Summit Fever – The FIFTY – Mt. St. Elias – Climbing & Skiing a Mythical Mountain

Along this goal to ski all fifty of “The Fifty Classic Ski Descents of North America”, there lies a few cruxes. A few lines that stand out as the ultimate test for skiers. Lines that have seen one, maybe two, ski descents in history. One such mountain that is on that list is Mt. St. Elias in Alaska.

Mt. St. Elias is a mythical, foreboding peak that jumps straight out of the ocean, 18,008 feet into the sky. It’s renowned for violent storms that come straight off the northern pacific and slam into its icy steeps. It is unknown how many people have ever stood on the summit, but it is known that most people that try, fail.

In May of 2021, Cody Townsend, Dan Corn, Nick Russell and cinematographer Bjarne Salen set out to climb and ski this Alaskan beast. This is the tale of their adventure.

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This is The FIFTY by Cody Townsend. The FIFTY is a project following Cody Townsend as he attempts to climb and ski all fifty of the lines and mountains chronicled in the book, “The 50 Classic Ski Descents of North America.” The series documents Townsend’s journey’s, travels, challenges and each line and mountain listed in the book. It’s a journey through the most majestic mountains and ski lines in North America along with a unique insight into how skiers make decisions in the backcountry, how they plan, navigate and safely move through the mountains along with the people that dedicate their lives to the mountains.

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ROUTE Info:
For more detailed info on route and description, visit the OnX Backcountry link below to see a 3D rendering of the route and terrain as well as a 14 day Free Trial and 20% discount to OnX Backcountry App: https://www.onxmaps.com/backcountry/r/fiftyproject

WEATHER:
For a 60 day trial to an All-Access subscription to OpenSnow click here: https://bit.ly/3TTZhA5

GEAR Used in Episode:

Salomon QST Blank: https://alnk.to/5Q1Odi9
Salomon MTN Binding: https://alnk.to/dLdUm1C
Salomon Carbon S3 Poles: https://alnk.to/87VEXX0
Swatch BioCeramic: https://bit.ly/3gQhCzo
Mammut RAS Bag: https://alnk.to/7flS3ZU
Mammut Carbon Probe 280: https://alnk.to/cHJmtfT
Mammut Alugator Pro Light: https://alnk.to/8iQpWSn
Mammut Barryvox S: https://alnk.to/2uDpzVA
Smith Wildcat: https://alnk.to/d3ySqO7
Smith Squad Mag: https://alnk.to/hDmzW2F
Yeti Rambler 20oz: https://alnk.to/gzS237q
Pomoca Free Pro 2.0: https://alnk.to/aeUKJS9
Thule Duffle: https://alnk.to/9IatNqU
Thule Ski Bag: https://alnk.to/gKMN24C
LeBent Cody Pro Sock: https://alnk.to/cHJmtdU
LeBent Base Layer: https://alnk.to/58mMi9D
Hestra Falt Guide Glove: https://bit.ly/3WwYMhk
Hestra Overmitt: https://bit.ly/3NpoLTv
Hestra Merino Touchpoint Liners: https://bit.ly/3Wpyxcn
Arcade Capture Belt: https://bit.ly/3zzZ7WC
Honey Stinger Energy: https://bit.ly/3sPpX9g
Strainge Beast Kombucha: https://bit.ly/3sK6vLj
TinCup Whiskey: https://bit.ly/3FvbSpb