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First Flatiron Ski Descent March 1

rob.calm · · Loveland, CO · Joined May 2002 · Points: 630

Austin,

Thanks for posting about this. It was fun to read about, especially for those of us on the Front Range. Like most people we find more cogency in reading about “stunts” performed on a local rock than what might be a more significant accomplishment elsewhere.

I think most of your critics are just jealous now the you’re going to be sponsored by Eldorado Spring Water and Boulder Natural Foods.

Rob.calm

chosspector · · San Juans, CO · Joined Oct 2008 · Points: 1,296

Skiing on belay is not really skiing....

Scott McMahon · · Boulder, CO · Joined Feb 2006 · Points: 1,425
chosspector wrote:Skiing on belay is not really skiing....
Skiing on no base isn't skiing either. Honestly i don't blame him. scree skiing is one thing but 800 feet off the ground is another. Sure it diminishes the risk, but who says it has to be reward = death? I've climbed that route a ton and did it on gear every time. One turn where the snow washes out and he's done. Not going to be able to self arrest on slick rock with ice unless he hits something or comes to rest on a flat spot. At least when Bill Briggs skied the grand at least he had a base!

It's not like he set the world on fire. It was a crazy idea that he followed through with a bit of safety net. You don't have to risk death for everything to be badass.
B D · · Boulder · Joined May 2010 · Points: 0

This kind of thing is done a lot in Utah. Examples are Ciochetti's Ribbon or the Great White Icicle. Take a look at Andrew Mclean's book, The Chuting Gallery, or this blog:

tetonsandwasatch.com/top-de…
tetonsandwasatch.com/2011/u…
youtube.com/watch?v=0bJxzgk…

If you have skis on, it's skiing. Rope work adds safety and fun factor. Now go patch up those core shots!

Scott McMahon · · Boulder, CO · Joined Feb 2006 · Points: 1,425
BrianD wrote:This kind of thing is done a lot in Utah. Examples are Ciochetti's Ribbon or the Great White Icicle. Take a look at Andrew Mclean's book, The Chuting Gallery, or this blog: tetonsandwasatch.com/top-de… tetonsandwasatch.com/2011/u… youtube.com/watch?v=0bJxzgk… If you have skis on, it's skiing. Rope work adds safety and fun factor. Now go patch up those core shots!
was this one in the powderwhore movie?
Marc801 C · · Sandy, Utah · Joined Feb 2014 · Points: 65
BrianD wrote:Take a look at Andrew Mclean's book, The Chuting Gallery,...
Or as my friend once referred to it: Andy's Big Book of Stunt Skiing!

Grunge Couloir or Hypodermic Needle - gnarly and hairball
Great White Icicle - yeah, kind of a stunt

Is stunt skiing bad? Hell no! But it's certainly not for everyone.
Dave Walker · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Aug 2009 · Points: 0

When I heard of this, my first thought was "I always wondered if the snow could be good enough to do that. Now I know!" Upon reading various articles, I realized that the snow conditions were really marginal, at best, and that is as good as it is likely to ever be. Then, I read the blogs, and was appalled at how ugly the climbing community is to one another. I've been climbing and skiing all of my life, and have always tried to maintain an encouraging attitude. I don't know Austin Porzak, but the last thing I believe anyone should do is attempt to belittle this (or any) achievement. If you don't have something encouraging to say, SHUT YOUR TRAP! It was a project that he had been working on for a long time. He did the foot work. He figured out how to do it with a level of safety that was acceptable to him and his team, he waited for the best conditions possible, and he did it. That's all. We don't have to condone or denigrate his efforts. After all, we all do this stuff because we think it's fun. Where's the fun in bashing someone else's achievements, unless it's to inflate your own ego? Now, I just looked at the Guideline#1 for this blog, and I think many of those using it should look at it too. Guideline#1: don't be a jerk

phil broscovak · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Apr 2002 · Points: 1,631

Dave Walker +1

Altered Ego · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jul 2008 · Points: 0

His run was alright. I could do better but I'm morally superior to this type of activity so I don't bother. Just wanted to let you know...

SDY · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jan 2013 · Points: 10
dansohner · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Nov 2013 · Points: 0

Just a link, eh? No commentary?

Just wondering if the author actually did any research, or even read this thread? Kinda sad from an editorial perspective. She interviews her friends (climbers) but only one person on the skiing team?

There was a whole bunch more to this story than what has been presented. No love for the ski community or those out there trying to further the sport.

SDY · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jan 2013 · Points: 10
dansohner wrote:Just a link, eh? No commentary? Just wondering if the author actually did any research, or even read this thread? Kinda sad from an editorial perspective. She interviews her friends (climbers) but only one person on the skiing team? There was a whole bunch more to this story than what has been presented. No love for the ski community or those out there trying to further the sport.
Did she read this thread? Like MP research is good journalism?

Interviewed "her friends?" she interviewed 3/4 of the climbers on route that day... who else should she have interviewed?

"only one person on the skiing team?" It was the skier, who else would have a better say what happened than the person skiing?

Given that you were the photog, seems you might be a bit biased...
Austin Porzak · · Boulder/ Vail · Joined Oct 2006 · Points: 1,475

The article is super bias and flat out wrong! I had fun and that's all that matters to me. You can watch the footage and make your own call. Cheers!

SDY · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jan 2013 · Points: 10
Austin Porzak wrote:The article is super bias and flat out wrong! I had fun and that's all that matters to me. You can watch the footage and make your own call. Cheers!
That's fair, is there somewhere the whole footage is posted? I saw like a 10-15 second clip...

My problem with that is the article suggests it was done in one style, then represented to be something entirely different, and photos and video were taken/edited in a way to misrepresent, so if all we see if a heavily edited short clip, its hard for anyone to determine the validity of the article.

On one hand, if you just did it for personal accomplishment, you should ignore me and everyone else- you know what you did and you should be proud if you are happy with it. On the other hand, if you did it to log the first decent and to get publicity (as hiring a pro photog, and the amount of social media attention you solicited suggests), then it is fair that the people you are trying to get adoration/sponsorships from should know what style it was done in.
wendy weiss · · boulder, co · Joined Mar 2006 · Points: 10

I went to the GoPro footage to see the skiing for myself and it looked like the same few turns repeated over and over in a continuous loop. Am I off base here? Someone help me out.

SDY · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jan 2013 · Points: 10
wendy weiss wrote:I went to the GoPro footage to see the skiing for myself and it looked like the same few turns repeated over and over in a continuous loop. Am I off base here? Someone help me out.
Yeah, its a 15 second loop
Sidni West · · Boulder, CO · Joined Oct 2012 · Points: 20
dansohner wrote:Just a link, eh? No commentary? Just wondering if the author actually did any research, or even read this thread? Kinda sad from an editorial perspective. She interviews her friends (climbers) but only one person on the skiing team? There was a whole bunch more to this story than what has been presented. No love for the ski community or those out there trying to further the sport.
Dan, I emailed you twice and called you once, but you did not respond, which indicated you were not interested in talking to me about this story. I have nothing against skiers and most of the climbers I interviewed are also backcountry skiers. I did my research and wanted to share the perspective of the only other eyewitnesses who were not on your team. I'm sorry if you feel personally attacked, but that was not my intention. I included the GoPro video in my article to let people decide for themselves.
Tom Halicki · · Boulder, CO · Joined Jun 2006 · Points: 35

Well, I'll add to the pissing match. I was in the last party up that day and I dropped their fixed rope for them. I only saw the second guy come down from about the end of the first pitch, followed by the photographer. I think the general tenor of Sidni's article is correct. I did not see anything that I would describe as skiing, but fun is where you find it.

Fixed rope on Silk Road.

aikibujin · · Castle Rock, CO · Joined Oct 2014 · Points: 300

I'm sure some of the snowboarders out there have thought about this by now, but quick! Someone drag a snowboard up there, get lowered off, and claim the first snowboard descent! Just make sure the board is on your feet for the lower off.

Stevee B · · Oakland, CA · Joined Oct 2012 · Points: 5

Consider Jim Zeller's Half Dome descent and marinate.
tahoedailytribune.com/artic…



Read the article. Not belayed. Real deal hairball.
Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Colorado
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