Since the age of ten Chris Patterson had, with the support of his elder brother David, been interested in photography. He was a fan of Warren Miller films and a keen skier. Whilst studying film making in Boulder he shot, as one of his course projects, a film on skiing. He subsequently suggested to several manufacturers that he could make more films - this time at Whistler - to include shots of their kit being used. In exchange he requested free kit. They liked his work and asked for more. He mailed a copy of one of his films to Warren Miller outlining his experience and equipment and asked for at least a critique of his work. In two days he was invited to help out with a ski film and was soon offered a job working full time with Warren Miller. He has now been working for Warren Miller for 10 years.

The Warren Miller - EWP connection started with a ski film being made by Chris on Elbrus. The film crew comprised David Patterson (still photography), Kent Harvey (sound and assistant photographer) and Chris Patterson (producer and photographer). The skiers were Kina Pickett (a freeskier who took up skiing at the age of two) and ace racing skier Rex Wehrman along with snowboarder Danny Caruso who also helped out with making video "footage". The group entered and left Russia via St Petersburg carrying 400kg of equipment.

The first part of the film was located in the Jantugan Glacier cirque. The walk in to the "Green Hotel" bivouac and skiing on the lower slopes of Jantugan provided viewers of with an idea of the beauty of the Caucasian Chain. The Warren Miller studios demonstrated an excessive editorial licence by linking an avalanche control gun with Soviet Oppression in the area and refering to the Chechen war as raging just 40 miles away.

The scene then moved to Elbrus where the team skied down from the summit in perfect weather with superb steep powder snow on the first 1000ft from the summit to the saddle. As the descent was carried out in August, after a rather dry and warm summer, such good skiing was not expected.

The Mt Kenya project was conceived on this trip and April was chosen as the "best" month to attempt the descent of the Lewis Glacier. This is the so called Long Rain season when heavy rain in the afternoon or at night is often encountered making for good snow conditions on the glaciers. This would compensated for the tough walking and difficult driving conditions. Another bonus however could be the extremely clear air and good visibility on a few days and mornings.

As it turned out the team arrived after a week of heavy rains and during their stay on the mountain they only experienced a few nights of rain in the first few days and by the time they reached Hall Tarns and Top Hut the weather was perfect.

Danny Caruso acted as Chris' right hand man on Mount Kenya where his main role was to assist with filming. The two skiers were this time were well-travelled Kristen Lignell, an off-season nurse and champion back country skier together with "mogul queen" Justine van Houten.