An Extremely Scary Experience: Arapahoe Basin 2nd Notch (East Wall)

Рет қаралды 47,621

2 жыл бұрын

Our ranker-in-chief Sam loses his footing as he attempts one of the most dangerous in-bounds entrances in all of North America.
Filmed in late April 2022; conditions were excellent but the snow base was lower than usual.
Arapahoe Basin is a ski area in Colorado just west of the continental divide. See our full mountain review here: www.peakrankings.com/content/...
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Пікірлер: 122

@Kirbey 2 жыл бұрын

you continuing to commentate during a completely uncontrollable fall was amazing and hilarious

@coleross3354 2 жыл бұрын

Having skied this run twice, I’ve found it essential to downclimb backwards into the entrance. Trying to slide in on your butt is kinda what caused this fall

@josecornado38 2 жыл бұрын

I am a willie’s wide guy. A backpack to carry skis also helps

@anthonyb3940 2 жыл бұрын

@@josecornado38 the willy’s wide hike sucks so much worse than the north pole one tho

@rosskantor7098 Жыл бұрын

This makes the steep gullies hike seem worth it

@proverbalizer Жыл бұрын

Exactly, like duh, who tries to climb down a ladder facing forward? And is should definitely be done with your skis strapped to your back and two hands free

@philipmartin3902 4 ай бұрын

definitely downclimb and have a backpack to strap your skis to.

@choski76 2 жыл бұрын

Great job handling that and still presenting it to us.

@lynnmattie78 9 ай бұрын

I've only skied 2nd Notch one time. I loved the run, but when I climbed in there was no rope available. Climbing down that section without skis on was probably the scariest ski moment of my life. I faced into the mountain and climbed down backwards, kicking my toes in and making sure my footing was secure before moving my hands and ski gear down a step. It was a huge relief when I clicked into my skis. I think you did a good job on self arresting without your skis attached.

@nickv3085 4 ай бұрын

He did? lol he slid for days and did hardly anything to self arrest. He also downclimbed forwards…which…is…nothing short of ridiculous

@wazawoo 2 жыл бұрын

That climb back up at about 14k feet must have been exhausting. Props! And yeah glad you didn’t get hurt lol

@bruschi8148 2 жыл бұрын

HAHA love the commentary on the slide down

@Jonesnaltitude 2 жыл бұрын

Props for posting this. Gearing up on the steeps makes my heart race as much as anything. Glad it wound up a laughable event.

@jackv7094 2 жыл бұрын

I just did the 2nd notch last week, it's absolutely as sketchy as it looks. I recommend carrying skis/snowboard on your backpack.

@cub1008 Жыл бұрын

Great work and thank you for sharing. Quite a few turns on one ski. This reminded me of when Lane Meyer conquered K12 on one ski.

@jakoblevantinus9113 5 ай бұрын

One of the best videos in all of Yt. And inspiration for this Easterner's first trip to Colorado last February. Made it within 8 miles of A Basin at Keystone. Maybe I will be ready next year.

@Jargonman457 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing this video! I had a similar experience at snowbird this year and felt so embarrassed. It truly can happen to anyone.

@PeakRankings 2 жыл бұрын

Of course! Wanted to make sure to show the full experience, even if it wasn't the prettiest 😅

@jmvldz 2 жыл бұрын

Glad you’re safe! That experience looks gnarly. A backpack where you could a frame your skis to down climb would have been super helpful. Also, a Voile strap to strap your skis together would also be good!

@PeakRankings 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you! Backpack is certainly coming next time 🥲

@markcoomber8222 Жыл бұрын

@@PeakRankings ALWAYS wear a backpack for essentials, first aid kit, snacks, water.....and to protect you back in the event of a fall.....oh, and to carry skis.

@grant2707 Жыл бұрын

This is one of the best videos I’ve ever seen

@sgolding4588 4 ай бұрын

😆I love this! The play by play as you go in and slide cracks me up! Hilarious! Love it! ... and for non-Basin skiers... it's not that bad... "Incredible Grip Strength"...LOL....love the added drama!

@AccessAlpine 4 ай бұрын

That commentary is gold -- Great skiing once you got the skis back!

@drzagato Жыл бұрын

An authentic content creator. 👍🔝

@squeegeeman2000 2 жыл бұрын

Al’s Blog is so matter of fact about this expert trial/trail. Thanks for the first person perspective. Much better.

@TwinSkiingLiftsRides 2 жыл бұрын

Holy moly! That looks steep!

@BrennenL 2 жыл бұрын

What a video!!!! More like a TRIPLE black!

@speck_the_nomad Жыл бұрын

Literally on the edge of my seat watching this

@A-Shitty-Snowboarder 2 жыл бұрын

Whoa!!! that is insane!!

@BLR653 2 жыл бұрын

Yo bro - you got brass balls man...... pro tip - get yourself a backpack to carry the skis that way you can down climb with both hands and then when ready you take the skis off the pack when you are in position and have a little ledge dug - epic work tho. You got lucky you didn't go aaaaaaaaaaal the way to the bottom.

@chriscronin5243 8 ай бұрын

Awesome commentary the whole time

@frankthetank5328 2 жыл бұрын

I just rode North Pole (the last chute) today. Gnarly stuff didn’t even know this one existed - Thanks for the post, will have to check this out!

@MadTopHat1 Жыл бұрын

You are a baller sir. Commentating that was the best.

@heatherlovell5465 6 ай бұрын

Nice job skiing on one ski in @nd notch, it looked cool.

@filejw862 2 жыл бұрын

Abasin is great place lots of fun but I’m not so sure what he did could be categorized as fun !

@matthewkalb7269 4 ай бұрын

How would you rate the food options/prices in the down climbing section?

@AdmiralXiphos Жыл бұрын

Ive only got in there once but i kept my skis on and sidestepped slowly holding the rope... that way i didnt have to deal with trying to clip in at the end of the rope

@shoham00 2 жыл бұрын

You need a back pack that you can attach your skis to, and you really should be wearing a beacon here. And climbing in that elevation.. way to go! 😁

@averagejojofan8649 2 жыл бұрын

Why? East wall is heavily mitagated and the ski patrol wont open it unless there is perfect conditions

@coleross3354 2 жыл бұрын

Agree completely on the backpack. Avy risk is super low though

@shoham00 2 жыл бұрын

@@averagejojofan8649 Fair enough - I'm only commenting on what I see of the terrain - I haven't been to A basin. You probably know better.

@averagejojofan8649 2 жыл бұрын

@@shoham00 yeah been to the basin a lot and it doesnt open until the end of february

@ladderman1090 2 жыл бұрын

Backpack would definitely help and while a beacon never hurt anyone this is in bounds terrain so it's kinda overkill

@Chris11249 2 жыл бұрын

Wow. Most underated video of the year! This actually was insane lol, not some teenager saying it just to say it

@hugowilliams1988 2 жыл бұрын

Arapahoe has blue runs that are more difficult than the double black diamond in some ski resorts in the east. Their welcome message is "Welcome adult guests to visit us !".

@themichaelbilello Ай бұрын

the narration during your fall was fucking gold

@kevinharwood8109 Жыл бұрын

love the calm commentary while you slide uncontrollably down the chute and lose all your gear. Wouldn't a backpack with your skis be a much better option than carrying your gear tho?

@PeakRankings Жыл бұрын

Probably.

@proverbalizer Жыл бұрын

Definitely, lol

@franka7691 Жыл бұрын

400th Like! Thanks for posting.

@JHSports 2 жыл бұрын

I was so scared when you were falling omg

@TheBourneBlogger Жыл бұрын

When he fell, lost a ski, and said he had to ski on only one ski I thought of Jean Claude van Damme in Bloodsport when he had to fight in the finals without his vision.

@steveharris6916 2 жыл бұрын

Good thing he found his right ski first

@coloradoinjuryfirm9921 2 жыл бұрын

This comes across as satire. Seriously though, if you don't know how to properly downclimb into consequential terrain and have some basic idea how to self arrest - don't go in. Fortunately 2nd notch is a pretty straight shot. Other areas on E wall (or ridge at Bridger or headwaters at B Sky) with a glissade on your ass could result in a nasty tumble over rock.

@proverbalizer Жыл бұрын

So how do you self arrest on a 45 degree slope with no equipment? He's just lucky it was soft snow

@user-um3fx2vk8r 6 ай бұрын

@@proverbalizer well for starters, try not to fall in the first place. a backpack to carry his gear or climbing down backwards and not sliding on his ass wouldve saved him the fall.

@Chops00 Ай бұрын

Seriously. I do 2nd notch several times a season and I cannot comprehend how he messed this up so badly.

@BedstuyDude Жыл бұрын

wow😳

@danb.709 Жыл бұрын

I've heard A basin patrol offer to take first timers up there, in my experience they are excellent at helping and encouraging people to get into gnarly stuff... if they seem ready... Either way should maybe have some sort of partner to do this with, preferably someone that has done it before, this is even more important in the steep gullys area.

@Theodoreaschneider Жыл бұрын

Why did you decide to huck yourself off the rope at the end of the down climb? Also did you have to go into the lodge and change your undies? I did and I’m on the couch.

@Chops00 Ай бұрын

This dude is being dramatic. I do this several times a season. It’s pretty chill. Idk how he managed to mess it up that bad. You just wrap the rope around your wrist once and you can kinda let it slip through while you descent and it is very secure. There’s like 2 technical tight turns at the top choke point then it widens up and is very chill.

@Qnight30 2 жыл бұрын

Sheeesh!!!!!

@MrKidxam 2 жыл бұрын

A Basin is no joke! A serious test for even the best skiers...

@mikekilleen1337 3 ай бұрын

Dude I did this with my skis on… I now realise I could have just taken them off. I nearly shit myself. But oh my god what a line!!

@carloscastenada1 Жыл бұрын

dedicated videographer

@easternyellowjacket276 Жыл бұрын

Seems like this arrangement for entrance is more suited for snowboarders than skiers with that rope. I'm glad you survived that harrowing experience. Not to mention there isn't much oxygen at that elevation unless you are acclimated to it.

@PeakRankings Жыл бұрын

Thanks! Harrowing is right 😅

@ST19859 Жыл бұрын

I was thinking the same thing, On my board I would consider that but never on skis

@JHSports 2 жыл бұрын

Holy shoot that fall was scary 😟

@ytpete2 Жыл бұрын

Holy chute? 😉

@joro8604 6 ай бұрын

Glad you had a camera on. That and Dutch wallet at kicking horse are runs i will never do.

@JHSports 2 жыл бұрын

I was scared from watching

@GrothausWoodworks Жыл бұрын

Mountaineer pro tip everyone; FACE THE ROCK Why would you downclimb different than you would upclimb? Dig those toes in!

@retro_tcb 9 ай бұрын

Thank god your ok, seemed like for a second you just accepted that you might not stop :(

@bigwave_dave8468 3 ай бұрын

Consider a ski sling or pack so you can properly down-clime and maybe an ice axe next time? Nice narration though!

@davidrubin4289 2 жыл бұрын

So, you skied it alone and were carrying your skis with one hand and holding the rope with the other?

@PeakRankings 2 жыл бұрын

Guy at 5:09 was spotting me, but yes to the second part. Would certainly bring a backpack next time

@MotoBuilds 9 ай бұрын

im always up for skiing double blacks and doing hike to terrain....but i would have probably kept going the other way had i seen that rope. LOL i literally said "What the F***" when i saw you look over the edge in the video.

@zaviwaher9536 3 ай бұрын

No expert here but that rope and climbing facing out is how you can get yourself dead. Even with knots rope can be frozen slippery and you have only one hand on it.. get a backpack. Always have 3 point of contact when doing this. 2 feet 1 hand, 2 hands one foot etc

@jimshorts5970 2 жыл бұрын

I’ve only taken the cat walk at the bottom of that. Prob gonna stay that way:)

@kevinhart9014 9 ай бұрын

You should do a video on why bad skiers post ski videos and rank terrain they don't belong on.

@adamr7963 2 жыл бұрын

Sketchy for sure

@christophercarberry Жыл бұрын

You need to go to Europe and ski with a guide at Chamonix, Val d'Isere, La Grave, etc. They would require your skis in a pack, a strap to hold them together, backward belay and possibly a harness to clip into the rope. This is how not to ski Second Notch.

@jusztinnemeti6380 3 ай бұрын

I'm going to go from skiing green runs, to this in one season. The youtube video will cover my death.

@gartheklund2359 10 ай бұрын

No crampons or an ice pick to arrest a fall

@kennethmcclain3383 4 ай бұрын

You’re a good example of who shouldn’t be up there.

@cbetasun Жыл бұрын

why are you skiing on only one ski?

@KevinBauman Жыл бұрын

I've done 2nd Notch a couple of times. One time in knee deep powder, the first day the upper East Wall opened. There was no rope that day. Fortunately there were a few of us, and we could hand our skis down, person to person.

@Perceivedshift 4 ай бұрын

Seems you really should have a backback to secure your polls and skis for this run.

@JB-rt4mx 11 ай бұрын

You need alpine baskets on your poles !!

@LF-Productions Жыл бұрын

That’s one way to claim first tracks 0.O

@wubwobblewubwub 8 ай бұрын

If you’re skiing this stuff at a-basin you shouldn’t be alone.

@ianmacleod2081 7 ай бұрын

I bet not many people can say they skied second notch with one ski..

@lannyeq 2 жыл бұрын

Wow, so glad you're ok. I definitely felt your "Oh crap!" moment.

@PeakRankings 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you! Glad it didn't turn out any worse.

@KN-ko8ez Жыл бұрын

This is extremely narrow and dangerous….let’s send it.

@worrok789 2 жыл бұрын

I need to show this to my fiancé, 'See, it's not that bad if you fall a little, he's fine.' :DD She'll love that /s.

@dwang911 9 ай бұрын

basic self arresting, if you start sliding turn on your belly and face forward, you gain momentum sliding on your butt

@JoelB3 Ай бұрын

Excellent strategy for negotiating this run. This is comical and mind numbingly stupid. Maybe plan it out with any technique at all?

@thepessimisticoptimist9375 Жыл бұрын

a backpack is a must. Obviously. I'm like he's going to do this with skis in one hand. Way to ruin all that good snow by attempting something you weren't prepared for. lol one ski is the move. This guy has zero business being there.

@sethvicious Жыл бұрын

exactly

@BigRick50 2 жыл бұрын

I'll give that one a big miss.

@BigHikeGuy Жыл бұрын

are these runs even fun 😂

@stuyboy 2 жыл бұрын

ski with a partner, no the yt audience doesn't count.

@PeakRankings 2 жыл бұрын

Guy at 5:09 was with me, but maintained his distance for safety reasons

@sixfigureskibum Жыл бұрын

Famous last words...." if you are an expert A basin trust you to get the job done" proceeds to glisade 100 feet

@JohnnieKav 9 ай бұрын

It's more than a 10 minute hike, just saying.

@danthompson4412 Жыл бұрын

No business being on that run tbh… control yourself… know what doesn’t happen with a snowboard!?? Doesn’t fall off and get left uphill lol so much hate for snowboarders

@danb.709 Жыл бұрын

Snowboards have no business being on certain side stepping hikes and traverses. Taking it off is not safe or reasonable some places and if you can't side step hike or push yourself along you get stuck, often in a super sketchy place. It's not a hate thing it's just a limitation of the equipment in a very specific situation. In the pursuit of gnarly terrain snowboarders sometimes do get in skiers' way and hold things up, or even become a liability. Again in a few specific situations before the riding down even starts, snowboarders usually do fine at that. This is why Alta will never allow it, that's their entire mountain. 2nd notch at a basin however is relatively easy to access and is open to everyone, it's the getting down that is tricky. Also skis come off to prevent injury, I'd rather hike up after my gear than go to the hospital, snowboarders don't suffer many leg injuries like skiers do, but they make up for it with way more upper body injuries, so trade offs.

@proverbalizer 3 ай бұрын

funny, the other video I saw a someone doing this same nonsense on this same run, was a snowboarder

@Chops00 Ай бұрын

There is much harder stuff at A-Basin. You should not have been up there…

@AdmiralXiphos Жыл бұрын

lmfao what a fail