In February, Tim embarked on a backcountry ski expedition into the Tien Shan mountains of Kyrgyzstan. Along with a crew of five other skiers and snowboarders, he spent a week in a high-altitude yurt camp, ascending and descending 12,000-foot peaks and learning about Kyrgyz culture. When three Russian draft dodgers skied into camp one afternoon, the crew got a close-up perspective on how the mountains can provide a unifying force for good in a divided world.

Relevant links:

• On a ski trip to Kyrgyzstan, epic lines combine with cultural immersion
• 40 Tribes Backcountry
• Tim's Instagram
• Eben's Instagram