Showing confidence in its drama development slate and draining much of the tension from its upfront presentation, The WB has picked up its second hour-long pilot in a week. The network has ordered 13 episodes of "The Mountain" for the 2004-05 season.

"The Mountain" joins "Jack & Bobby" on The WB's early pick-up roster.

Set in the escapist mountain playground of Boundary Mountain, the series comes from executive producers McG ("The O.C."), Stephanie Savage ("The O.C."), Shaun Cassidy ("American Gothic") and director David Barrett ("Fastlane").

It's no surprise, given the number of "O.C." alums on the production team, that "The Mountain" has a similar multi-generational primetime soap vibe to FOX's recent drama hit.

Oliver Hudson ("Dawson's Creek") plays David Carver Jr., a free spirit who abandoned the family mountain ski resort to pursue his dream of finding success on the motocross circuit. When his father dies and leaves him control of the resort, it stirs up troubles with his business school educated older brother (Anson Mount) and his mother (Barbara Hershey).

"By picking up our second drama series prior to our official upfront presentation, we hope to convey the confidence we feel in the ability of both 'The Mountain' and 'Jack & Bobby,' two outstanding pilots, to reinvigorate The WB's drama portfolio," says The WB's co-CEO Jordan Levin. "'The Mountain' is an extremely accessible series whose talented auspices have reinterpreted the family dynasty serial for a young-adult audience against the backdrop of the extreme-sports lifestyle."

The series also co-stars Tara Thompson, Alana De La Garza ("All My Children"), Johann Urb ("Zoolander"), Elizabeth Bogush ("Titans") and Tommy Dewey. Chad Everett, Mitch Pileggi and Penn Badgley guest star.

The orders for "The Mountain" and "Jack & Bobby" leave The WB with very few scheduling holes for next season. The future isn't looking bright for high profile franchise pilots for "Lost in Space" and "Dark Shadows."