All good things must come to an end. This is true just about anywhere, and it goes for one of the most iconic projects skiing has seen: The FIFTY. The insane crusade led by Cody Townsend to ski every line from the book aptly titled Fifty Classic Ski Descents of North America. It’s been an endeavor that has gone on for over five years. Five years of exhaustion, triumph, defeat, friendship and, perhaps most of all, learning. In this farewell video, we’re treated to a flashback and explanation for why the Bloody Couloir was saved for later on this list. It turns out that alongside a group of friends and one dog, Townsend first checked off this line over 20 years ago, making it his first ever big mountain expedition of the sort.
Heavy gear, triggering wet slides, frosted tips (I think?); it was wild to see one of the most familiar and knowledgable faces in big mountain and ski mountaineering in such a humble setting. However, it illustrated one of the main points that he has illustrated throughout the project—we’re here to learn. The FIFTY ultimately seeks to inspire each and every one of us to grow, to step into something scary and to put our mind and body to the test. Prepare the best you can, and that means meeting people, taking sage advice, dusting your ego to the side and using the tools you have to get the job done. It’s been incredible to follow the journey so far, and it’s certainly not the last time we’ll see Townsend and crew getting up to some unbelievable sh*t. But don’t take it from us. Dial into the 46th line of The FIFTY to hear words from the team, aspirations for the future, and some textbook couloir skiing.
From YouTube –
Having skied this line over 20 years ago, the Bloody Couloir in the Eastern Sierra Mountains of California, is a full circle journey for The FIFTY. Joined by an all-star crew of friends and pros, this is the final line of The FIFTY –so far. While there are still four lines to attempt, the end of the FIFTY YouTube series is marked by the return to a classic couloir in classic FIFTY style, with a load of friends and a little extra bit of walking.
Co-Starring: Elyse Saugstad, Josh Daiek, JT Holmes, Greg Lindsey, Michelle Parker, Ming Poon, Forrest Shearer, Brian Walker, Grayson Schaffer and Drew Pedersen.
