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The Pencil

 5.0 (1)
  1. Areas
  2. CO
  3. …Central Rockies
  4. Crested Butte
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Map Key

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 Feb 14, 2019: High

Very dangerous avalanche conditions. Travel in avalanche terrain not recommended. Natural avalanches likely; human-triggered avalanches very likely.

Full forecast for CAIC: Gunnison Zone — 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

Feb 6, 2019: Forest Service seeks public input on Vail Pass Winter Recreation Area fee increase proposal

Feb 5, 2019: Historic Wendelin Portraits on display in Meeker to celebrate Smokey's 75th birthday

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Trail Ratings

  5.0 from 1 vote

#2

in Crested Butte

#42

Overall
  5.0 from 1 vote
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Rankings

#2

in Crested Butte

#24

in Colorado

#42

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1,879 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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