– The Backcountry Ski Touring Blog
  • Avalanches
  • Gear Reviews
    • Ski Reviews
    • Boot Reviews
    • Binding Reviews
    • Snowboard Splitboard
    • Book Reviews
    • Avalanche Beacon Reviews
    • Airbag Backpacks
    • Backcountry Electronics
    • Misc Gear Reviews
  • Podcast
  • Tips & Tricks
    • Ski Touring Basics
    • Boot Fitting
    • Fitness & Health
    • Gear Mods
  • Trip Reports
    • Fourteeners
    • Huts – Cabins – Lodges
    • Denali McKinley
    • 8,000 Meter Skiing
  • Stories
    • History
    • Humor
    • Land Use Issues
    • Evergreen Ski Touring
    • Poetry
  • Resources
    • All Posts Listed
    • 100 Recent Comments
    • Backcountry Skiing & Ski Touring Webcams
    • Ski Weights Comparison
    • Archives of WildSnow.com
    • Authors Page
    • Ski Touring Bindings
      • Trab TR2 Index and FAQ
      • Salomon Guardian & Tracker
      • Naxo Backcountry Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Silvretta Pure Backcountry Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Marker F10-12 Duke Baron
      • G3 Onyx Ski Binding FAQ
      • G3 ION Ski Touring Binding
      • Fritschi Backcountry Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Fritschi Diamir Frame Bindings Mount DIY
      • Fritschi Diamir Bindings FAQ
      • Fritschi Tecton FAQ
      • Atomic Salomon Backland MTN
      • Dynafit Tri-Step Binding 2001-2003
      • Naxo randonnee alpine touring AT ski binding FAQ
      • Dynafit Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Dynafit Binding Frequently Asked Questions FAQ
      • Dynafit Beast 16 FAQ Review 1
      • Dynafit Beast 16 FAQ Page Two
    • History
      • Ski Touring Binding Museum
      • Trooper Traverse Intro & Index
      • Randonnee Ski Touring “AT” ski gear — What is Hip?
      • Chronology
    • Backcountry Skiing Core Glossary
    • Gear Review Policy & Disclosures

– The Backcountry Ski Touring Blog

Banner
  • Avalanches
  • Gear Reviews
    • Ski Reviews
    • Boot Reviews
    • Binding Reviews
    • Snowboard Splitboard
    • Book Reviews
    • Avalanche Beacon Reviews
    • Airbag Backpacks
    • Backcountry Electronics
    • Misc Gear Reviews
  • Podcast
  • Tips & Tricks
    • Ski Touring Basics
    • Boot Fitting
    • Fitness & Health
    • Gear Mods
  • Trip Reports
    • Fourteeners
    • Huts – Cabins – Lodges
    • Denali McKinley
    • 8,000 Meter Skiing
  • Stories
    • History
    • Humor
    • Land Use Issues
    • Evergreen Ski Touring
    • Poetry
  • Resources
    • All Posts Listed
    • 100 Recent Comments
    • Backcountry Skiing & Ski Touring Webcams
    • Ski Weights Comparison
    • Archives of WildSnow.com
    • Authors Page
    • Ski Touring Bindings
      • Trab TR2 Index and FAQ
      • Salomon Guardian & Tracker
      • Naxo Backcountry Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Silvretta Pure Backcountry Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Marker F10-12 Duke Baron
      • G3 Onyx Ski Binding FAQ
      • G3 ION Ski Touring Binding
      • Fritschi Backcountry Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Fritschi Diamir Frame Bindings Mount DIY
      • Fritschi Diamir Bindings FAQ
      • Fritschi Tecton FAQ
      • Atomic Salomon Backland MTN
      • Dynafit Tri-Step Binding 2001-2003
      • Naxo randonnee alpine touring AT ski binding FAQ
      • Dynafit Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Dynafit Binding Frequently Asked Questions FAQ
      • Dynafit Beast 16 FAQ Review 1
      • Dynafit Beast 16 FAQ Page Two
    • History
      • Ski Touring Binding Museum
      • Trooper Traverse Intro & Index
      • Randonnee Ski Touring “AT” ski gear — What is Hip?
      • Chronology
    • Backcountry Skiing Core Glossary
    • Gear Review Policy & Disclosures
   

Alaska Road Trip – Day 5 – Mount Hood

by Caleb Wray May 21, 2010
written by Caleb Wray May 21, 2010

Intro by Lou, story in captions by Caleb:

Some mountains are like a comfy pair of worn-in shoes. They seem to slip around you in a warm hug, almost as if the very fabric of the peak has been molded for your body the way a good pair of insoles molds to your feet.

In past years, Mount Hood has been one such comfy place for me. I’ve hit the rime caked volcano a number of times in consistently good weather, and made sure to ensconce myself in the Timberline Lodge after and even before each ascent our tour. Indeed, my wife and I even spent our honeymoon there. We skied corn in t-shirts, hung out at the swimming pool like Greek shipping magnates on the Med, and scourged the Cascade Dining Room desert cart like barbarians sacking Rome.

lou_weathering

Lou didn't think it was all that bad.

For the WildSnow road crew, such coddling was not to be. We headed up from Shasta with our eyes glued to our computer screens, watching a huge cyclonic rotate in off the Pacific. It appeared we could get a window in the morning, before the first arm of the storm slapped Hood like a major league batter swatting practice shots. Yep, the window opened for a moment, then slammed shut. Good Denali practice? You bet. Fun? Yes. A summit? Dang.

jefferson_from_hood

The views of Mt. Jefferson from the Timberline Lodge made us wonder if we should have headed there instead.

empty_hood_lot

Hmm..Empty lot, guess the locals know better. Let's hope we're not doing something stupid -- proceed with caution.

closed_lift

The Palmer lift is supposed to open at 8am, but poor weather and visibility delayed things. Luckily a patroller let us sneak on at 9:30am since we were just climbing. Yeah, we were cheating by riding the lifts, but our time is limited due to a little thing coming up called the Alcan Highway.

louie_navigating_up

The weather at the top of the lift was, well, terrible. Total white out. This was a teaching moment. Louie, you navigate.

into_the_storm

Louie lead us on a steady course, old school style, map and compass. Mountaineering 101: Don't climb into deteriorating weather. So we figured a bit of practice with compass and GPS would be ok, but we'd absolutely not push the route. Sure, it's not that far to the summit of Hood if the weather is good and you're fit, but it's amazing how much longer a route can feel when you're navigating by compass inside the 'egg,' thinking you could go off route into a volcanic hole or perhaps a crevasse.

jordan_likes_it

Jordan thought there was going to be a party up top.

big_cloudbank

One of the few breaks between storm pulses offered phenomenal views.

caleb_at_work

Me, hard at work.

louie_checking_the_sky

Louie looking toward the sky hoping that it would hold for just another hour.

eerie_light

Unfortunately, it didn't hold for more than a couple of minutes. Soon we found ourselves in the eerie light of a Pacific storm.

snow_wall_waiting

So we dug a snow wall just below the Hogsback and waited, and waited, and waited for just a small break in the clouds.

poor_visibility

Finally we capitulated and ripped skins before visibility was too poor to see our ski tips.

louie_navigating_down

Louie did great with the compass, but how about with the GPS?

louie_checking_the_GPS

Okay, he did great with the GPS as well, but what about if we up the intensity of the storm? Say 40mph winds, a dash of side ways falling ice and snow, a generous dose of riming -- and how about an occasional vertigo moment.

wet_team

You pass Louie! We made it down without a hitch, except being soaked from head to toe.

soaked_parking_lot

The gear down was a polar opposite of the gear up from a conditions standpoint.

reward_beer

The reward.

downed_tree

Apparently, this storm did a little damage at lower elevations as well. This tree blocked traffic and shut down power in Welches, OR for most of the night.

17 comments
0
FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
previous post
Eagle Lake Ice Meets the BD Sabretooth Crampon
next post
Getting the Wheels Rolling on Denali

17 comments

Annah May 21, 2010 - 11:12 am

Looks like you guys had fun despite the weather. What was the snow like on the way down?

Thanks for blogging… I follow you daily!

Anton May 21, 2010 - 11:28 am

I had a go at Hood two weeks ago during a similar storm. We waited for three days for a weather window with no luck. On the third day, we pushed through the storm at 1am and the weather opened up on the hogsback for just long enough to summit!

Great navigating practice, it looks like everyone is ready for Denali weather. (I also follow daily).

Jordan May 21, 2010 - 12:26 pm

Hey Annah,
I think the snow would best be described as invisible. It felt good I guess.
J

Rob Wales May 21, 2010 - 12:27 pm

Looks like Louie has a pair of Sidestashes…any comments as to this ski vs. the Coomback which I chose instead(have loved the Coomback and the Coomba before)? I almost went for the Sidestash but wasn’t sure I’d like the metal layer and heavier weight. Thanks- love the site and wish you well on your adventure!

Rob Wales May 21, 2010 - 12:33 pm

Never mind…looks like they are Waybacks.

Kyle May 21, 2010 - 12:45 pm

Are you guys gonna hit hit up Stewart BC / Hyder AK on the way up. Usually good amounts of snow there well into july.

JIm May 21, 2010 - 2:38 pm

Typical Oregon weather. Ugh! Keep up the great posts. Really fun following along. Hope you get nice weather in AK.

Joe May 21, 2010 - 2:56 pm

Looking good guys, now if only you can get all that didn’t-get-the-summit stuff over with by the time Colby, Ty and I show up 😆

Hope you find some better weather asap!

doug May 21, 2010 - 8:02 pm

great pix and text, gonna follow you all the way, go for it!

Tom May 21, 2010 - 11:34 pm

Loving the pics.

Steve May 22, 2010 - 12:13 am

What chest pack are you using to carry your SLR camera?

Caleb May 22, 2010 - 9:32 am

Steve,

The bag is a Tamrac Velocity 5x, stripped down as much as possible. It’s not the greatest solution for carrying a DSLR in a mountain environment, but it works fairly well given that I usually carry 1 or 2 extra lenses.

joseph szasz May 22, 2010 - 11:33 am

awesone lou!! i feel the same way about mt hood. first summiti climbed with rented gear. classic navigation practice. how many people each year walk or ski of mississippi head? and i dont think ive ever seen the lot that empty!

Jake May 22, 2010 - 1:31 pm

As an Oregon native (first 18 years) and a Colorado transplant (past 19 years) Mt. Hood’s modest 11,000+ summit humbles me every time I go up there. As a child I watched the helicopters transport frozen high school kids from Timberline to the university hostpital above my house. In a strange way the experience made me want to become an mountaineer. It looks like you guys passed the test. Many people have under estimated Mt. Hood. Nice work.

Brittany May 22, 2010 - 1:57 pm

Love it! Great report guys, and way to get after it, safely, despite the poor weather!

Dale Persing May 23, 2010 - 4:45 am

Some stellar pics despite, or maybe because of, that wx. Nice work.

Dale

Air Force One May 25, 2010 - 2:42 am

It is a wonderful experience. I am really enjoy it. The nature scenery is very beautiful.

Comments are closed.

Recent Comments

  • A. K. Mattix on The Gothic Mountain Tour: Not Just a Training Race
  • Jim Milstein on The Gothic Mountain Tour: Not Just a Training Race
  • Eric Steig on Light(ish) & Robust — 2021/22 Fischer Transalp First Look
  • phillip gallagher on Using the Avalanche Forecast for Trip Planning
  • Slug Spud on The Gothic Mountain Tour: Not Just a Training Race

Gear Reviews

  • Light(ish) & Robust — 2021/22 Fischer Transalp First Look

    February 18, 2021
  • Skis From the Future — 2021/22 Is All About the Freeride

    February 11, 2021
  • An Education on the Ephemeral Glide — Bases, Wax and DPS Phantom

    February 4, 2021

Trip Reports

  • Making Turns and Skintracks at Bluebird Backcountry

    February 24, 2021
  • Celebrating the Low Danger, Low Angle Ski Tour

    February 16, 2021
  • Cooke City in Photos — Montana Trip Report

    January 29, 2021

Totally Deep Podcast

  • Drinking Beer with the Bench Girls — Totally Deep Podcast 84

    February 12, 2021
  • Griffin Post Stays Home — Totally Deep Podcast 83

    January 10, 2021
  • Risky Business — Zahan Billimoria on Solving for Z

    December 14, 2020

Tips & Tricks

  • Celebrating the Low Danger, Low Angle Ski Tour

    February 16, 2021
  • Warm Toes for Cold Smoke — Tips To Keep Your Feet Toasty

    February 8, 2021
  • The Five Pillars of Skintrack Wisdom

    December 17, 2020

Ski Touring Stories

  • Envisioning a Friendly, Busier Backcountry — Shaun Deutschlander Q&A

    January 18, 2021
  • Giving Myself the Gift of Backcountry

    January 15, 2021
  • Six Who Dared — Elk Mountains Traverse & Richard Compton Tribute

    January 7, 2021

Newsletter Sign-Up

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • About Lou Dawson
  • Authors Page
  • About
  • Contact
  • Copyright & Legal
  • Website Security

@2020 - All Rights Reserved. Designed and Developed by WildSnow


Back To Top

Read alsox

Using the Avalanche Forecast for Trip...

March 5, 2021

The Gothic Mountain Tour: Not Just...

March 3, 2021

How Has Covid Influenced Backcountry Skiing?

March 2, 2021