Nick Pontarolo, left, and longtime friend Casey Johnson, who works in Afghanistan, reunited for a unique skiing adventure. Photo provided by Pontarolo.

Reporter Jody Lawrence Turner interviewed Nick Pontarolo, a 33-year-old Cheney resident, who spent about $3,000 on travel, visa and accommodations to snow ski in Afghanistan. Pontarolo described his Afghanistan trip as the ultimate buddy adventure, probably the best time in his whole life.

 Pontarolo said that after trekking up to about 15,000-feet elevation on one of the mountains, he really wanted to "crack a beer" to celebrate, but couldn't since alcohol is illegal. You can read Pontarolo's own account of his trip on his blog

 For Lawrence-Turner's full story, you'll find it here, along with a photo of Pontarolo by Spokesman-Review photographer Colin Mulvany.

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