Huayhuash

“¿Huayhuash?¿¡Huayhuash con bici’s!? No. No noooo… Es imposible.” In the winter of 2014, three friends set out on a self supported ride, looking for nothing more than a truly genuine experience. The goal: to circumnavigate one of the most wonderful and wicked mountain ranges in the world – the Huayhuash, by bicycle.

This was all a spur of the moment idea; part of the vicious cycle of making every adventure more thrilling than the last. January was the off-season, or rainy season, for the Andes so the wilderness would be completely desolate. The three friends hoped to be the second group to complete this trek on bikes. However, they underestimated the relentless weather they would encounter as they traveled for a week above treeline.

The friends tagged first descents down rocky couloirs and 16,000ft passes, watched sunrises against the tallest peaks in the country, and slept to the sounds of serac fall at night.

In the end, they didn’t quite make it as far as they had hoped. Between rain storms, concussions and waving guns the Huayhuash had ripped at their eager ambitions. A sense of wonder was fulfilled and the friendship of three adventure loving friends was reinforced. Huayhuash is the story of genuine adventure and the challenges that come along with it.

Director: Joey Schusler
Filming: Joey Schusler & Thomas Woodson
Written By: Thomas Woodson & Joey Schusler
Narration: Joey Schusler
Edit: Thomas Woodson & Joey Schusler
Design: Thomas Woodson & Human Design
Music: Thomas Kenny & Marmoset Music
Sound Design: Keith White Audio & Ryan Prater
Produced By: Joey Schusler
Executive Producers: Bike Magazine, 5Point Film, Human Design
With Support From: Yeti Cycles, Smith Optics, 5 Point Film, Bike Magazine
In Association With: Outdoor Research, Big Agnes, CamelBak, GoPro, The Feed, Revelate Designs, Big Tree Farms
Camera: Sony FS700, Canon 5DIII, Canon 7D, & GoPro Hero 3+
Run Time: 13 mins.
Date of Completion: April 2014
Language: English

Vimeo Staff Pick 2014
Best Adventure Award: 2014 Adventure Outdoor Fest
Best Emerging Filmmaker Award: 2014 Boulder Adventure Film Festival

Official Selection – 2014 5Point Film Festival
Official Selection – 2014 Dutch Mountain Film Festival
Official Selection – 2014 A4B Film Festival
Official Selection – 2014 Bicycle Film Festival New York
Official Selection – 2014 Lima Mountain Film Festival
Official Selection – 2014 Boulder Adventure Film Festival
Official Selection – 2014 Adventure Film Festival
Official Selection – 2014 Adventure Outdoor Festival
Official Selection – 2014 Chamonix Adventure Festival
Official Selection – 2014 Luxembourg Bicycle Art & Film Festival
Official Selection – 2014 Sydney Rides Film Festival
Official Selection – 2014 Adventure Awards Days
Official Selection – 2014 Rocky Spirit Film Festival
Official Selection – 2014 Moab Ho-Down Film Festival
Official Selection – 2015 Sheffield Adventure Film Festival
Official Selection – 2015 Fernie Mountain Film

See the corresponding multimedia feature with Bike Magazine here: http://huayhuash.bikemag.com