Sylvain Saudan - The first descent Mt. Hood

Asit Rathod retraces his route 38 years later.
www.oregonlive.com/travel/index.ssf/2009...hes_boldly_skie.html

Sylvain Saudan - Mt. Hood Decent in his own words
pistehors.com/news/ski/comments/skier-of-the-impossible/

Sylvain Saudan Video:  Why he skied rocks

nice share. I've read a bit about this before.  Thanks for posting

One correction to the "in his own words" aspect. And one likely error:

1) "The technical director thought he might be interested in a certain Mt Hood.  This 3419 meter volcano, flanked by 8 glaciers and situated just 175km from the Pacific coast and its weather systems, had only been climbed 20 years before."

First ascent in 1857 (1854 - Disputed)

2)  "The summit temperature was –35C"
according to National Climactic Data Center the High and Low for March 3rd, 1971 at Government Camp 34F and 25F respectively. The day prior low was 6 so if it was early morning it is plausible but the text directly states it was late afternoon. I have my doubts the summit temperature was -31F. Maybe that is wind chill?

[EDIT: It appears March 1st and March 3rd are both used. if it was March 1st maybe the temp was that low. And my 2cents should be struck]

Anyways very interesting none the less

Saudan - there is a tourist coulior at Blackcomb that is not named after him. I vaguely recall reading about this descent and for some reason think he (Saudan) might have been out in the PNW doing something else when he decided to hit hood, BICBW. Might be in the linked stories haven't clicked on them yet. ???

Col extreme used to be named after him but the name was changed when he sued them over it. I thought he had been the first to ski this 45 degree slope but perhaps not. It doesn't feel too touristy if skied in firm conditions!

Col extreme used to be named after him but the name was changed when he sued them over it. I thought he had been the first to ski this 45 degree slope but perhaps not. It doesn't feel too touristy if skied in firm conditions!

That is what I meant by a coloir not named after him (anymore). Just calling it tourist because it is well known, easy to find, easy to get to, inbounds but named "Extreme Couloir" and you can buy souvenirs and pins etc about it. Agree not a bad idea to have a whippet when it's frozen conditions.

Lots of history there. They used to have a hard ass gs race down it open only to racers and guys on the freestyle circuit I'm told. You can find some old videos of it. Some of the crashes are epic! Two weeks ago it was so soft and easy I could have carried down a tray of Martini's in one hand and not spilled a drop. Other times I spend more time considering than skiing - and often go somewhere else. I have a friend named Tim Quinn that used to compete on it, and I bet he knows who skied it first. I'll have to check.