The FIFTY - 1/50 - Skiing the Fifty Classic Ski Descents of North America

Introducing The Fifty. A project to climb and ski all 50 lines chronicled in the book, "The Fifty Classic Descents of North America" by Chris Davenport, Penn Newhard and Art Burrows. Over the next three years I, Cody Townsend, will be chronicling the adventures, challenges and travels around North America skiing a collection of the most aesthetic, spectacular and hardest lines in North America. Episode 1 details out the plans and the first line ticked off on the adventure, the Messner Couloir on Denali, the highest mountain in North America.

This is line 1 completed of 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.

ROUTE Info:

WEATHER:

GEAR Used Throughout The FIFTY:

[Rob-tscx]

Don't mind me just watching the best ski series on the internet for the fourth time. Yew!

[ETZepplin]

Definetly thought the foreshadowing was leading towards some epic fall on the descent. Glad I got sweaty palms for nothing. I hope you do Tucks right by sending it on a weekend with a hundred bazillion people watching.

[sba]

“Then, it dawned on me…maybe I should try.” Inspirational quote for me for 2023. Thanks Cody!

[TheGreenExplorer]

I just found this, watched every current episode in 2 days and am immediately starting it over. This series is really inspirational to me

[ВолодимирМосковченко]

Till we all are waiting for the new episodes of THE FIFTY project, I've decided to watch it from the beginning again.
Thank you Cody, that's my favorite series about skiing!
I'd like to see my other favorite skier and videographer Nikolay Schirmer skiing one of the 50 together with you and Bjarne!

[supertrampian]

look back to the first episode of fifty, still love the "low quality-homemade-cringe style jokes-less work" vibes, can totally feeling that you loved what're you doing. thanks for bring us such great ski videos!

[Rob-tscx]

The ski season is just starting here in NZ. Watching this epic series for the third time to get my stoked for it. My fav series on all of youtube!

[tschomsnpast]

My 19 year old daughter sent me this link. Mr. Cody Townsend + TEAM, really an inspiring job you did with making and filming this project. Great idea and the funny introduction pushed me to watch completely during my (normally boring) bike training on the roil in the basement. And because of your sympathic behavior and the exiting kind of filming, the time during my training really runs fast. Take care and a lot of greatings from Austria. Tom.

[wetsockoutdoors]

This is the stuff I search for, but only shows up in recommended.

[fernandog.aguirre]

Wow, what a way to live and enjoy life! ..Cody wishing you good luck and health!!! Thank you for keeping us dreaming and motivated!!!! Alohas from Maui!!!!

[ericdumerac]

IFMGA Mountain Guide here. So impressive and inspiring! I'd like to support your efforts. Your story and a vision quest are of an epic conquest, a challenge fraught with hardships, as all major challenges are. Stay safe and shred them all!

[woodymike]

Really enjoying your quest! I specifically love the realism of your mountain exploration skills. I also like learning about avi danger/preparedness and how you are safe doing unsafe decents. Keep going and I hope you complete your project!

[brianharder]

You're a great candidate for this. Looking forward to following along. Love the concept. Regarding the Messner, for sure pretty rowdy wind board and breakable in there for you. Makes me think how lucky Koch was when he rode it around '97 in perfect supportable and made about 10 turns down the whole thing. Ridiculous. But then again, you had perfect summit weather where he was getting blown around. Here's hoping you're equally blessed during this journey.

[stevesmith]

Quarantining....Shuffling around the house, debating about vacuuming a third time, waxing the no-wax floor or rearranging the refrigerator...again. Ugh. Basically just gettin' though each day. And then at the end of each day, I watch a few episodes of THE FIFTY... and Bam I'm out in the mountains adventuring with some really cool people hitting lines that most likely I will never get to do. It's amazing man. Watched the Sphinx last night - pucker factor off the charts. Your series is SO good. An awesome project that's entertaining and beautifully shot by Bjarne et al. Anyways...looking forward to catching all the vids as you complete your quest. Thanks for the adventures!! Be safe and well Cody.

[mhsigrist]

I'm not a ski person and I don't even know how to proper ski but this video is GOLD. I'll be watching every single episode from now on. Super cool channel.

[midi]

I remember competing against Ian in my first big mountain comp at Squaw back around '97.

[rossmacrae]

I've been loving watching this series and am viewing in no particular order. Half way through and got to the first one. I don't ski and don't understand why you wouldn't ski this line again - it didn't look problematic for your talents. Is it the location?

[MrSmokensurf]

No matter how hard I try I can’t help but love this dude. Why am I resisting?!??! I got issues yo

[jackstanley]

Hey Cody, this is such an awesome series! My fiancee and I are loving it and through to about ep 16 at the moment. We just need to ration the next 10 or so through all this London lockdown nonsense. Good luck with the rest of the series and hope you're not affected and can keep skiing for us!

[sigga]

Very cool idea, I follow along! Good luck!