And those descents are in addition to three other Grand descents on routes that had already been skied. I end up here working, and when I have a free day and the conditions are good, I go up and have a look. It's the highest point around, the technical challenges are interesting, there's ice, maybe a touch of rock, changing conditions, and so many different routes. By combining a high level of alpine climbing with skiing, Newcomb is truly a modern-day ski mountaineering pioneer. It depends on how creative you are.
Some routes have less actual skiing than others and more down-climbing and rappelling.
Born and raised in Jackson Hole, Newcomb credits his father, Rod, founder of the American Avalanche Institute and Exum guide for 35 years, with showing him at an early age what's possible in the mountains. Mark was stopped at a difficult, branchless section. Rather than panic, his father suggested he come down and get a rope, a sling and a carabiner and then try the tricky section again. Mark went back up and girth-hitched the last branch while Rod gave him a hip belay from below. That was the beginning.