I thought I was the first person to arrive at the media room on Tuesday morning because I had spent the night in the back seat of the car. But as I walked through the door, in search of the free coffee and crisps that media rooms provide, another figure was huddled around the rooms only heater.
This man was Keith from Scotland, the reason he had beaten me to it this morning because he had slept outdoors in the woods.

Every night he pitches his tent in bear country at the top of the track, and like a bear he comes down the mountain in the morning in search of food and water.

This is what he told me:

“For some people this is the mountain hike world cup.
Picture it no money, no transport, no accommodation, apart from a tent for two weeks. (I flew into Toronto then hitched to Montreal, then Quebec, then Mont Sainte Anne. I’ve been sleeping in a tent every night through heavy rain and thunder storms, living off free energy drinks and snacks in the media room, charging batteries where and when I can and stealing some poor sods wifi connection where needed. I spent my last pennies on camera equipment. I wash in the river and in public toilets.)

So spare a thought next time you admire or download a photo or video clip-it may have cost the creators more sweat, cash & sleep than you can possibly imagine.

Lorena Dromundo, the Mexican DH Champion, small girl-big bike.

Gracia the showman stopped mid A final to shotgun a beer, his buckled front wheel might have had something to do with it.

Check out some of Keith’s photos on his flickr site here.

Down and Out in Mont Sainte Anne