>> it's a very dangerous place. you have to respect the mountains around you. you are at the mercy of your earth. >> who you're going out there with plays a big role. you prepare yourself by wearing beacons, which your friends and family are able to track you out there in case something would happen. >> january 2006, heather and ben are joining their friend, ben sparling, to help shoot footage in a pristine area of the back country called jones pass. >> jones pass is kind of the vision of a skier, snowboarder has of big mountain skiing. >> it involved us just being riders and gist taking our turns and being filmed. i was all for it. >> the day gets off to a great start. >> it was beautiful. it was sunny. >> the day was great. it was great. unbelievable powder turns, fresh snow all day, sunshine, couldn't be any better. >> but when the time comes for