The classic line called "The Sickle" in the Sawtooth Mountains of Idaho is a ski line that at first sight, just begs to be skied. It's a visual beacon that draws all eyes in with its dramatic, arcing, cleave in the side of Hortsmann Peak. This steep and narrow line combined with an adventurous and arduous approach served to be the perfect line for Cody Townsend to introduce the world of ice axes, crampons and laboriously long ski tours to his award-winning, world champion, professional freeride skier wife, Elyse Saugstad.

Though decorated as one of the most accomplished freeskiers of all-time, the world of ski mountaineering is completely new to Saugstad and served up a day in the mountains that was the ultimate test of a marriage. 

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'The FIFTY' is a project to climb and ski all 50 lines chronicled in the book, "The Fifty Classic Ski Descents of North America". Over the next three years, Cody Townsend will be chronicling the adventures, challenges, and travels as he takes on a collection of the most aesthetic, spectacular, and hardest lines in North America.

Line #1: Messner Couloir

Line #2: Mt. Superior

Line #3: Terminal Cancer

Line #4: Hypodermic Needle

Line #5: Mt. Currie

Line #6: Aemmer Couloir

Line #7: Joffre Peak

Line #8: The Sphinx

Line #9: Spearhead Traverse

Line #10: Giant Steps Couloir

Line #11: Grand Teton

Line #12: Landry Line

Line #13: Middle Teton

Line #14-15: North Maroon & Holy Cross Couloir

Line #16: Mt. Tukuhnikivatz

Line #17: Wilson Peak

Line #18-19: Meteorite Mountain & Pontoon Peak

Line #20: Watson Traverse

Line #21: Mt. Shasta

Line #22: Mt. Timpanogos

Line #23: Mt. Washington

Line #24: Mt. Shuksan

Line #25: McGown Peak