The Last Ice Merchant

For over 50 years Baltazar Ushca has harvested the glacial ice of Ecuador’s Mount Chimborazo. His brothers, both raised as ice merchants, have long since retired from the mountain. This is a story of cultural change and how three brothers have adapted to it.


The Last Ice Merchant (El Último Hielero) from Sandy Patch on Vimeo.

Hawk

According to the filmmakers - one day we found ourselves in Idaho City, a small old mining town 40 minutes outside of Boise, Idaho. We were looking for some inspiration, something to photograph. We saw a man driving through town in an old Willie's Jeep with the front windshield folded down. He was wearing a sweat stained hat and smoking a hand rolled cigarette. We waved as he drove by. He smiled and waved back.

As I watched him drive away Ronn said “That guy was cool! Let’s follow him!” We ran to the car and drove after him. After a small chase we found ourselves in front of an old barn at the end of a trailer park. We jumped out and struck up a conversation. He was friendly and genuine and that drew us into the old barn.

We had no idea that we would end up meeting Grant Hawk. It turned out that he and his son, are world renowned knife makers. After he gave us a tour of his shop, located inside the old barn, we asked if he would allow us back to tell their story. And we did. This is their story.


HAWK from Sidewayz Films on Vimeo.