The Pencil

 1 vote
  1. Areas
  2. CO
  3. …Central Rockies
  4. Crested Butte

0.3 Miles 0.5 Kilometers


Ski Line

0' 0 m

Ascent

-1,006' -307 m

Descent

11,617' 3,541 m

High

10,610' 3,234 m

Low

61%

Avg Slope (31°)

67%

Max Slope (34°)

Unknown

Update

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

— Chris Dickson
GPX File — Driving Directions

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 10, 2017: White River National Forest Temporary Road Maintenance Closures for July

Jul 10, 2017: Final Peak 2 Fire Update

Jul 10, 2017: Investigators seek information on Peak 2 Fire start

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  5.0 from 1 vote

#2

in Crested Butte

#30

Overall
  5.0 from 1 vote
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Rankings

#2

in Crested Butte

#18

in Colorado

#30

Overall
10 Views Last Month
896 Since Apr 6, 2015
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Conditions

Unknown
Update Conditions — History
Getting forecast...

Avalanche risk for Jul 11, 2017: Unknown

Unknown our outdated data.

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

Avy tweets from @CAICgunnison

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Photos

Climbing the last steep section before you emerge from the couloir.
Climbing the last steep section before you emerge from the couloir.
 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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