Mountains can have a certain energy to them and mountain called Split, located in the High Sierra Mountain Range in eastern California, has an energy with a dark side. Split Mountain is a 14,000 foot peak with a perfect couloir dividing two prominent summits. Visually, it’s a line that begs to be skied yet is guarded by a series of icefalls, rock steps and blue ice patches that make it extremely challenging. On top of that, the towering walls of the couloir present significant rockfall hazard along with an upper basin that can create dangerous avalanche conditions. It’s a line that requires patience, perfect timing…and many many attempts. Over the last 4 years, Cody Townsend, Nick Russell and cinematographer Bjarne Salén have been waiting, trying, scoping and learning about the history of this line, its moods, its conditions and its energy to successfully, and safely, ski it.
Film Length 50:42
Co-Starring: Bjarne Salen, Nick Russell, Ming Poon & Glen Plake
Edited by: Scott Gaffney
Cinematography by: Bjarne Salen & Ming Poon
Intro VFX by: Blair Richmond
Maps by OnX: James Lee & Katie Scott
Sound Mix by: Carlos Hernández: ch-sound.com
Music from: Artlist.io License 4023308
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ROUTE Info:
Want to use the maps used to guide The FIFTY, here is 14 day Free Trial and 20% discount to OnX Backcountry App: https://www.onxmaps.com/backcountry/r/fiftyproject
WEATHER:
Track incoming storms and compare 10-day snow forecasts for your favorite mountains with a free 30-day trial to OpenSnow: https://opsw.co/thefifty30
GEAR Used in Episode:
Salomon QST Echo 106
Salomon MTN Binding
Salomon Carbon S3 Poles
Yeti Rambler 20oz
Swatch BioCeramic
Hyperlite Porter Headwall 55
Smith Summit Helmet
Smith Wildcat
Smith Pursuit Glacier Glasses
Smith Squad Mag
LeBent Cody Pro Sock
LeBent Base Layer
Arcade Capture Belt
Pomoca Free Pro 2.0
Thule Duffle
Thule Ski Bag
Hestra Falt Guide Glove
Hestra Overmitt
Hestra Merino Touchpoint Liners
Honey Stinger Energy
TinCup Whiskey
Discover the terrain and 70% off OnX Backcountry: https://bit.ly/4fY7fma
Use the OpenSnow App that keeps us current on the conditions: https://bit.ly/3TTZhA5
SALOMON Skis MTN 96, Echo 106 Skis and QST X: Depending on the length of the day, the tech of the line or the snow conditions alone, Salomon makes a ski for every kind of situation I can put myself into.https://bit.ly/SalomonSkis
SALOMON MTN Summit Boot: An incredible mix of lightweight walkability and downhill ski performance. As a 200lb ex-ski racer, I’ve been amazed how well this 1200g boot can ski. From Emerald Bay Chutes to Alaskan Expeditions, these are my go to’s. https://bit.ly/MTNSummitBootsAG50Plus
SALOMON MTN Pure Binding: Maybe the most reliable and durable tech binding of the last 20 years. Simple, strong and effective. There is a reason this binding hasn’t changed it 7+ years, it’s hard to make it better. https://bit.ly/MTNPureBindingsAG50Plus
SMITH Pursuit Glasses: If it's stormy or sunny, you’re biking or hiking, ski touring and downhill shredding, the Pursuits were made for it. The all-around, go anywhere, do anything glasses. This glasses have coverage matching that of googles, breathability, moldable comfort and light changing optics. https://bit.ly/SMITHPursuitGlassesAG50Plus
And my GO-To Goggles- https://bit.ly/4DMagAG50Plus
SMITH Summit Helmet: I designed this helmet with SMITH to go light and go far. Meeting the needs of any level of technical (or not) backcountry adventure, this triple certified design meets global alpine ski certification plus international mountaineering standards. https://bit.ly/SummitHelmetAG50Plus
HESTRA Ergo Grip Active Gloves: https://bit.ly/ErgoGripGlovesAG50Plus
POMOCA Skins Free Pro2.0: https://bit.ly/FreeProSkinsAG50Plus
YETI: Keeping my coffee hot on the approach https://bit.ly/YETIRamblerAG50Plus and my coldies cold https://bit.ly/RoadieCoolerAG50Plus for the return to the rig.
LE BENT Base layers & Cody Townsend Pro Series Sock: I designed these socks with the team at Le Bent to be the ultimate backcountry go to. https://bit.ly/lebentctsock
ZipFit GFT Liner: The added weight is worth the extra performance. https://bit.ly/ZipFitAlpenglow
Sidas CRT Liner: My go to for big days on the East Side or Expeditions. https://bit.ly/ThermoLinersAG50Plus
Hyperlite Mountain Gear- Making a collection of packs (and durable lightweight Stuff Sacks (https://bit.ly/StuffSackAG50Plus )that cross everything from a super light 27oz day pack in the Aspect 32 to a four season do everything pack in the Headwall 55. I’m personally partial to the Crux 40 specifically designed for ski mountaineering, alpine missions and steep skiing. https://bit.ly/40tVv6l
Petzl Gully: The best all around axe there is. https://bit.ly/GullyAxeAG50Plus And for my crampons…https://bit.ly/IrvisCramponsAG50Plus
See more of the gear I use here: https://bit.ly/AlpenglowSports