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The Pencil

SKI LINE
Very Difficult
 5.0 (1) SKI LINE
  1. Areas
  2. CO
  3. …Central Rockies
  4. Crested Butte
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“A classic pencil chute with relatively easy access from Crested Butte. ”

Chris Dickson
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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

#74

Overall
  5.0 from 1 vote
5 Star
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Ski Line Rankings

#2

in Crested Butte

#27

in Colorado

#74

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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

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