FIFTY+ A Ski Mountaineer’s Dream Line - Pioneer Peak, AK - Ep. 2

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The hunt for Classics continues. After 6 years of following, climbing and skiing 46 of the lines and mountains in the book “The Fifty Classic Ski Descents of North America”, it’s time to pursue a personally inspired and modern list of classics.
Pioneer Peak is widely known in Alaska. Little known outside of it. As you drive north from Anchorage into the glacial flood plane known as the Matanuska Valley, there is one mountain that stands taller, looks bigger and feels more omnipresent than the thousands of other peaks on the skyline. To the Dena’ina people, it is known as Dnal’iy, or “The One That Watches Us.” It’s colonial name, Pioneer was given in 1939 after the european immigrants who created an agricultural colony on the banks of the Knik River under the slopes of the watching mountain.
It’s North facing slope is a continuous 6,500 foot face with no breaks and no flat areas. What was once a test piece of endurance and skill for Alaskan mountaineers, has now become a playground for local ski mountaineers.
Joined by Mali Noyes, Logan Logan, and cinematographer Dmitry Surnin, the trio sets out on a picturesque spring day to test their endurance, skills and skiing to determine if the North face of Pioneer Peak, is a classic or not.
Credits:
Produced by: Summit Lunch Productions LLC & B.Colective
Edited by: Lou Currie - Donderlab (however you want to put that)
Cinematography: Dmitry Surnin & Cody Townsend
Graphics & Art: Gary Martin - GPM Design
FIFTY+ Intro Animation: Blair Richmond - Khyber Creative
FIFTY+ Intro Music: Paddy Fletcher
Special Thanks:
Elyse Saugstad
Mark and Kathy Saugstad
Julie Kingsley

[@karenk9404]

It means so much to me as an adventure female that you consistently take females with you. Seeing small females doing big adventures is so inspiring. For women to be at the table we need allys - thank you for being one.

[@skibrat]

I 100% agree with you! It is so refreshing to see males and females getting after it. So many never have females in their videos and I feel like I'm sneaking into a guys film.

[@karenk9404]

@@skibratTotally and she made it look easy 🤙🏻

[@actualstarfish3449]

Being "at the table" is about capability more than anything else in backcountry. But assuming Cody's picks are capable, it is refreshing to see a revolving door of characters regardless of identity - some familiar, some new.

[@karenk9404]

@ I don’t think my personal feelings needed clarified/mansplained. I said what I said.

[@ryanlocati5695]

I like how your names are karen and ski brat. I bet the only adventure would be trying to date you

[@elusiveserenity]

love the new graphical review of the hazards on the face! Really helps us newbies understand what the issues are for you

[@NattyBurroughs]

Super dope.

[@mitchellsteiner414]

I love your inclusion of your decision making conversations. Helps beginners understand what questions they should be asking.

[@HolisticFrenchFry]

As a parent of backcountry-curious kids in Reno, your series is the only ski vids we watch because of how prominently you feature and discuss risk and reward. In particular, episodes where you decide to turn back and give it a go when conditions are more favorable another time are beloved in our family. You’re the skiing role model we want them to have.

[@tbic_yup]

Accessibility is a huge factor between classic and epic. Thank you for highlighting that.

[@marksevy]

Sleep in a hotel room, super casual 8:30am start and back sipping whiskey before dark. Not sure if it's a classic but sure looks to be #winning ! 🤟

[@bradlyscotunes9156]

Just don't do whiskey nite beFORE climb; won't help sleep, nor next day..

[@redalaska]

Pioneer is the ultimate classic roadside AK line! I can’t wait to ski that line again.

[@CodyTownsend]

Yeah, it’s an iconic one.

[@redalaska]

@ last time I skied it there was no rappelling required. Huge snow year will fill in the ice climbs! Makes the top less spooky too.

[@Ryan_hey]

20:00 yea, no kidding on roadside. doesn't get any closer than that!

[@onXBackcountry]

Big, steep, type 2 fun with epic turns = Certified Classic ✅

[@kevinpusey4902]

I first laid eyes on that line in 1992 when I arrived to Palmer/Wasilla to work for NOLS. Nice job, Cody and team!

[@CodyTownsend]

Thanks Kev

[@matthew-oj6zj]

This fifty+ series is just the gift that keeps on giving. Living just outside of Palmer I look at that peak every time I go to town. It is really cool to see you all take that on and not something I have ever considered skiing. It will have a whole new significance each time I look at it now. Thanks for these really cool and unique videos!!!

[@rickstanionis3295]

Another fairly gripping episode! Thanks for including snowboarding, though I’d probably tune in anyways, the adventure is so compelling!

[@bryanlambert9896]

Good thinking on pre-drilling the v-thread! Gonna have to remember this one for sure!

[@CodyTownsend]

Just don’t leave it in the sun and it should be all good for return.

[@localgemskier9410]

Cody you have my favorite videos on youtube not just because they are ski videos but you also funny, joyful and extreme. Such a treat watching your videos everytime❤

[@MtnStrawn]

My hometown! Pioneer is the mountain that everyone in town knows, even if they don't know mountains. It's just so prominent! Definitely a classic!

[@chimerasnowboards]

Love it! way to kick ass and hold it down for the splitboard & Chimera fam Logan!

[@willd2156]

Ah it makes sense now!! You're going to release your own book!!

[@soarrotmg1364]

As a life long Alaskan, I have drove by and seen this mountain so many times. It’s definitely on my bucket list! Rad video, keep it up!

[@CodyTownsend]

It’s a classic.

[@fiedlertimify]

Super stoked! Pretty sure you ran into my brother on this trip last spring. His group was headed up while you were heading down. Super stoked to watch!

[@CodyTownsend]

Oh nice. Yeah they were all super nice. Was a great day in the mountains.

[@fiedlertimify]

He’s going to watch with his sons tomorrow am:). Keep up the project!

[@MikefromAK]

I can see this mountain from my kitchen window. So stoked to see it on this series!

[@CodyTownsend]

That’s the best view!

[@skibrat]

I would love to see actual footage of your transitions on super steep pitches. The thought of taking off skis to down climb and then putting them on again freaks me out!

[@CodyTownsend]

I did a how to transition video on my Instagram Reels.

[@NattyBurroughs]

I'm really digging these new Alaska lines. It was nice/relieving/relatable to hear Elyse in the last video mention how hard the Alaska 50 Classic lines are, and that there are indeed some much more normal lines. I've snowboarded a decent number of the Pacific Northwest 50 Classics, but the Alaska ones just looked so impossible and therefore uninspiring. (Still epic watches though!) Now I know that perhaps there are some lines for mortals. Still, this one looks at best, borderline haha.

[@tarfeef101]

Noticed partway through some people still rocking the stock crampon strap on their crampons. cannot recommend the petzl elastic strap enough. it's actually the right length, and way less fiddly. as long as you don't have weird skimo race boots without a toe bail, they are awesome, a meaningful reduction in transition time (and most notably, gloves-off time)

[@trippissocool]

It's so wild seeing how well you're mountaineering skills have developed since you started; onward and upward and safely downward, too.

[@CodyTownsend]

It’s been a wild ride for sure.

[@ryanwatters5684]

You have to make your way back to Colorado and ski in the Sangre de Cristo range. Some big lines up there in mountains with a ton of prominence that see so few descents. Also you can get a free base grind if you go ski the Great Sand Dunes.

[@CodyTownsend]

I’m definitely putting those on the list

[@bradlyscotunes9156]

Hav 'herd'/seen the base-grind trick; good 1!

[@muddyhumber]

That was an uncomfortable watch! Such skills and guts. Mali rocks.

[@JamesWilliams-en3os]

Definitely vote”yes” on the classic line question. Also both mustaches are right up there as well.

[@BruceGreer-w2t]

I climbed that route in September of 2001, the final thousand feet is a black ice gully when not snow covered. It's astounding that it has become a skier's route.

[@CodyTownsend]

That's awesome Bruce. I bet it was a hell of an alpine climb. It's really rad how far skiing has come that this is now a regular ski lap. Such a beautiful mountain.

[@mitchbaker7110]

Officially nominating the north face of Mt. Green in Roger's Pass as a Fifty+

[@jonrobjames]

Great work as always. I really like seeing the tech you are using in the planning and evaluation process. Amazing story telling and filming!

[@CodyTownsend]

Appreciate the feedback. Was really fun to put this one together.

[@endercrafters1501]

I love that you are doing more runs in Alaska that are doable for mortals. Have you considered doing some runs in the deltas. The snow quality is no where near the chugach but there are still some iconic runs. I’d say doing the road side face of rainbow ridge is a Fairbanks classic. It isn’t in condition much but it looks soo cool to ski down

[@NattyBurroughs]

Agreed. The degree of difficulty of the Alaska lines of the 50 Classics is the lamest part of the 50. I've snowboarded a decent number of the Pacific Northwest 50 classic lines, but the Alaska lines are just like... Wtf, zero relatability.

[@JGCook5]

🔥🔥 soundtrack on the descent! One of your best videos. Also A+ job working in the safety thinking, especially as the snowpack is building for the new season.

[@brianstoody4565]

Cody its a classic , view in palmer and on the AK drivers license background pic for a decade.

[@john_golt8448]

It’s definitely looks like a classic. Thanks for video.

[@pschauerak]

The top billy goat struggle is real! Fun to see how you guys dealt with it.

[@sda4ever]

Awesome video. Get better soon!

[@tjb8841]

Mali for the sun glasses pizzaz win! (But I’ll stick stick with my ‘boring’ Smith Pursuits)

[@brianharder7714]

It's the longest run in South Central, for sure. You need all the tricks to get up and down. You seemed to do a variation that avoided a rappel on the skier's left of the main line in the middle. The year I did it I had baby heads for the first 2,000' and wind board for the top 1,500'. You guys did much better.

[@CodyTownsend]

Oh man! That sounds like quite the conditions. I probably would’ve turned around. Ha. But yeah such a great line

[@brianharder7714]

@@CodyTownsend The funny part (funny not funny) is that a friend of mine soloed it the day before and told me to go for it. I failed to remember that he solos WI5. Where you guys traversed right in the cliff band, he simply went up the vertical ribbon of ice straight up the gully. I followed his tracks and nearly shit myself swinging tools, banging my skis on my back before pulling over the difficulty. It was a short section but the 4,000' of air below me and the 50* slope below the vertical step made it feel quite real.

[@albe2002]

You are crazy! Well done!

[@CodyTownsend]

Thanks!

[@larsw.larsen4173]

Thanks for sharing😊

[@bigwildcarp]

The drivers license line!

[@bradlyscotunes9156]

Lov the footage; up-climb music early on a bit annoying, have to turn it down, then up, to hear narrative.. Got better, then iffy again. Crazy skiing! Actual elevation @ peak?

[@PalNok-nm6fv]

Awesome series ❤️

[@fireinthestone]

I love your show. Would love to know what other KZbin channels you watch for more lifestyle content.

[@CodyTownsend]

Thanks. Don’t watch much lifestyle content on YT, but enjoying Jim and Mads show, of course Nikolai Schirmer and the Gear Skeptic

[@CodyTownsend]

I’ll add Mali just launched her own channel.

[@brucedenis71]

Hi Cody, love your videos and I really look forward to them. Just some advice: "I'm not going to say it because I'm going to butcher it" may come from a place of respect, but it is received by Indigenous people as "Your language is not important enough for me to learn or speak'. Trying to say a word and butchering it is always better than not saying it at all. Learning how to say it correctly from a fluent speaker is always the best option. Look around, I am sure you'll find an elder will to sit down and teach you.

[@CodyTownsend]

Hey Bruce, thanks for that note. I definitely didn’t want to say it for fear of disrespecting the name and mountain, not because I didn’t feel like it was worth it to learn. But I see how it can be interpreted as you said. Appreciate it.

[@Rory_Perkins]

Good to see jut being used by Cody 1:00

[@CodyTownsend]

Reddit term I’ve learned

[@jackh_outside]

Check out grey wolf peaks west couloir in Montana, it’s a true classic

[@benlazar6017]

Hey Cody, I’ve been a huge fan of the Fifty since it started! I was curious if you’ve looked into any backcountry skiing in the Bighorn mountains in Northern Wyoming? I’d love to see you take on the objective of Cloud Peak and the South couloir.

[@CodyTownsend]

It’s been on my radar for sure.

[@benlazar6017]

@ stoked to hear that! It seems like the Bighorns are a range that gets overlooked. I’m excited to see your upcoming objectives.

[@jazzman_10]

I wished you had filmed how you managed to get that rope through the ice to rappel from it, there aren´t that many videos in the internet that explain those tricks I would really love to know... Love your videos! Hasta la vista! 🎿🥽

[@CodyTownsend]

It’s called a V-Thread and there are actually tons of videos out there on how to rig them. Give it a search.

[@Stormsurf001]

Insame! Great work!

[@jacobclark8883]

I’m stoked! 🍻

[@JiriChmelik-xi2rh]

I'm stont kat

[@jacobclark8883]

@@JiriChmelik-xi2rhI’m stoked for you!

Who’s getting Warren Millers vibes? I am and it’s DOPE AF!

[@bradlyscotunes9156]

Grew up on Warren Miller from 1960-on..

[@ThomasMansberger]

so great tomsee the sceptre

[@JDog-lz2wh]

Thanks great video

[@peterdevereaux6512]

The snow floats on the climb. Auftriib? The cramplifier version or the saucer version?

[@CodyTownsend]

Cramplifier

[@johnklaus9111]

I'm sure the doctor mentioned that prolonged exposure to low pressure atmosphere and very dry air can cause a syndrome which mirrors viral and bacterial bronchitis, but is just inflamation from particulates. If he didn't, you need to find yourself another doctor and come down out of the steeps for at least a month or two. If you doubt, call the folks at the himalaya climbing schools. They'll tell ya all about how someone just sorta passes away from it suddenly gasping for air. Careful friend. 😊

[@CodyTownsend]

I'll take that into consideration, thanks.

[@pawansingh5463]

❤Zabardast 😊

[@renuvatos1325]

Do miss Bjorne on your 50 plus

[@davidspagnolo4870]

0:55 etymologically related to Denali?

[@KootsD]

rad mission.

[@bric4989]

Watched every episode. Love your stuff. What smiths you wearing at 2:32?

[@CodyTownsend]

The Smith Pursuit glasses, which I had a heavy hand in designing

[@Ca_milo_G]

Buenos Días C.

[@stevehori673]

The first part was sketch, does it count if you don't go from the very top? Those are nightmare scenarios for me, I'm good watching from the bottom... stay safe Cody, love your channel!

[@CodyTownsend]

Yes. Skiing Mountaineering is vastly different than Mountaineering, where the goal is the summit and nothing else. In Ski Mountaineering, skiing from the top of the skiable line is the only real check mark. Thanks man.

[@zacktatum3702]

Holy MFS that was fun to watch

[@dee2ski]

I mean, it's right there...

[@Open-Snow]

"Definitely not mellow" 👀

[@Robverto]

Classy

[@petermarsch6533]

Yeah 🎉

[@drifterdogs]

Yooooooo that intro graphic is freaking sweet!!!!!

[@billmaney2787]

No music credit?

[@powdork]

Was that the other group at 18:04?

[@1519Spring]

I think that was their photographer.

[@powdork]

@@1519Spring Maybe drone pilot? He seemed to be looking down at something

[@user1756]

That's some nice jut

[@JiriChmelik-db5el]

Super Nice🎉🎉🎉😊

[@CodyTownsend]

Thanks 🤗

[@tynelson9003]

sick

[@gxsrolling]

As a mountaineer I have to ask: with the summit so close why not go to the top.

[@CodyTownsend]

We were planning on going to summit, which you can’t ski from, but with the people behind us and unable to communicate with them, we decided to forgo and get thru the line before it potentially turned into a mess if they were ascending in a bad spot while we were descending.

[@gxsrolling]

@@CodyTownsend Thanks for the reply. Great watching your progress from skier to mountaineer.

[@tubetauk]

Wake up babe, another episode of the fifty+ just dropped

[@donnychetwood]

Where’s Bjarne?

[@RPKnndy]

Holy shit hes skiing powder now

[@CodyTownsend]

Best part of the new series, more good snow.

[@TimberTramp]

F to C = subtract 25 then halve that number.

[@billmaney2787]

That's pretty bad at cold temps. You'd be a lot closer subtracting 32.

[@charlessawyer836]

Rad

[@joelbarker421]

that mountain is nearly in my back yard. sadly, my knee won't let me make a climb like that anymore. I'll still be skiing all season though!

[@rlb3616]

I miss Bjarn

[@powdork]

How does OnX come up with a route length of 11.5 miles when it is 1.7 miles on google maps. Even adding in the 18 switchbacks the most I could get it up to was 3.8 miles. I assume the way back down was closer to two miles.

[@CodyTownsend]

OnX uses a different algorithm that takes into account elevation gain and terrain. Plus tracking is often imprecise when on steep north facing terrain very far to the north.

[@onXBackcountry]

Hey @powdork - Thanks for pointing this out - The 11.5 miles we used for the map animation in the Fifty+ came directly from Cody’s recorded track. However, after reviewing the track more closely, I noticed significant noise in the GPS signal, which added a lot of extra mileage. After cleaning up the line, it looks more like this line was 5.1 miles from car to car. Unfortunately this often happens when climbing a couloir without a clear line of sight to satellites. In Alaska, GPS signals can also be less accurate for another reason: the GPS satellites are closer to the horizon compared to lower latitudes, which degrades the signal between the GPS receiver (like his phone or watch) and the satellite. This means there are likely fewer satellites with strong signal strength in Alaska compared to the lower 48 states, increasing the potential for GPS inaccuracies. Thanks again for pointing this out - let me know if you have any other questions. Check out our youtube channel for a video of Cody breaking down this line.

[@bradlyscotunes9156]

​@@onXBackcountrygreat 411 on the tech!

[@Beacon.Shovel.Bearspray]

You happen to lay eyes on that pinner on the buttress to the left side of the north face? 🌶️

[@CodyTownsend]

That was the one I was eyeballing too, but not in the cards this day. I'm sure it gets skied

[@Beacon.Shovel.Bearspray]

Got it in awful conditions (survival skiing) a couple years ago… I need to get back for the proper descent!

[@CodyTownsend]

Oh nice! Such a rad mountain.

[@yumyumhungry]

What a sketchy entrance.

[@connermartin7558]

go seahawks

[@vipahman]

I don't think it was a classic since it did not have an epic face or a peak. But it sure was fun.

[@andrewdewey4589]

The music is so annoying. My goodness. Especially on the decent. So unnecessary

[@tjb8841]

I liked the music

[@alexguiseppe]

tram face episode