The Fifty Project: Bloody Couloir
In year five of Cody Townsend’s “The Fifty Project,” we’re showcasing his lines and route descriptions in onX Backcountry. Go deeper on The Fifty Project and get the beta from Cody on how he plans, executes, and conquers these 50 descents.
Watch The Fifty: The Bloody Couloir
Having skied this line over 20 years ago, the Bloody Couloir in the Eastern Sierra Mountains of California, is a full circle journey for The FIFTY. Joined by an all-star crew of friends and pros, this is the final line of The FIFTY — so far. While there are still four lines to attempt, the end of the FIFTY YouTube series is marked by the return to a classic couloir in classic FIFTY style; a little bit of extra walking but a day in the mountains that celebrates friendship, fun and growth. Co-Starring: Elyse Saugstad, Josh Daiek, JT Holmes, Greg Lindsey, Michelle Parker, Ming Poon, Forrest Shearer, Brian Walker, Grayson Schaffer and Drew Petersen.
View Cody’s Line in onX Backcountry
Below is an interactive map of Cody’s line on The Bloody Couloir. Use Control + Drag to rotate in 3D on desktop or two fingers to pinch, zoom, and rotate on mobile. Login or create an account to gain full functionality.
The Fifty Project Guidebook: The Bloody Couloir
onX Backcountry has partnered with Cody Townsend to bring you guidebook quality descriptions of routes in The Fifty Project from Cody himself. Read his beta on The Bloody Couloir below. Start your free trial of onX Backcountry today to view these lines and descriptions in the App.
Overview
Possibly the best introductory lines to the High Sierra steeps, access challenges and beautiful vistas. It is a popular spring time couloir and for good reason. With stunning views from highway 395 of the line itself, the couloir begs to be skied. It’s got a long enough approach to be quite challenging for introductory backcountry skiers and a pitch that is just steep enough to warrant caution. It’s a perfect big day out and step-up line for intermediate backcountry skiers yet fun enough and classic enough to be skied by the best.
Photo: @the.fifty.project
Ascent Description
The ascent starts wherever the road ends and the snowline begins. Depending on that line, a walk in hiking shoes on the dirt road or skinning up the snow covered road will bring you into the Bloody Basin. Don’t follow the road too far, as a lower line in the valley and near the creek makes for an easier route into the cirque below Bloody Couloir. Hiking directly up Bloody Couloir, the couloir to the lookers left or up the shale ridgeline are all possible ascent routes and avalanche conditions, warming, other groups, rock fall and weather should play into the decision of what is the safest up route.
Photo: @the.fifty.project
The Descent
The descent starts at around 40 degrees and gradually rolls over to 45 degrees as you transfer from the upper face into the couloir itself. Be careful to not drop too far to the skiers right and cliff yourself out over the 500ft cliff that guards and upper hanging face. Ski through the couloir and back out your skin track back to the car and the desert below. Don’t forget to bring your cooler and a couple cold ones waiting for you at the end of the day
Photo: @BjarneSalen
Hazards
Avalanche hazard is the main concern and should be heavily considered like all backcountry days. Otherwise, open creeks, rockfall and exposure danger are all present
Photo: @the.fifty.project
Exit Description
Ski back to snowline, walk back to your car
Photo: @the.fifty.project
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