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The Pencil

 5.0 (1)
  1. Areas
  2. CO
  3. …Central Rockies
  4. Crested Butte
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0.3 Miles 0.5 Kilometers


Ski Line

0' 0 m

Ascent

-1,006' -307 m

Descent

61%

Avg Slope (31°)

67%

Max Slope (34°)

11,617' 3,541 m

High

10,610' 3,234 m

Low

Shared By Chris Dickson

Conditions

Unknown
History
Getting forecast...

Avalanche risk for Apr 21, 2018: Unknown

Unknown our outdated data.

Full forecast for CAIC: Gunnison — Brought to you by CO Avalanche Information Center

Avy tweets from @CAICgunnison

“A classic pencil chute with relatively easy access from Crested Butte. ”

— Chris Dickson
Driving DirectionsGPX File
Type: Backcountry or Sidecountry

Description

You can either climb this line before skiing it, or you can skin the ridge on Axtell and drop in from the very top. Either way, expect steep and tight couloir skiing! There are a few chokes (one near the top and one near the bottom) that may require down-climbing (or straight-lining it) depending on the conditions.

Regardless, one hell of a classic Colorado couloir.

Contacts

Land Manager: White River National Forest - Maroon Bells

Jul 8, 2018: Good progress made on Red Canyon 2 Fire; evacuations to be lifted at 6:00 p.m.

Jul 3, 2018: White River National Forest Issues Emergency Closure Order for Forest area around Basalt Mountain

Jun 28, 2018: Stage 2 Fire restrictions begin Friday, June 29 on the White River National Forest

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Trail Ratings

  5.0 from 1 vote

#2

in Crested Butte

#39

Overall
  5.0 from 1 vote
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#2

in Crested Butte

#21

in Colorado

#39

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1,406 Since Apr 6, 2015
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Photos

Climbing the last steep section before you emerge from the couloir.
Climbing the last steep section before you emer…
 5
Skinning up the apron to the base of the couloir.
Skinning up the apron to the base of the couloir.
 3
Riding out the final choke and onto the apron.
Riding out the final choke and onto the apron.
 3
Looking up The Pencil after a great spring ski.
Looking up The Pencil after a great spring ski.
 3
Looking up the upper portion of the couloir.
Looking up the upper portion of the couloir.
 3

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