If you haven’t already caught wind of the 50 Project, do yourself a favor and check out Cody Townsend’s YouTube Channel. While the project in and of itself is visionary, the way Cody and Bjarne have shared their process, experience, and lessons learned from the project is to me a major gift to the greater backcountry skiing community. I was fortunate to join Cody and friends for a group shred on Mt. Shasta at the end of last season, but our time together in Alaska on Pontoon Peak was particularly memorable. After Jeff Dostie and I were able to be the first party to climb the Sphinx with our partner Wes-slay Stompson before a descent, our attention turned to the other two of the “Big 3” in Alaska’s Chugach. Jeff and I were lucky to join Cody, Bjarne, and our good buddy and all-star photographer Ming Poon for Pontoon. Although that mission didn’t end in full success, it did in the sense that we made the right decision that day. You can check out the episode from that day here, but the main attraction is what Cody was able to do with Jeremy Jones later that season. Check out the short film here as these two show what it takes to nail two of the most prized lines in Alaska in fine style. Inspiring to say the least!
A piece for Ascent Backcountry Snow Journal on why Alaska is “Still the One”
