Powder Project Logo

The Pencil

SKI LINE
Very Difficult
 5.0 (1) SKI LINE
  1. Areas
  2. CO
  3. …Central Rockies
  4. Crested Butte
Previous Next

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

Chris Dickson
Your Rating:      Clear Rating
Your Difficulty:
Your Favorites: Add to Favorites · Your List
Google Map
Zoom in to see details
Map Key

0.3

Miles

0.5

KM

Ski Line

11,617' 3,541 m

High

10,610' 3,234 m

Low

0' 0 m

Up

1,006' 307 m

Down

61%

Avg Slope (31°)

67%

Max Slope (34°)
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

Shared By:

Chris Dickson
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  5.0 from 1 vote

#2

in Crested Butte

#60

Overall
  5.0 from 1 vote
5 Star
100%
4 Star
0%
3 Star
0%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Ski Line Rankings

#2

in Crested Butte

#25

in Colorado

#60

Overall
16 Views Last Month
2,504 Since Apr 6, 2015
Very Difficult
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
100%
Add a Photo

Photos

Climbing the last steep section before you emerge from the couloir.
Apr 6, 2015 near Crested…, CO
Skinning up the apron to the base of the couloir.
Apr 6, 2015 near Crested…, CO
Riding out the final choke and onto the apron.
Apr 6, 2015 near Crested…, CO
Looking up The Pencil after a great spring ski.
Apr 6, 2015 near Crested…, CO
Looking up the upper portion of the couloir.
Apr 6, 2015 near Crested…, CO

0 Comments

Weather

Current Trail Conditions

Update Conditions
Unknown See History
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

none

Nearby Ski Lines