The FIFTY - Peak Obsession - with Jeremy Jones - Line 17 & 18/50

Cody Townsend has set out on an audacious goal to climb and ski all 50 lines chronicled in the book, "The Fifty Classic Ski Descents of North America". Peak Obsession is a stand alone film premiered at film festivals around the world and dives into the depths of the mindset behind the project told through the story of two of the more challenging lines in the book, Meteorite Mountain and Pontoon Peak near Valdez, Alaska. Joined by legendary snowboarder Jeremy Jones, along with cameraman Bjarne Salen, they set out on an adventure rife with challenge, exhaustion and a bevy of lessons to learn along the adventure.
This short film made in collaboration with Teton Gravity Research and Team 13 Productions.
This is Episode 19 and line 17 and 18 completed for The FIFTY, a project following Cody Townsend as he attempts to climb and ski all fifty of the lines and mountains chronicled in the book, "The 50 Classic Ski Descents of North America." The series documents Townsend's journey's, travels, challenges and each line and mountain listed in the book. It's a journey through the most majestic mountains and ski lines in North America along with a unique insight into how skiers make decisions in the backcountry, how they plan, navigate and safely move through the mountains and the people that dedicate their lives to the mountains.
Music License: Unlimited Music, Artlist License
Cody Townsend
Number - 992550
Audio Post Production: Will Berridge & Carlos Hernandez.
GEAR Used Throughout The FIFTY:
Salomon QST 106: alnk.to/6bRkaUX
Salomon MTN Binding: alnk.to/dLdUm1C
Salomon Carbon S3 Poles: alnk.to/87VEXX0
Yeti Rambler 20oz: alnk.to/gzS237q
Swatch BioCeramic: bit.ly/3gQhCzo
Hyperlite Porter 5400: bit.ly/3XJVCHC
Smith Summit Helmet: alnk.to/ehYjxBD
Smith Wildcat: alnk.to/d3ySqO7
Smith Pursuit Glacier Glasses: alnk.to/7M6hfmL
Smith Squad Mag: alnk.to/hDmzW2F
LeBent Cody Pro Sock: alnk.to/cHJmtdU
LeBent Base Layer: alnk.to/58mMi9D
Arcade Capture Belt: alnk.to/4MxozAr
Mammut Carbon Probe 280: alnk.to/cHJmtfT
Mammut Alugator Pro Light: alnk.to/8iQpWSn
Mammut Barryvox S: alnk.to/2uDpzVA
Pomoca Free Pro 2.0: alnk.to/aeUKJS9
Thule Duffle: alnk.to/9IatNqU
Thule Ski Bag: alnk.to/gKMN24C
Hestra Falt Guide Glove:
Hestra Overmitt:
Hestra Merino Touchpoint Liners:
Honey Stinger Energy: bit.ly/3sPpX9g
Strainge Beast Kombucha: bit.ly/3sK6vLj
TinCup Whiskey: bit.ly/3FvbSpb

[@pf6797]

Seeing Cody immediately back Bjarne’s decision, without question or hesitation was inspiring.

[@mtnrgr275]

Thanks for making a ski movie with great risk management discussions. Too often the "stoke" media skips over the vital discussions during route planning and risk mitigation, too just show the glory payoff shots. As a former mountain SAR professional and current weekend warrior, I really appreciate seeing the way you handle the hazards and group dynamics of turning around.

[@princecrane1277]

FACTS. Cause best believe if you in ANY backcountry program, avalanche class, or out really doin it those discussions are always being had. First ski movie I truly seen where they legit have the talk and turn back. Can't brainwash erybody watching into thinking you jus send it all the time that's dangerous.

[@justchirpin3080]

Come on now bud. You were a volunteer ski patroller next to slow signs…..

[@theboy6435]

@@justchirpin3080 Was gonna get mad at you but then I saw your username and I gotta respect it lmao.

[@asobamohammed3622]

2è

[@Phallas-vo9nc]

Revisiting all of the old episodes now that the new ones are coming out. Man I forgot how real and raw this series was while being stunning from a filmography perspective. Absolute props boys - stay safe!

[@alpinejonny]

Every episode I wonder how you and Bjarne will possibly outdo your storytelling, but then you do, and we get this kinda thing. And here we are. Best video series in the history of youtube? Sure, i'll throw my vote into that hat.

[@CodyTownsend]

We definitely put a bit of extra work into this one. I wanted to show it outside of online at theaters and film festivals. Probably keep doing one "Super Episode" like this every year.

[@alpinejonny]

@@CodyTownsend Banff film fest worthy, without a doubt, was it shown earlier this month here?

[@aaalllen]

i can't decide between that bonus rescue video or this one

[@CodyTownsend]

Got denied by Banff! Guess i’m a little to underground for those big shots!

[@tomasjavurek1030]

Perhaps the best skimo series, but not outdoor in general. I honestly think that the best outdoor is the czech one called Onsajt. Otherwise, this definitely competes with fency series from arc'teryx, salomon, the north face, petzl etc. It is simply good.

[@glennpace9783]

22:47 beer hidden in bibs. Classic!

[@CodyTownsend]

Good find.

[@bigmtn77]

I love how you show there are endless learning opportunities out there in the mountains. It's comforting to see the group dynamics as you cooperate to work as a team. You have each other's backs, and you have clearly shown that we're all sharing a love of our passion as we live to shred for another day of adventure and no objective is more important than life. Stay safe out there and best of luck! Thank you for sharing this beautiful film!

[@brianharder7714]

That shot from the summit of Pontoon as you start sliding down the ridge is stunning. Great conditions, especially for that crack of ass start...LOL. Leisurely, comes to mind.

[@jefffung8679]

I love watching the boys hang out and you spying on mountains with your new binocular sponsorship. But mostly, I have a tremendous respect for the bushwhacking and effort you put in to get to the top of these mountains. I am a professional bushwhacker (I live in coastal BC) and so that is my favorite footage. So stoked you decided to reinvent yourself because this is the kind of content the interwebs need!

[@michaelharris8144]

I love that an inspirational snowboarder and two inspirational skiers can work together without competition or even really mentioning the different platforms. I don't like how separate the two implements are in videos. I ski, my brother snowboards and we do it together. Another amazing episode all around and teaming up with a snowboarder just enhanced it.

[@CodyTownsend]

Yeah man, I feel like the days of even mentioning the differences of the platforms we ride are over. We all just mountain people that like to slide down slopes at a high rate of speed.

[@Trailsthatflow]

Pick your tool and slide....simple

[@mikeshaw009]

I have zero desire and lack the necessary skills to do anything remotely close to this, but I absolutely love watching it. I feel very fortunate to be able to follow you along your adventures and to be able to watch your videos for free on the internet. Thank you so much for putting so much effort into making these videos. I like how long this episode is and I would love to see longer episodes in the future. I can't wait for the next one. Good luck and stay safe.

[@mhsigrist]

I'm glad I invested 32 minutes of my life to watch this. Inspiring!

[@CodyTownsend]

Thank you for investing that time into this flick. Much appreciated.

[@SnowboardProCamp]

You guys make it look so easy!

[@DarkSliders]

If easy is touring for 17 hours then sure

[@snowyman42]

Hi Kevin!

[@mbal4052]

@@DarkSliders yes doing something you love and are well trained for is easy 😉

[@DMC619]

It’s honest so important to trust your friends and what amazing decisions making, if one’s not feeling it you all leave together. Team work makes the dream work.

[@marcusmaximus77]

I can't like this enough!!! This whole series is amazing. Inspirational!

[@Marionetax]

What a legends!!! Awesome mission indeed and the perfect squad to accomplish it. Really stoked!!!

[@tj8858]

I’m so happy your making this series!! I enjoy your skiing and humor. It was nice to watch a goofy snowboarder ride !

[@damienmccutcheon506]

Jones in the man! Remember the first time I saw him riding I was just like whaaaaa f**k I don't even like boarding but this guy rocks! P's what you and Bjarne are doing totally awesome, love the safe attitude and honesty stay safe and have a blast boys looking forward to all the episodes!

[@CodyTownsend]

Much appreciated man.

[@damienmccutcheon506]

@@CodyTownsend Loving it dude, best bit will be seeing you guys doing the 50th. The safety first and honest approach is just what the ski film industry needs IMHO. Maybe I'm getting old haha!

[@adrianjfussell]

@@damienmccutcheon506 totally agree. for all the conservative backcountry skiers and splitboarders, this is the real deal

[@veganvagabond]

Love this episode, learning so much from you, Cody. Thanks for sharing these epic adventures!

[@BlindstuffMTB]

Phenomenal short film. You and Bjarne keep outdoing yourselves with this series.

[@marktwiddle]

Can't wait to watch your descent on Stimson! Love the series soooo much!

[@fernandog.aguirre2791]

Nice! Super happy to see them come home smiling. Smart climb, tough one but these guys probably the most experienced out there. Great job and safely done!

[@MrFL08]

Huge kudos to keeping this going, it’s a truly superb watch and it’s the only video I immediately click on when a new one is released. Keep up the great work and be safe.

[@fugitivephilo]

Beautiful, amazing work Cody. I really appreciate the insights into the route finding, climbing, risk, which is what makes your project so valuable, as well as such great storytelling.

[@mrmike11231]

oh boy we got a twofer! dreams do come true! Nicely done!

[@kevinmorell5168]

Best I've seen in a long time! Love this project! Great job as usual Cody, keep it up.

[@donfrance3]

Awesome type 2 fun .... thank you for educating and showing us all these amazing places with no lifts.

[@PaulBeiser]

Cody, Bjarne you guys outdid yourselves (again). Took me a long time to watch this all the way through because I watched so much of the descents again and again and again.. :-). I can't even imagine how difficult it is but you all (and Jeremy) make it look easy and fun, even though I'm sure it's not all the time. Pontoon was gripping at the end, great discussions and plans. Bjarne's hard work capturing the moments (and having to ski those STEEP lines as well) is appreciated and he's so damn good knowing the angles, lines, moments. Loving all of these episodes and learning a lot and you all are just rock solid in so many ways (and good humor :-). Best, Paul

[@MrKRidin]

Great stuff and it's awesome to see two legends ganging up for an amazing project, skiers and snowboarders tend to be more like competitors and don't gang up, so it's cool to see some shots of the best of both worlds in one vid, incarnate by two legends. Cheers from Chile.

[@scblurlt1962]

really enjoyed this short film version , I hooked on the series can't wait for this winters edition @codytownsend stay safe and same to all your cohorts

[@killmore88]

Excellent work. Never miss an episode. Excited for more!

[@nielssonneveld]

Codyyyy im not even a skiier but i just love your personality and you and your skiiing. Keep up these video's they make me feel so relaxed. Love you man!

[@firstplacelast2]

Thank you guys for letting the drama of the mountain play itself. Beautifully done.

[@bhalldds]

@CodyTownsend Watching you analyze, storytell and hammer these lines is super inspirational. Everytime I watch your videos, it gives me excitement about my next mountain adventure. Keep it up!

[@jacquestejeda5554]

That was a great vid!!! I love the combination of snowboard and ski. Jeremy is the sensei but I think you and Bjarne are right there too. Great team, great vid.

[@andriskii870]

What an awesome movie. This is such an inspiration...

[@tonymozak7864]

Awesome... love your work! Keep it up Cody & Bjarne.

[@dareangelmusic]

Another great adventure/episode! Gets me more psyched to get on my skis this season even if it's just at resorts! Peace, love and powder!

[@woodsoncole5077]

Great Great opening sequence and great wisdom and confidence of knowing when its not right...

[@jeffspicoli2643]

Thanks to everyone who made this short film possible. This was so good! I didn't want it to end! I'm glad there are a lot of mountains ahead! Great job! Let's see more short films ... it's worth the wait!

[@sokbok]

loved the animations showing the ascent lines and the music was good too. keep sending!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@fernandog.aguirre2791]

All these three guys are not only amazing athletes, they can read the snow condition and also predict the weather around them. They have so much experience.....amazing work! Thank you guys!

[@bbezamat]

I loved the section in gaffneys Breathe when herriger skis this. Much diff technology back then haha. Looking fwd to watching

[@jazzman3508]

Great work cody! You're very inspiring and the shots and videos awesome! Thank's to bjarne!

[@warrenbevan1257]

So, so good. Long format is amazing. What a day on top Pontoon! Perfect. Play Phish!!!!

[@aldeniw]

Absolutely amazing work by everybody involved. Let’s see some footage of a Bjarne descent in one of the future vids!

[@1971jwing]

Incredible, thank you for sharing. Much love in your life forever.

[@danchirpich8592]

One person gave this a thumbs down!? What soulless bastard could do such a thing!? This video has me totally jacked for spring! Stoked to follow your travels this season! \m/

[@tugrulirmak315]

You would be surprised how many videos you accidentally down vote whilst relieving yourself on the toilet

[@MAL-yt4yh]

Late comment as I have just discovered ''The FIFTY - Peak Obsession''. I am excited to see this series. It stands out and differentiates itself from the hype videos by the reality of skiing steep slopes with a cohesive and responsible team of great members that call a spade a spade. So refreshing to see real skiers that actually measure risk-reward, and give us these great videos. Goodspeed!

[@paraheaps]

I....cant....get....ENOUGH!! I think i have watched every episode twice now. What an amazing life!

[@jimster9303]

Love the moose head in the lodge, and the beautiful scenery!

[@jakesreilly]

This is amazing. So inspirational. Keep making these! thank you!!

[@charlielucas5372]

You guys are great! I really like the way you take the viewers with you, I can almost feel the cold.

[@SuccessinTech]

Great short. Congratulations to Bjarne and Cody.

[@paulherrmann4923]

such a great film dude...really really enjoyed watching it

[@whitesalmon0925]

what a bunch of legends!! mad respect!!

[@susanappleby2414]

Yay!!! I like this format too.

[@mikesandydotnet]

Simply awesome, Cody. Thanks.

[@kirkhwaltz]

So great Cody! What an awesome film, you all are definitely an inspiring bunch... Haleakala crater has some multi-day hikes that look pretty cool!

[@JamesWilliams-en3os]

I am really glad to see this “bonus” episode... I had to agree with your decision to turn back on your earlier ascent of Pontoon. On this ascent, the snow condition seemed better, but was a tad concerned it was too slabby where you turned back the first time. I’m glad it worked out though. Again, good decision making! Photography was superb. Thanks again for doing this.

[@chriswyatt9869]

Saw this in recommended. Gave it a watch and loved it, then realised its part of a series and there’s loads of videos. Over the moon. Got my entertainment for the next week or so

[@nicholasrandell2310]

I'd love to see an off-week video of you and Bjarne talking through decision making on Pontoon trip 1 vs Pontoon Trip 2; especially since there were still spots where the snowpack appeared spooky.

[@ProSpeedflying]

Great video! Watched all your episodes. Waiting for more 😉

[@gy3coffical706]

Looking at this a year later and having had watched all of the other ones, you can really recognize how far you have come in terms of resilience and mountain experience haha. Youre killing it man!

[@robertgoodwin4730]

I laughed and cheered and yelled and my adrenaline spiked off the charts! Just WOW! You know life is good - GO LIVE IT!

[@thecharlestonchew197]

I’ve never climbed anything like this but for me, when things start to get dicey, that’s almost when I enjoy it the most because of the focus it requires and it’s a puzzle of safety. There’s no greater puzzle than life! You, my friend are a badass. Thank you for sharing these!

[@theadventurer6426]

This is a great short film. Good luck on all the other classics!!

[@skyjockbill]

Just loved this. As ever, so great to understand your decision making. And the backstory about your heli days and the huge contrast to now. As someone who last heli'd more than a decade ago, I'm psyched to have you in the randonnée community!

[@seanlayton1967]

Loving all of this!!

[@riverwoodruff5986]

Saw this at the Backcountry Film Fest Premier, and it was awesome! I'm gonna go watch it again in McCall, please come Cody!

[@jimborainbird2311]

Not sure who was more scared, you or me Cody when Jeremy is talking about getting over crux "slab" section! I am living my extreme skier life vicariously through you. Love, luck and happiness from Chamonix

[@CodyTownsend]

I’d guess we were. Though we felt really comfortable with it, it was a low probability high consequence scenario which is always scary.

[@corrbox2]

Thank you for sharing this fantastic experience guys. You are amazing adventurer's as well as WAY above normal excellent boarders and skiers. The filming was excellent. Bravo to your crew the filming and editiing they did. I am sure none of them had it easy carrying all that camera filming gear withh them up the mountains, and in the helicopers. You guys are all in amazing physical shape. Keep taking care of yourselves, and be careful on future "adventures"! This is wide mouth open, watching hiking, skiing, boarding, and all else. It was an enjoyable time for me viewing your adventures from the beginning to the end. Thanks again.

[@edwardlobb931]

Over the top, for perfect integration of drone with helmet cams. The best! Thank you.

[@rikardtvedby3206]

Great episode and awsome skiing!!

[@richardholt7903]

Feeling the power of the mountain now!👍

[@mpk4076]

Great work Cody. Best wishes from Europe.

[@chriskutlina5743]

soooooooooo awesome!!!!! LOVED IT!!

[@user-sf8co2yp2o]

first video in a long time that I've watched from beginning to the end..greetings from the Alps guys 🇦🇹

[@paperboy7364]

Great series - absolutely love it! Would be great to see a feature on your camper truck and its kit. That seems an essential bit of kit for this series.

[@lindseymckirdy1830]

its great to watch your decision making .. respect to you and the guys for turning back.... always a tricky decision-when so close to the summit It shows the level of experience in the party that everyone was thinking it at the same time ...... and managed to vocalise it before the point of no return love the cinematography too

[@danahauptmannova7939]

Fantastický stream, díky 👌👍🍀🌹

[@skeight976]

as of 11:30 this is most real Jeremy jones doc I have ever seen, so good. that river crossing Yikes. Its so stoke how Jeremy is spotting you. skier and snowboarders do get along. i started skiing and switched now going to switch back or just everything snow fun. snow is just fun. my first time watching your channel. did we all realize how good life was before the suckiness. pray for snow

[@Johnson_KB]

Awesome stuff, real inspirational lines.

[@eaglesfannnn]

What a GODDAMN face, that was rad! Appreciate how you guys also put safety front and center in these vids, definitely helping to protect some people for sure

[@russman109]

Hell YES Cody Townsend! Love your project, and I really dig your videos man. I appreciate that you show the "real" side of climbing lines on foot and the true complexity of it. And the actual suffering lows, and drunk on stoke highs. I'm stoked to see the bindings I built for Jeremy too! Almost nobody can ride lines the way he can. Love it!

[@CodyTownsend]

Thanks Russ. Much appreciated. It's definitely been a goal of the project, to show what goes into climbing and skiing big mountains, which is as you said, complex.

[@susannewilliams]

Hey, just a word of total appreciation. That you ski it, that you film it, that you share your tips with us. Brilliant storytelling. Totally captivating. You just have such a great presence. Learning from you with each episode. Keep em coming! (Thanks for Purl Speed Wax, Yeti Thermos and the MSR snow brush!!!) - " To learn the mountains in a whole new way!" - YES.

[@neilbower123]

Such a great series of films; so inspiring, even for me stuck in UK. Cheers

[@cantona0823]

showing some love from nepal. hoping to run into you someday, some corner of the world! skiing has opened up a whole new world for me since i was introduced to the sport some 3 years ago, only wish i'd havehad he opportunity to learn it earlier in life! keep sending it! cheers brother!

[@JohnSmith-dz4wh]

Great clip. I appreciate you showing the decision making and smarts.

[@rvhmon656]

John's Jerry guitar is the the most beautiful and stunning sounding thing I've ever heard...yet it has its own soul through John. Damn I'm impressed...takes me back to the Warfield yet it has it's own direction forward...Timeless and futuristic at the same time. We've warped the dimensions of time and space.

[@Shalmenski840]

You guys are so incredibly inspiring... love it...

[@kadenmckibben9986]

I live in Alaska and I recommend coming back many times in the future!

[@RahimKhan-cb8yw]

Hey Cody! Great videos, amazing project with one of the most skilled and inspirational skier! Just enjoying my new Salomon qst 106 thanks to you!

[@fjordbear3050]

Fav episode, watched 8 times

This was outrageously good

[@gohullboy]

Best video yet! BROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

[@hankmishima4798]

One of the best ski/board videos I have seen. Thanks for all the work creating this video! Every minute is excellent.

[@CodyTownsend]

Wow, thanks!

[@incidentalist]

"Got some bear spray?" "Nah but we got a shotgun." LMFAO!! 🤣😂 After watching the end of the Grizzly Man last night maybe it wouldn't be a bad idea!! This stuff is amazing, TY for the time and effort you put in to this!! As someone who's been skiiing nearly 40 years I really appreciate it!! Now, I think I'll stick to the slopes 🤣

[@slimigan]

Just rewatching all these gems - can't wait for this season's (2022) Canada lines!

[@MrTiconator]

this footage is so sick, big respect, winter comeee!!!!

[@adrianjfussell]

amazing!! great job guys, keep pushing