An Extremely Scary Experience: Arapahoe Basin 2nd Notch (East Wall)

[@KirbeyAlt]

you continuing to commentate during a completely uncontrollable fall was amazing and hilarious

[@coleross3354]

Having skied this run twice, I’ve found it essential to downclimb backwards into the entrance. Trying to slide in on your butt is kinda what caused this fall

[@josecornado38]

I am a willie’s wide guy. A backpack to carry skis also helps

[@abclimbing]

@@josecornado38 the willy’s wide hike sucks so much worse than the north pole one tho

[@rosskantor7098]

This makes the steep gullies hike seem worth it

[@proverbalizer]

Exactly, like duh, who tries to climb down a ladder facing forward? And is should definitely be done with your skis strapped to your back and two hands free

[@philipmartin3902]

definitely downclimb and have a backpack to strap your skis to.

[@choski76]

Great job handling that and still presenting it to us.

[@lynnmattie78]

I've only skied 2nd Notch one time. I loved the run, but when I climbed in there was no rope available. Climbing down that section without skis on was probably the scariest ski moment of my life. I faced into the mountain and climbed down backwards, kicking my toes in and making sure my footing was secure before moving my hands and ski gear down a step. It was a huge relief when I clicked into my skis. I think you did a good job on self arresting without your skis attached.

[@nickv3085]

He did? lol he slid for days and did hardly anything to self arrest. He also downclimbed forwards…which…is…nothing short of ridiculous

[@sgolding4588]

😆I love this! The play by play as you go in and slide cracks me up! Hilarious! Love it! ... and for non-Basin skiers... it's not that bad... "Incredible Grip Strength"...LOL....love the added drama!

[@jmvldz]

Glad you’re safe! That experience looks gnarly. A backpack where you could a frame your skis to down climb would have been super helpful. Also, a Voile strap to strap your skis together would also be good!

[@PeakRankings]

Thank you! Backpack is certainly coming next time 🥲

[@markcoomber8222]

@@PeakRankings ALWAYS wear a backpack for essentials, first aid kit, snacks, water.....and to protect you back in the event of a fall.....oh, and to carry skis.

[@wazawoo]

That climb back up at about 14k feet must have been exhausting. Props! And yeah glad you didn’t get hurt lol

[@Jargonman457]

Thanks for sharing this video! I had a similar experience at snowbird this year and felt so embarrassed. It truly can happen to anyone.

[@PeakRankings]

Of course! Wanted to make sure to show the full experience, even if it wasn't the prettiest 😅

[@Jonesnaltitude]

Props for posting this. Gearing up on the steeps makes my heart race as much as anything. Glad it wound up a laughable event.

[@jackv7094]

I just did the 2nd notch last week, it's absolutely as sketchy as it looks. I recommend carrying skis/snowboard on your backpack.

[@grant2707]

This is one of the best videos I’ve ever seen

[@cub1008]

Great work and thank you for sharing. Quite a few turns on one ski. This reminded me of when Lane Meyer conquered K12 on one ski.

[@jakoblevantinus9113]

One of the best videos in all of Yt. And inspiration for this Easterner's first trip to Colorado last February. Made it within 8 miles of A Basin at Keystone. Maybe I will be ready next year.

[@bruschi8148]

HAHA love the commentary on the slide down

[@AccessAlpine]

That commentary is gold -- Great skiing once you got the skis back!

[@squeegeeman2000]

Al’s Blog is so matter of fact about this expert trial/trail. Thanks for the first person perspective. Much better.

[@frankthetank5328]

I just rode North Pole (the last chute) today. Gnarly stuff didn’t even know this one existed - Thanks for the post, will have to check this out!

[@speck_the_nomad]

Literally on the edge of my seat watching this

[@drzagato]

An authentic content creator. 👍🔝

[@BLR653]

Yo bro - you got brass balls man...... pro tip - get yourself a backpack to carry the skis that way you can down climb with both hands and then when ready you take the skis off the pack when you are in position and have a little ledge dug - epic work tho. You got lucky you didn't go aaaaaaaaaaal the way to the bottom.

[@filejw862]

Abasin is great place lots of fun but I’m not so sure what he did could be categorized as fun !

[@BrennenL]

What a video!!!! More like a TRIPLE black!

[@hugowilliams1988]

Arapahoe has blue runs that are more difficult than the double black diamond in some ski resorts in the east. Their welcome message is "Welcome adult guests to visit us !".

[@MadTopHat1]

You are a baller sir. Commentating that was the best.

[@TwinSkiingLiftsRides]

Holy moly! That looks steep!

[@shoham00]

You need a back pack that you can attach your skis to, and you really should be wearing a beacon here. And climbing in that elevation.. way to go! 😁

[@averagejojofan8649]

Why? East wall is heavily mitagated and the ski patrol wont open it unless there is perfect conditions

[@coleross3354]

Agree completely on the backpack. Avy risk is super low though

[@shoham00]

@@averagejojofan8649 Fair enough - I'm only commenting on what I see of the terrain - I haven't been to A basin. You probably know better.

[@averagejojofan8649]

@@shoham00 yeah been to the basin a lot and it doesnt open until the end of february

[@ladderman1090]

Backpack would definitely help and while a beacon never hurt anyone this is in bounds terrain so it's kinda overkill

[@Chris11249]

Wow. Most underated video of the year! This actually was insane lol, not some teenager saying it just to say it

[@richardcasey4439]

That’s insane. I ski everywhere else at A-Basin

[@chriscronin5243]

Awesome commentary the whole time

[@heatherlovell5465]

Nice job skiing on one ski in @nd notch, it looked cool.

[@matthewkalb7269]

How would you rate the food options/prices in the down climbing section?

[@MrKidxam]

A Basin is no joke! A serious test for even the best skiers...

[@Theodoreaschneider]

Why did you decide to huck yourself off the rope at the end of the down climb? Also did you have to go into the lodge and change your undies? I did and I’m on the couch.

[@kevinharwood8109]

love the calm commentary while you slide uncontrollably down the chute and lose all your gear. Wouldn't a backpack with your skis be a much better option than carrying your gear tho?

[@PeakRankings]

Probably.

[@proverbalizer]

Definitely, lol

[@coloradoinjuryfirm9921]

This comes across as satire. Seriously though, if you don't know how to properly downclimb into consequential terrain and have some basic idea how to self arrest - don't go in. Fortunately 2nd notch is a pretty straight shot. Other areas on E wall (or ridge at Bridger or headwaters at B Sky) with a glissade on your ass could result in a nasty tumble over rock.

[@proverbalizer]

So how do you self arrest on a 45 degree slope with no equipment? He's just lucky it was soft snow

[@user-um3fx2vk8r]

@@proverbalizer well for starters, try not to fall in the first place. a backpack to carry his gear or climbing down backwards and not sliding on his ass wouldve saved him the fall.

[@Chops00]

Seriously. I do 2nd notch several times a season and I cannot comprehend how he messed this up so badly.

[@daneg]

@@Chops00 talking for the video and going down front first for the better view of the drop in. seems pretty obvious. as to whether is was a particularly bright idea...well...heh.

[@markmd9]

You reminded me that guy that after falling from a vertical cliff said "thank you" to the camera 😂

[@danb.709]

I've heard A basin patrol offer to take first timers up there, in my experience they are excellent at helping and encouraging people to get into gnarly stuff... if they seem ready... Either way should maybe have some sort of partner to do this with, preferably someone that has done it before, this is even more important in the steep gullys area.

[@kennethmcclain3383]

You’re a good example of who shouldn’t be up there.

[@steveharris6916]

Good thing he found his right ski first

[@TheBourneBlogger]

When he fell, lost a ski, and said he had to ski on only one ski I thought of Jean Claude van Damme in Bloodsport when he had to fight in the finals without his vision.

[@AdmiralXiphos]

Ive only got in there once but i kept my skis on and sidestepped slowly holding the rope... that way i didnt have to deal with trying to clip in at the end of the rope

[@daneg]

not that I think the guy did a great job of it the way he tried it (😀), but that didn't look nearly wide enough to side step with skis on.

[@easternyellowjacket276]

Seems like this arrangement for entrance is more suited for snowboarders than skiers with that rope. I'm glad you survived that harrowing experience. Not to mention there isn't much oxygen at that elevation unless you are acclimated to it.

[@PeakRankings]

Thanks! Harrowing is right 😅

[@ST19859]

I was thinking the same thing, On my board I would consider that but never on skis

[@zaviwaher9536]

No expert here but that rope and climbing facing out is how you can get yourself dead. Even with knots rope can be frozen slippery and you have only one hand on it.. get a backpack. Always have 3 point of contact when doing this. 2 feet 1 hand, 2 hands one foot etc

[@themichaelbilello]

the narration during your fall was fucking gold

[@Chops00]

This dude is being dramatic. I do this several times a season. It’s pretty chill. Idk how he managed to mess it up that bad. You just wrap the rope around your wrist once and you can kinda let it slip through while you descent and it is very secure. There’s like 2 technical tight turns at the top choke point then it widens up and is very chill.

[@mtadams2009]

I think when you have been exposed to this type of terrain it's no big deal. Many years ago, when I started skiing trees it felt very scary, same with steep icy bump runs. Things take time. I come from a rock-climbing background so things that scare my friends I have no issue with. I am sure if he stays with it, he will adjust.

[@Tunky150]

If you’re skiing this stuff at a-basin you shouldn’t be alone.

[@joro8604]

Glad you had a camera on. That and Dutch wallet at kicking horse are runs i will never do.

[@jasonsong86]

I looked at it and I was like NOOOOOOOOOO WAYYYYYYYYYY!

[@GrothausWoodworks]

Mountaineer pro tip everyone; FACE THE ROCK Why would you downclimb different than you would upclimb? Dig those toes in!

[@franka7691]

400th Like! Thanks for posting.

[@JHSports]

I was so scared when you were falling omg

[@kevinhart9014]

You should do a video on why bad skiers post ski videos and rank terrain they don't belong on.

[@bigwave_dave8468]

Consider a ski sling or pack so you can properly down-clime and maybe an ice axe next time? Nice narration though!

[@mikekilleen1337]

Dude I did this with my skis on… I now realise I could have just taken them off. I nearly shit myself. But oh my god what a line!!

[@JHSports]

I was scared from watching

[@davidrubin4289]

So, you skied it alone and were carrying your skis with one hand and holding the rope with the other?

[@PeakRankings]

Guy at 5:09 was spotting me, but yes to the second part. Would certainly bring a backpack next time

[@JHSports]

Holy shoot that fall was scary 😟

[@ytpete2]

Holy chute? 😉

[@retro_tcb]

Thank god your ok, seemed like for a second you just accepted that you might not stop :(

[@MotoBuilds]

im always up for skiing double blacks and doing hike to terrain....but i would have probably kept going the other way had i seen that rope. LOL i literally said "What the F***" when i saw you look over the edge in the video.

[@carloscastenada1]

dedicated videographer

[@christophercarberry]

You need to go to Europe and ski with a guide at Chamonix, Val d'Isere, La Grave, etc. They would require your skis in a pack, a strap to hold them together, backward belay and possibly a harness to clip into the rope. This is how not to ski Second Notch.

[@jimshorts5970]

I’ve only taken the cat walk at the bottom of that. Prob gonna stay that way:)

[@adamr7963]

Sketchy for sure

[@Qnight30]

Sheeesh!!!!!

[@KevinBauman]

I've done 2nd Notch a couple of times. One time in knee deep powder, the first day the upper East Wall opened. There was no rope that day. Fortunately there were a few of us, and we could hand our skis down, person to person.

[@gartheklund2359]

No crampons or an ice pick to arrest a fall

[@McBurnside6380]

I'm going to go from skiing green runs, to this in one season. The youtube video will cover my death.

[@BedstuyDude]

wow😳

[@Perceivedshift]

Seems you really should have a backback to secure your polls and skis for this run.

[@JB-rt4mx]

You need alpine baskets on your poles !!

[@cbetasun]

why are you skiing on only one ski?

[@daneg]

1 ski gets a better edge into the steep face than two ski boots and a hand.

[@lannyeq]

Wow, so glad you're ok. I definitely felt your "Oh crap!" moment.

[@PeakRankings]

Thank you! Glad it didn't turn out any worse.

[@KN-ko8ez]

This is extremely narrow and dangerous….let’s send it.

[@ianmacleod2081]

I bet not many people can say they skied second notch with one ski..

[@worrok789]

I need to show this to my fiancé, 'See, it's not that bad if you fall a little, he's fine.' :DD She'll love that /s.

[@Hrmn8tor]

Dork shit. I completely relate to this video

[@Qian1980]

My experience was better. If I do it next time, I would bring a ski backpack.

[@LF-Productions]

That’s one way to claim first tracks 0.O

[@stuyboy]

ski with a partner, no the yt audience doesn't count.

[@PeakRankings]

Guy at 5:09 was with me, but maintained his distance for safety reasons

[@sixfigureskibum]

Famous last words...." if you are an expert A basin trust you to get the job done" proceeds to glisade 100 feet

[@thepessimisticoptimist9375]

a backpack is a must. Obviously. I'm like he's going to do this with skis in one hand. Way to ruin all that good snow by attempting something you weren't prepared for. lol one ski is the move. This guy has zero business being there.

[@sethvicious]

exactly

[@theskilawyer]

Top notch buffoonery

[@JoelB3]

Excellent strategy for negotiating this run. This is comical and mind numbingly stupid. Maybe plan it out with any technique at all?

[@dwang911]

basic self arresting, if you start sliding turn on your belly and face forward, you gain momentum sliding on your butt

[@BigRick50]

I'll give that one a big miss.

[@danthompson4412]

No business being on that run tbh… control yourself… know what doesn’t happen with a snowboard!?? Doesn’t fall off and get left uphill lol so much hate for snowboarders

[@danb.709]

Snowboards have no business being on certain side stepping hikes and traverses. Taking it off is not safe or reasonable some places and if you can't side step hike or push yourself along you get stuck, often in a super sketchy place. It's not a hate thing it's just a limitation of the equipment in a very specific situation. In the pursuit of gnarly terrain snowboarders sometimes do get in skiers' way and hold things up, or even become a liability. Again in a few specific situations before the riding down even starts, snowboarders usually do fine at that. This is why Alta will never allow it, that's their entire mountain. 2nd notch at a basin however is relatively easy to access and is open to everyone, it's the getting down that is tricky. Also skis come off to prevent injury, I'd rather hike up after my gear than go to the hospital, snowboarders don't suffer many leg injuries like skiers do, but they make up for it with way more upper body injuries, so trade offs.

[@proverbalizer]

funny, the other video I saw a someone doing this same nonsense on this same run, was a snowboarder

[@BigHikeGuy]

are these runs even fun 😂

[@JohnnieKav]

It's more than a 10 minute hike, just saying.

[@timothymiller7898]

Dude…really. Stop talking and focus on your technique!

[@JohnShields-xx1yk]

I like all your videos but sometimes it's probably better to concentrate completely without talking, even though you usually have no issues, something like that with very little footing you need to stay quiet I would think. Thank you.

[@AdmiralXiphos]

lmfao what a fail

[@vipahman]

Crampons!

[@Chops00]

There is much harder stuff at A-Basin. You should not have been up there…

[@MrIsomer]

Is this a video about how NOT to do it?

[@wookie82]

These texans

[@Potterz907]

What a newbie

[@nathanwendt7478]

this was such a cascading shit show.. especially cuz this dude is alone

[@jayk.8192]

Looks like you ran out of talent pretty quickly.