lawrence University in upstate New York. He graduated, moved to Kauai, Hawaii, then to Telluride, Colorado, then back to Hawaii to the island of Maui and finally settled in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. "I really like it here," he adds, "The people, the mountains, my friends; it's a beautiful place. Plus, the skiing at the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort isn't all that bad either."
Bissell is skiing on Rossignol Bandit XXX skis with Silveretta 404 releasable alpine touring bindings, Scarpa Denali boots and Scott poles.
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