The FIFTY - Line 33/50 - Mt Whitney with Alex Honnold - Road Bikes, Climbing and Terrible Skiing

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  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 6 ก.พ. 2025
  • In the never ending quest to make The FIFTY more difficult, Cody Townsend is joined by legendary rock climber and free soloist Alex Honnold to attempt to link together the lowest spot in North America, Badwater Basin (-282' below sea level) with the highest spot in the continental United States, Mt. Whitney (14,505' above sea level) via a 135 mile bike ride linked to a climb and ski of the Mountaineers Route on Mt. Whitney. Alex is no stranger to sufferfests and joins in on a long time goal of his own, but done in a manner that he is not very familiar with...on skis.
    This is Episode 30 for The FIFTY, and line 33 of 50 completed by Cody Townsend. The FIFTY is a project following Cody Townsend as he attempts to climb and ski all fifty of the lines and mountains chronicled in the book, "The 50 Classic Ski Descents of North America." The series documents Townsend's journey's, travels, challenges and each line and mountain listed in the book. It's a journey through the most majestic mountains and ski lines in North America along with a unique insight into how skiers make decisions in the backcountry, how they plan, navigate and safely move through the mountains along with the people that dedicate their lives to the mountains.
    Music Licensed from Artlist.io
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    ROUTE Info:
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    WEATHER:
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    GEAR Used Throughout The FIFTY:
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ความคิดเห็น • 811

  • @CommunityTheatre
    @CommunityTheatre 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2041

    Absolute class from the host. Cody was worried Alex would be self conscious about his skiing ability, so he gave himself heat stroke to even things out.

    • @susanappleby2414
      @susanappleby2414 3 ปีที่แล้ว +32

      Just one of the many ways Cody is awesome. Just hope he never does this again.

    • @arghlene
      @arghlene 3 ปีที่แล้ว +19

      this comment has me dying

    • @patrickchase5614
      @patrickchase5614 3 ปีที่แล้ว +60

      I doubt that was heat stroke in any clinical sense of the term. A diagnosis requires a 104 degree core temperature at a minimum, and is usually accompanied by a bunch of additional symptoms that Cody wasn't exhibiting.
      He cooked himself (definitely severe heat exhaustion), got dehydrated, and experienced ventricular tachycardia of some sort. Most of us who've ridden century+ distances in serious heat have done that at least once, and a lot of us talk it up as heat stroke in the bar afterwards, but the real deal is much more rare and usually lands you in the hospital. IIRC it almost always requires active measures (cool bath, ice packs, etc) to re-cool the body, since your body's own regulation has broken down at that point.
      I don't think anybody could recover from clinical heat stroke by sitting down for an hour or so, and then proceed to ride another 50 miles.

    • @CBonesey
      @CBonesey 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      It was total class act. What the situation clearly called for.

    • @patrickchase5614
      @patrickchase5614 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      ​@@brettmollenhauer4114 V-tach can be fairly benign, or it can be really serious. I know people who've had fairly benign VT episodes in situations like this (though one of them ultimately needed ablative treatment because it kept happening)
      You're right that we only know that he had tachycardia, period. Thanks for the correction.

  • @MetaphysicalBotanicals
    @MetaphysicalBotanicals 2 ปีที่แล้ว +207

    Alex Honnold getting to the top and saying "I don't think I can ski down this" is iconic.

  • @Andy-Mesa
    @Andy-Mesa 3 ปีที่แล้ว +600

    "I feel uncomfortable and unhappy but basically fine". Alex is such a fucking beast.

    • @cauthoncrazy
      @cauthoncrazy 3 ปีที่แล้ว +23

      I think this is the Most Alex thing he's said since the fridge shopping in his doc, lol

    • @Velocifit
      @Velocifit 3 ปีที่แล้ว +10

      You'd be up for a massive day if he said he was feeling good.

    • @LawofMosesHere
      @LawofMosesHere 2 ปีที่แล้ว +9

      My favorite thing is he’s literally always eating

  • @CamHeldPhoto
    @CamHeldPhoto 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1171

    Cody: "I don't know what's wrong with me."
    Also Cody: Wears all black in the desert on a 100 degree day.

    • @someusername121
      @someusername121 3 ปีที่แล้ว +87

      Seriously though. I live in this environment...you'd be better off wearing all white long sleeve than that short sleeve thing in black. And you gotta be sipping water and electrolytes non stop. Like 12 oz of water per 15 minutes.

    • @mettflow2648
      @mettflow2648 3 ปีที่แล้ว +23

      @@someusername121 you voluntarily live in such environment? are you fucking fremen or what? ;D

    • @DrewNorthup
      @DrewNorthup 3 ปีที่แล้ว +16

      @@someusername121 That (water + salts) was my immediate thought, but I formulated it slightly differently: ½ strength Gatorade continuously. I've already learned the hard way that if you run out/low on salt you stop sweating, no matter how much water you take in.

    • @walterlippmann6292
      @walterlippmann6292 3 ปีที่แล้ว +20

      and a helmet and long hair. the mustache prob doesn't help either. gotta keep that upper lip cool

    • @erikseymour1
      @erikseymour1 3 ปีที่แล้ว +34

      @@walterlippmann6292 you made a lip comment and your last name is Lippmann. I appreciate this, thank you.

  • @Ranar14
    @Ranar14 3 ปีที่แล้ว +569

    Alex: "Sorry for all the snow, don't know how to ski" AHAHAHAH best line of the 50 so far this year.

    • @bwc128
      @bwc128 3 ปีที่แล้ว +9

      And that person he said it to probably didn't realize he is one of the greatest climbers of all time.

    • @dFrame06
      @dFrame06 3 ปีที่แล้ว +8

      He free solo'd the last bit in ski boots 😉

  • @lifeofluke
    @lifeofluke 3 ปีที่แล้ว +361

    Alex Honnold is relentlessly optimistic and it's infectuous

    • @CodyTownsend
      @CodyTownsend  3 ปีที่แล้ว +35

      He truly is.

    • @cre8tvedge
      @cre8tvedge 3 ปีที่แล้ว +20

      @@CodyTownsend And he delivers it with bomb funny irony about death.

    • @LawofMosesHere
      @LawofMosesHere 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      And always hungry ❤️

  • @AndreiKucharavy
    @AndreiKucharavy 3 ปีที่แล้ว +822

    Previous episode: "Not every line has to be a sufferfest".
    This episode: "Hey, let's bike 135 miles with 15000 ft ascent before hitting the approach to the peak. Oh, and we are biking the Death Valley too".

    • @billmcc64
      @billmcc64 3 ปีที่แล้ว +46

      And let's wear a completely black outfit on a sunny day in case I get cold...

    • @stuartseldon1737
      @stuartseldon1737 3 ปีที่แล้ว +14

      At noon...

    • @CodyTownsend
      @CodyTownsend  3 ปีที่แล้ว +91

      Just every other line must be a sufferfest

    • @kantarjiev
      @kantarjiev 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      @@CodyTownsend Right - the last one was too easy so this one had to be a suckfest. Truly, thanks to both of you for showing your vulnerable sides in the final edit.

    • @MattJGillooly
      @MattJGillooly 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      The Sufferfest part 99% came from Alex.

  • @ZachShock13
    @ZachShock13 3 ปีที่แล้ว +317

    Finally a relatable episode! Alex not knowing how to ski and Cody dying in the heat, love to see a good ole fashioned struggle fest!

  • @byronrhodes1659
    @byronrhodes1659 3 ปีที่แล้ว +88

    That moment between Alex and that climber was priceless! “You’re the reason why I’m climbing Whitney Alex!” That’s so cool!

  • @AndreiKucharavy
    @AndreiKucharavy 3 ปีที่แล้ว +279

    18:44: "Sorry for all the snow, don't know how to ski" - says the dude in a 35-55 deg couloir.
    That's pure epicness one can only aspire to, right there. (skiing alone - the rest is a whole different territory)

    • @Thuky1
      @Thuky1 3 ปีที่แล้ว +13

      that was pretty badass! But there is no way the parts they filmed were anywhere near 55 deg. Even 45 is pretty challenging if you don't know what you are doing... Especially if the snow pack is frozen.

    • @mettflow2648
      @mettflow2648 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      @@Thuky1 I mean he slid it down, but respect for pretty big balls, knowing that you are not a good skier and still sending it :D

    • @yetigonecrazy
      @yetigonecrazy 3 ปีที่แล้ว +7

      anybody else looks like a goon doing that, but because its Alex is hilarious

    • @lmgarruzzo
      @lmgarruzzo 3 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      @@mettflow2648, Totally agree. That's a pretty daring thing to do for 'not knowing how to ski.' He's probably a little savvier than the rest of us who 'doesn't know how to ski' than he lets on. Like really, I don't know how to ski, and if I tried that, I would have died.

    • @gregparrott
      @gregparrott 3 ปีที่แล้ว +11

      @@Thuky1 I've taken that route and guess it to be between 35 and 40 degrees, pretty consistent until reaching the runout near Iceberg lake.

  • @horsebeef
    @horsebeef 3 ปีที่แล้ว +93

    The visual of Alex Honnald as Jerry is my favorite thing in the fifty project so far. Alex just has the best attitude ever.

  • @riverradley1639
    @riverradley1639 3 ปีที่แล้ว +312

    "It's like brutal. I'll just say I'm like suffering from the heat now, and I wouldn't be surprised if Cody dies." Hahahaha so good.

  • @jackgilliat5863
    @jackgilliat5863 3 ปีที่แล้ว +145

    The Fifty Project is the best series on TH-cam! Number one rule of mountaineering: know your limit and never be afraid to turn back, safety first.

  • @ashmomofboys
    @ashmomofboys 2 ปีที่แล้ว +20

    I did the mountaineer route up Whitney and if I had seen someone ski down saying “sorry for the snow. Don’t know how to ski” I would have fallen to my death laughing 😂

  • @patagonialuke
    @patagonialuke 3 ปีที่แล้ว +397

    Editing & soundtrack were on point for this one, between Alex’s extreme descent and Cody’s Ocean’s Eleven-esque reveal of the “insurance policy”

    • @MrPyriusfire
      @MrPyriusfire 3 ปีที่แล้ว +37

      The moment when the song stops when Alex attempts the turn, so good!

    • @wiedmer43
      @wiedmer43 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Exactly what I was thinking!

    • @CodyTownsend
      @CodyTownsend  3 ปีที่แล้ว +51

      Glad ya noticed, made some backend changes lately. Loved the way this one came out

    • @amadeopuzzo
      @amadeopuzzo 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Recognizing where you are in your body is as important as planning for avalanches. Cody, don’t kill yourself.

  • @ChadLubinski
    @ChadLubinski 2 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    The editing with Alex's descent is the best thing I've seen on TH-cam possibly ever

  • @etapepartners
    @etapepartners 3 ปีที่แล้ว +117

    props to Cody for knowing when to call it. props to Alex for getting way out of his comfort zone in skis !

  • @AndreiKucharavy
    @AndreiKucharavy 3 ปีที่แล้ว +122

    Also, this is a really good illustration of why Death Valley is called Death Valley. Without cars and AC, the heatstroke recovery... In any case, glad you made it ok.

  • @jamesrogers98
    @jamesrogers98 3 ปีที่แล้ว +32

    Never thought I’d see honnold ski, lmao. He seemed so happy when he was 30ft from the summit and finally encountered some rock he could climb.

  • @NicknameGrant
    @NicknameGrant 3 ปีที่แล้ว +13

    "Please don't tell anyone you saw this"
    Alex. This is going right to TH-cam.

  • @WhiteWater505
    @WhiteWater505 3 ปีที่แล้ว +34

    imagine hiking Whiney and seeing some guy struggle to ski down, decked out in full Summit Series North Face gear. You'd probably think to yourself, "what a poser" and then immediate notice and say, "oh f*ck, that's Alex!"

  • @MarksManNorthAdventures
    @MarksManNorthAdventures 3 ปีที่แล้ว +69

    Recently took a wilderness first aid course - seems like Cody was suffering from heat *exhaustion* not yet heat stroke. In the future for anyone reading - apply rapid aggressive cooling as fast as possible to bring down body temp and avoid heat *stroke* which is a very different and often fatal animal

    • @user-uy6uc5ey5q
      @user-uy6uc5ey5q 3 ปีที่แล้ว +16

      @Chris Woods Did WFA myself years ago as part of guiding qual which also included a unit on adventure risk assessment at Ed Hillary OPC down here in NZ.
      A lot of these trips aren't especially well planned and seem very shoestring on the whole preparation side of the expeditions. The video production side seems to be eating up far to much of the spend and Cody seems by the look of it short cutting having someone outside the talent on screen making the safety calls and he is essentially acting as the 'safety officer'. You need someone qualified who isn't going to be caught up in the 'summit fever' psychology this whole project runs real risks of being.
      There's no way in hell once he blew up he should have been let back on that bike nor allowed to attempt Mt. Whitney after barely 3 hr rest. When a guy as fit as him has his heart rate above 120 for a sustained period when at rest he should have been taken to hospital for checks right there and then.

    • @MrCALLUM9999
      @MrCALLUM9999 3 ปีที่แล้ว +8

      @@user-uy6uc5ey5q I second this. The whole heatstroke thing was super painful to watch. Even the Australian Army loses a few soldiers a year to heatstroke. Often super fit young guys who just push too far. Its surprisingly an easy thing to do.
      Cody should have called it when he was puking and gone to at least a hotel with ac to recover for 24 hrs. Most of the heat related fatalities I've heard of happen the day after something like this. Especially with little sleep.
      Honestly he's super lucky he didn't get really fucked up the next day. It sort of ticked all the boxes for a potentially really bad time on the climb the next day.
      I also realise this is really easy to say as an observer. They must've been under a fair bit of pressure I'm sure.

    • @user-uy6uc5ey5q
      @user-uy6uc5ey5q 3 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      @@MrCALLUM9999 Hence why you need someone in the production crew who has the quals to say - 'nah mate we will pack it in now' outside of the adventurers.
      Cody was in no fit state to be making those calls which i'm guessing from the fortage he was doing.

    • @OwenL2020
      @OwenL2020 3 ปีที่แล้ว +7

      Agree with heat exhaustion, though his case did seem pretty extreme with dryheaving, etc. They could have prepared a better recovery for him.

  • @ttengineer404
    @ttengineer404 3 ปีที่แล้ว +13

    I can only imagine what that guy was thinking as he’s climbing a mountain and sees Alex awkwardly skidding down. Absolutely mind blowing.

  • @ruffrydazz2032
    @ruffrydazz2032 3 ปีที่แล้ว +9

    Oh man, that's rough. Heat injury is a very real thing and this video demonstrates some good and bad. The good is that you did stop. The bad is that you kept going after you heard alarm bells ringing. Once you red line, you stay red lined for a long time.
    The second and bigger problem was trying to treat heat injury with hydration. Hydration is good... if you are dehydrated. It is not a solution for over heating. To treat heat injury you need to cool the patient off; shade, ice, getting your skin wet in conjunction with moving air for evaporative cooling, get into a car with cold AC.
    Other than that, another killer video! KEEP IT UP!!!

  • @JEEDUHCHRI
    @JEEDUHCHRI 3 ปีที่แล้ว +32

    I love how casual these guys can be when actually pushing themselves outside of their own comfort zones.
    Like, “yep, there’s my limit!”

  • @MakersTeleMark
    @MakersTeleMark 3 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    One day, me and my best friend CJ, waiting for a leftover permit for whitney, got one, hiked up there, set up camp, bagged I think Russel at sunset (we solo'd some peak to the right), hit the east ridge of whit, ran down the mountaineers route, then down to the valley with a flask I had saved of jameson, and drove that old civic to the bottom of the valley to catch a lowest and highest in 24 hrs. Not the same at all, but I know that sentiment. Brings back memories. All highs fortunately from the late 90's. We were beat to crap, but I picked up a pizza, a 12er of sierra nevada, and a penthouse, and he passed the fuck out in a no tell in lone pine, and we drove to jtree the next day only to come back next year to do some more alpine walls. Some of the best times of my life.

  • @lachlanswanson1582
    @lachlanswanson1582 3 ปีที่แล้ว +54

    Bystander: "The only reason I climb is because you inspired me to pursue it!" Alex: "Sick!"

  • @juliusbulle
    @juliusbulle 3 ปีที่แล้ว +40

    Experts suggest that complete recovery from heat stroke and its effects on the internal organs may take 2 months to a year. Let's do mt whitney!! :D

  • @Vo2maxProductions
    @Vo2maxProductions 3 ปีที่แล้ว +37

    Now imagine Running that line!

    • @DaveyBooBoo
      @DaveyBooBoo 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Imagine running that line into Alex Hannold

    • @davidhoffman908
      @davidhoffman908 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Not exactly the same route to the summit of Whitney, but on foot was the way this was originally conceived and carried out. th-cam.com/video/Gz1ipT7kmp8/w-d-xo.html

  • @Sean_Court
    @Sean_Court 3 ปีที่แล้ว +34

    Oh brother...I could feel the sufferfest through the screen. And then you have the GOAT Honnold over here excited to climb an "actual slab of rock" ...IN SKI BOOTS... awkward selfies commence along with some serious edge work (yes Alex, you DO know how to use your edges 😂). I loved every minute...so happy nobody was killed during the filming of this episode! 🙃🎿🤙

  • @RobertLesterMountainKing
    @RobertLesterMountainKing 3 ปีที่แล้ว +12

    A wonderful addition to "Sufferfest" and "Sufferfest 2" with Alex and Cedar Wright. Has a similar feel evoking a certain type of stoke

  • @stephenbreithaupt277
    @stephenbreithaupt277 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Alex is a hero of our time for, pace, consistency, attitude, pateince and commitment. He IS amazing!

  • @jordanabendroth6458
    @jordanabendroth6458 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    This has got to be one of my favorite episodes so far

  • @ericgulseth74
    @ericgulseth74 3 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    This episode made me genuinely smile. For a guy to run into his inspiration to be there in the first place and then get the selfie. Good stuff. Plus Alex seems to be a superb human being.

  • @SummitForWellness
    @SummitForWellness 3 ปีที่แล้ว +27

    How you can suffer heatstroke then continue to go another 35 miles is unbelievable. Also I know Alex is a beast on the walls but for some reason I never pictured him as someone who could keep up and outlast Cody during sufferfests. I'm impressed!

    • @MattJGillooly
      @MattJGillooly 3 ปีที่แล้ว +15

      Alex was actually in two short adventure films with Cedar Wright called Sufferfest 1 and 2. He also did the Rim to Rim to Rim in a day. Dude is a ridiculous elite athlete through and through.

    • @robipochapin1789
      @robipochapin1789 3 ปีที่แล้ว +7

      I’m going to offer that he wasn’t suffering heat stroke but heat exhaustion.

  • @lukebohemian
    @lukebohemian 3 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    Class video! Alex was a great guest, it’s refreshing to see him doing something other than climbing.. aka skiing quite badly and taking selfie’s 😂

  • @Whistler326
    @Whistler326 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Loved Alex was your guest (WoW).....As for Alex taking time to take a photo on the mtn ( so surreal to see their suprise when they realize who he was......thank you thank you thank you, a great moment.....!!!! Hopefully the heatstroke is short lived!!!

  • @cameronhoeffler8853
    @cameronhoeffler8853 3 ปีที่แล้ว +11

    I had a heat stroke earlier this year backpacking in canyonlands, that feeling of “something is seriously wrong” is exactly it. It sucks man, just takes over your whole body.

  • @DanielRussellsterling
    @DanielRussellsterling 3 ปีที่แล้ว +22

    This makes me feel better for some of my failed adventures in the past. Stoked to see pros be raw like this with their experiences!

  • @erinb4919
    @erinb4919 3 ปีที่แล้ว +11

    Great episode. Biking death valley in the afternoon. Can't think of a worse hell... Alex is too funny, so hard core. Impressive to side slip down all of mt Whitney in crap conditions, with minimal ski background! Great job guys 👍

  • @bikerdude923
    @bikerdude923 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Cody, I'm sure I'm not the first to say it here, but hopefully you see this advise somewhere. In environments like the desert you should be wearing a lightweight and light colored long sleeve shirt (and I like one with a hood) and I also recommend all your cloths be somewhat baggy or at least not skin tight, this all helps you stay cool by keeping the sun off your skin and allowing the air to cool you off while you sweat. I say this as a fellow skier who for some reason lives in the high desert of NM and does a lot of hot (upper 90's to 100F) hiking and biking in the summer. Keep up the good work though, these are my favorite videos, always motivates me to get out and push my limits and explore!!

  • @emilylore7077
    @emilylore7077 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I almost died of heat stroke when I was 7 years old. All I remember was suddenly feeling the need to vomit and then I blacked out. Not something to mess with. He did good by listening to what his body was saying. Mad respect to these guys for trying new challenges and finding new limits to push- all while letting us watch. Awesome humans!

  • @dmtabke
    @dmtabke 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    Alex skiing off the top of Whitney is my favorite ski segment of all time.

    • @CodyTownsend
      @CodyTownsend  3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      I was so bummed to not be there for that. Oh and I tend to agree with you, our editor Lou, she crushed it on making that seg.

    • @highlyfavored2434
      @highlyfavored2434 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@CodyTownsend hey hope you're feeling better. Once you got in the car you became quite pale, be careful out there. I've sent folks to ICU before from severe heatstroke

  • @johnlarsen2851
    @johnlarsen2851 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    10 out of 10, hands down my favorite episode! The best part is the heavy metal music in the background while the world's greatest free solo climber is "skiing" down! So much type 2 fun!

  • @Birchpointoutdoors
    @Birchpointoutdoors 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Love Alex’s quote at 8:33. Such a great mindset to have when faced with adversity

  • @thomasbordenave8515
    @thomasbordenave8515 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Alex has perfected the side slip. Well done.

  • @clysher
    @clysher 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    This video is all the best things. Conflict, resolution, bad snow, good weather, wish fulfillment... I can only imagine how the guy that got a selfie feels in the middle of his own achievement!

  • @benbarber1863
    @benbarber1863 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I can't imagine what the climbers must have thought when they saw someone haphazardly skiing down, to see that it's none other than Alex Honnold!

  • @CarlMarvin
    @CarlMarvin 3 ปีที่แล้ว +39

    Omg taking the plastic off of Alex's skis and trimming the skins with a knife 🤣

    • @dnch
      @dnch 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      well he actually gave them to Alex as he is sponsored by Salomon soo.. :)

  • @jimmyyang6296
    @jimmyyang6296 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    love the foreshadowing. "I've done some dumb stuff, but this might be the dumbest" - Cody Townsend. Definitely type 2 fun on this one!

  • @jimmygodin7122
    @jimmygodin7122 3 ปีที่แล้ว +8

    Pretty serious heat stroke/heat exhaustion symptoms, man! You guys may have looked into this already but it’s helpful to know that-with heat stroke-rapid cooling, i.e. submerging the patient in the coldest water possible, is the recommended treatment. Your buddy gave you pedialyte, which could be an effective treatment if you were sweating a ton, but it typically does little for treating heat stroke. Getting into an air conditioned vehicle was probably the best solution if there was a lack of ice or cold water. Scary stuff! Glad you’re alright.

  • @ryans_myth
    @ryans_myth 3 ปีที่แล้ว +159

    I'm 90% sure Alex left his boots in walk mode

    • @buerger23
      @buerger23 3 ปีที่แล้ว +22

      Alex didn't know what skins or a skin cutter was. I wouldn't be surprised if he didn't know his boots had a walk mode until someone told him and just forgot to switch it off.

    • @VietnamVet74
      @VietnamVet74 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      They were !

  • @etapepartners
    @etapepartners 3 ปีที่แล้ว +25

    just finished the bike portion of the vid. reminds me of early June this year when I showed up in the Portland area to run a trail 50k race. it was the weekend of the "heat dome". trail temps were 115 - 120 degrees. I was coming from East Coast 50F temps. I made it 20 miles and had to DNF. I know exactly what Cody felt like. there is a reason that pros like Sally McRae to intensive heat acclimatization before racing Badwater. I applaud the effort though, sometimes you just don't know until you try. Now on to the rest if the vid...

    • @FukUNerd
      @FukUNerd 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      That weekend was brutal. Had to DNF my day at the river with my gf because of heat exhaustion

  • @jamesbwaterman
    @jamesbwaterman ปีที่แล้ว

    Also--This is one of the best episodes. Alex is such a funny, effortlessly entertaining dude and I love how it just became him wandering around on skis up on Whitney, like Crocodile Dundee wandering around Manhattan.
    Home Run Cody!

  • @tymo7777
    @tymo7777 3 ปีที่แล้ว +48

    Black kit is really popular right now, but I’m not a fan. I know it’s more flattering but I really think a light colored kit and unzipping the jersey would help with the heat on the bike quite a bit here.
    Edit: I don’t mean to sound overly critical. Mad respect! Awesome trip!

    • @sorentrexler3688
      @sorentrexler3688 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      It’s also always a good idea to have something bright and visible from far away in your pack in case of a rescue

    • @CodyTownsend
      @CodyTownsend  3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      Heat acclimatization would’ve done far more for me than any color Jersey. I’ve worn black in similar temps riding before, it has little effect beyond comfort.

  • @nnutanprabhat
    @nnutanprabhat 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Spot on, best of both worlds. Keep inspiring people.

  • @TH_ANDY
    @TH_ANDY 3 ปีที่แล้ว +44

    I hope Cody gives himself a nice long break after this. Scary seeing some of this knowing medically what was likely going on. Really should have stopped. I had the unfortunate experience of seeing someone die from heat stroke at Fort Sill and it is a horrible way to go. Cody came very close to not having the same quality of life he experiences now.

    • @climbinbrian
      @climbinbrian 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      I had heat stroke this year, thought I was going to die. I never want to experience that again

  • @kylemorrison82
    @kylemorrison82 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    You guys are savages! I have bonked pretty hard myself once or twice, but nothing like what got Cody here... Props for soldiering through!

  • @markthomasson5077
    @markthomasson5077 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Never thought I would see someone who can ski as well as I can on this channel!

  • @dominicfagan6457
    @dominicfagan6457 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Textbook example of type 3 fun, complete with the line "that was still super fun" at the end. Love it

  • @lukenelsonfilms1006
    @lukenelsonfilms1006 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    The cross-over we didn't know we needed 🙌🏻🙌🏻

  • @raphaelkinney
    @raphaelkinney 3 ปีที่แล้ว +8

    It's absolutely wild the footrace that happens on that same route every summer. I know the strategy the runners use is definitely take it really easy when the sun is out but at night is when you can push it a bit more. Also wearing white or light colored clothing might have helped in this episode as I noticed you were wearing almost black. Awesome episode and thanks for taking us along!

  • @scottmccullough8030
    @scottmccullough8030 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Props to showing the bail. Its nice to know that failure IS an option and doesn't have to be bad when you stop and turn around.

  • @jerrymcsendy
    @jerrymcsendy 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Maybe the funniest episode yet, so rad to see Alex gettin it!

  • @dirtandsol
    @dirtandsol 3 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    Favorite episode of the entire series so far!

  • @dirtyintel5668
    @dirtyintel5668 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Cody you madman. I'm so glad you stopped before there was permanent damage!! You are awesome... Alex puts skis on even though he knows he shouldn't!!!! You two!!!!!!! Get out. 😀😀😀

  • @mhsigrist
    @mhsigrist 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Alex is a legend. What he does is so incredible that seeing him having a terrible time with skis is hilarious. A reminder that after all he's still human.

  • @cats-and-robots
    @cats-and-robots 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Alex could butt skootch all the way down for all we care... what a machine. Good show Cody, thanks again and sorry for your troubles.

  • @bend6799
    @bend6799 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    I helped crew a friend through two Badwater finishes and am intimately familiar with that entire route. That heat is hard to deal with, big respect for making the right calls. Great video, really enjoyed watching the adventure :)

  • @Naafun
    @Naafun 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Awesome video, top effort from both you guys. How nice of Alex to stop for a selfie!

  • @amateurhouradventures
    @amateurhouradventures 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I love these crossover adventures! Definitely looking forward to more of these!

  • @frozenragu
    @frozenragu 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    I love Alex, so fit and committed to the journey. A special breed

  • @mjohnburns
    @mjohnburns 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Pretty scary man, it reminds me of a time that I had heatstroke so badly that I thought I was having a heart attack and almost passed out - my peripheral vision became blurry and I started having trouble hearing. Your face wile you were in the truck pretty much sums up how I felt. I almost got PTSD fro watching this episode.

  • @samerhamde
    @samerhamde 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    2 legends and in one video. Happy u made it alive

  • @scottlink1693
    @scottlink1693 3 ปีที่แล้ว +9

    Seriously! This was the best episode so far!!! Great job to all involved!!!

  • @fuori_piste
    @fuori_piste 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    I LOVE the rawness and realness of these videos! Nice job, Cody and crew!

  • @fouglasdir
    @fouglasdir 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Damn, that was entertaining! The combo of your personalities is a winner! Loved this one.

  • @atray3288
    @atray3288 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    It’s so awesome that Cody shares ALL of the ups and downs of Type 2 raddness. Sometimes you’ve just got to call it a day when you realize your body is done. The mountain ain’t going anywhere. You’ll get another shot. Thanks for your vids man love it. Hope to see you in the whites one year!!

  • @bjshear
    @bjshear 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    at 6:18 you can see Cody has goosebumps. That is a sure sign of heatstroke when you have goosebumps and it's 95 degrees outside.

    • @CodyTownsend
      @CodyTownsend  3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Nice eye. Also the fact I wasn't sweating at all was a bad sign early on.

  • @k0k0butta
    @k0k0butta 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    what a banger, watching Honnold crushing the descent was great

  • @zipperboy2008
    @zipperboy2008 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    So cool to see you working with Alex! You guys make a great team.

  • @Brandonmichaelc
    @Brandonmichaelc 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Thanks to both of you putting this out there and showing how hard these expeditions can be while also revealing how humbling the desert and the mountains can be. As for conditions on Whitney? Should have waited for this year 🤣😂 there's hardly any snow in that gully!? Classic! Praying we have a better year this year! Thanks again guys! There are some local crushers on the Eastside you just made feel real proud! A few have FKTs for that mission!

  • @HyoJooOutside
    @HyoJooOutside 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Did this a couple years ago! But spread the bike ride over a few days and did the hiker's route. I also struggled around mile 40 on the bike ride; it was still pretty hot even in October. Tough ride up to Towne Pass. The whole adventure was super challenging but rewarding and it brought back a lot of fun memories watching your video :)

  • @michaelerickson9837
    @michaelerickson9837 3 ปีที่แล้ว +27

    I’ve skied 50deg slopes with that exact same style. No shame in it. At least you did it.

    • @timthompsondp
      @timthompsondp 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Its the only way to do it when they are icy and you are like me and suck at skiing. Lol.

  • @VietnamVet74
    @VietnamVet74 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    My favorite episode yet! Really hope this one blows up

  • @randyspotts5069
    @randyspotts5069 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    The Valley of the Shadow of Death... Make that two valleys! Great episode in some amazing country.

  • @ty_zib
    @ty_zib 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    What a duo! Another great episode!

  • @nomadtrails
    @nomadtrails 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    oh my god the music on Alex's ski segment is perfect!

  • @samueleller5469
    @samueleller5469 3 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    The fifty project featuring elite endurance athlete… Bjarne Salen!

  • @thelisa11
    @thelisa11 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Great collab guys, love it and I’m glad you all survived.

  • @mathiasstoffersen4518
    @mathiasstoffersen4518 3 ปีที่แล้ว +25

    As an avid bicyclist myself, at the begining of the video I was thinking "Why would he wear a black helmet, black shirt and all, while cycling through Death Valley? Had the helmet and Jersey been white, it could've done a huge difference."
    But glad you took the decision to stop and drive there, no line is worth your life in such conditions.-

    • @BudgetAdventure
      @BudgetAdventure 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      I was thinking the same thing! I have a white shirt for hot days, makes some difference, not sure how much exactly, but enough to notice it.

    • @crawdadds
      @crawdadds 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      I think you a right about the black jersey, but ultimately, the route would have been better to do as an all-night ride because even with a support van, the heat is tough thing to counteract.

  • @yaDIIAniW
    @yaDIIAniW 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Love this episode!! Alex is such a funny person in his own way. "Sorry for all the snow, i domt know how to ski" got me laughting out loud

  • @benjaminlink1510
    @benjaminlink1510 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Looks like a tough outing all around. Just wanted to give props for the long exposure timelapse at 11:05ish - really incredible. Well done all around guys

  • @donaldryder5534
    @donaldryder5534 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Inspiring to see Alex outside his comfort zone and still positive. Also inspiring to see Cody secure enough to share what heatstroke looks like. A great lesson.

  • @dforgash
    @dforgash 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    RFP. Says it all. True champion, Smart champion. Live to ski another day.

  • @rememberthestoke
    @rememberthestoke 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Imagine you’re climbing Whitney and Alex honnold skis by, what a trippy experience that would be 😂

    • @MKxpl
      @MKxpl 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      right

    • @MKxpl
      @MKxpl 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      but i guess it'd be more weird if you found alex somewhere else like the beach or something hahaha

    • @jagutichsachma
      @jagutichsachma 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@MKxpl or on a road bike in death valley

  • @dpressma
    @dpressma 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Oof. I think every cyclist watching this video immediately knew exactly how that bike segment was going to end. Well done for the self-awareness and calling it a day. You deserve one hell of a meal and some rest - awesome video.

  • @andyjones3874
    @andyjones3874 3 ปีที่แล้ว +103

    Alex is the slowest breather ever. Trying to imagine what it would take to panic that guy.

    • @Harry-qq2ww
      @Harry-qq2ww 3 ปีที่แล้ว +7

      IIRC in the movie they clinically tried to panic him and failed. He lacks the brain part that makes all of us scared.

    • @cre8tvedge
      @cre8tvedge 3 ปีที่แล้ว +12

      He described his panic in Free Solo. It happened on his on sight solo of half dome. Perhaps 200 feet left to the top on near vertical face (no cracks) on tiny edges he was halted at something like 5.11+ moves (think nickle edge wide edges randomly placed). He froze there for minutes and almost grabbed a bolt hanger (loop of metal) but pulled himself together cause that would be 'cheating'. Grab this or die? Alex, I can't say I soloed this if I use the artificial hold (mind you that standard was created under roped climbing). Nope Alex focused his mind and soloed on. He did concede that he needs to rehearse deadly moves before he solos and not do foolish things like that anymore. Brains scans show his brain lights up only 1 or 2% of normal human fear response. The reality of that means that he accesses a lot of energy that would be lost in trying to combat fear. This results in making the climbing less difficult physically.

    • @nomadtrails
      @nomadtrails 3 ปีที่แล้ว +37

      @@Harry-qq2ww The conclusion of the doctors is that he has trained his fear response through repeated exposure, not that he lacks an amygdala... I'm continually astounded by how frequently this line is spread around the comments sections of everything Alex... I guess its just a compelling idea so people choose to go with it, despite it being the opposite of what was actually in the movie.

    • @colleenkennedy1934
      @colleenkennedy1934 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Maybe a friendly game of Chess next to a cozy fire really scares the crap out of him

    • @unropednope4644
      @unropednope4644 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      @@nomadtrails yeah I agree his fear tolerance is more having to do with his constant preparation and exposure than anything else. Saying that, when he was skiing down that steep walled section in this video, he looked absolutely calm and honestly kinda bored. I know if I was up there and didnt know how to ski, I'd be shitting myself.

  • @ryanwalters6120
    @ryanwalters6120 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    This is hilarious. I can't imagine seeing alex up there on skis. Right out of the twilight zone!

  • @Bulldawg1975
    @Bulldawg1975 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Big ups to both of you! Cody, way to persevere but be careful, bro. Great to see Alex outside his comfort zone and still crushing. Stellar ep!