Snowolf

Well, I finally got to shred with Mooz and Snow Gypsy this week. We met at Timberline at about 11:00 AM on Thursday and lapped the pipe and park until 1:30 when we all regrouped at the top of Palmer for a hike up to the Bergshrund Crevasse. It was myself, Mooz, Snow Gypsy and a friend of named Chris. We began the steep climb up from Palmer and made our way over to the White River Glacier to check out the Crevasses that are now opening up and got some good looks into them. After this, we continued the climb to Crater Rock, where we said goodbye to Snow Gypsy who hung out here before riding back to Timberline.

So, Mooz, Chris and I continued our climb up past Devil`s Kitchen then onto the Hog`s Back and up to the Bergshrund which is opening up and revealing it`s eerie inner depths. The day was incredible with bluebird skies above and a vast ocean of middle level clouds from the Cascade Crest west to the Pacific Ocean. We all enjoyed a cold beer and the best sets in the house before enjoying our epic 4,000 vertical foot ride back to Timberline.

The day was unusually cold and we encountered pockets of fresh snow several inches deep in shaded areas from the last storm cycle. By late afternonn, the snow was refreezing in the shade up at this elevation so we had really good, fast conditions to ride in with only some minor sun cupping between the Zig Zag Glacier and Palmer. Since our return was later in the evening, we got to tear up the freshly groomed corduroy on Palmer and Magic Mile all the way down. We all had a beer at the Ram`s Head, then dinner at Charlie`s in Govy afterward.

It was a true pleasure getting to finally ride with Mooz and Snow Gypsy as well as Chris...thanks guys; I truly enjoyed your company!

A few pics of the day:


One of many 50 foot deep crevasses on the White River Glacier


Mt Jefferson and the White River Glacier viewed from above


Devil`s Kitchen and the Hog`s Back with the Summit in the background


On the Hog`s Back taking in the Sulfur Dioxide!


The route up through the Pearly Gates to the summit


At the Bergshrund, looking down


Inside the Bergshrund Crevasse


Beer time at 10,800 feet!


Illumination Rock


View toward Portland from Illumination Rock



To see all of the pics full scale, click here:
Mt. Hood 06-25-2009 pictures from mountains photos on webshots

View as a slideshow:
Slideshow of pictures, photos, and videos, from webshots

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legallyillegal

Have I told you how much I hate you?

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THERE ARE SPECIFIC REASONS AS TO WHY I AM MORE LOCAL THAN YOU

Mooz

I just realized we didn't once gripe about politics on that trip. DAMMIT!

At the very least I could have called you biased or a bad mod or some such crap. Maybe next year!

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Snowolf

Hahaha....when I am riding, all that other stuff gets left at home. It`s all about the stoke of being out there and riding...

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PaoloSmythe

what else can be said other than "them thar fotos be bonkers!!"?

next year, my turn! and we will debate politics and the fuck awful mess Obama has made in between now and then, so leave your musket at home!

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justdust

The punji stick in my eye hurts less than the green demon those pics have spawned in my soul.

Cr0_Reps_Smit

well that looks quite amazing, i might and try and make a trip out there next season if i have the money to do it. looks like alot of fun.

ATOTony76

what gear did you bring up there with you? i know the mt pretty well and want to hike just about up to where you guys stopped at. i was just wondering what stuff you guys carried up with you.

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Snowolf

It`s a non technical climb to the Bergrshrund and now it is a non technical climb to the summit. Beyond the Bergshrund, I highly recommend crampons and an ice axe for self arrest should a fall occur. The avalanche danger this time of year is as close to non existent as you can get and still be on snow. You are on permanent snow fields with no real layers; rather one hugely thick bonded layer. I have not heard of any significant slides this time of year in recent history. All I routinely do is hike up in snowboard boots with the board carried on my Helli pack, I have hand carried a board up many times as well.

During the the winter months, avalanche gear is highly recommended and awareness is critical. Weather is the big killer on Mt. Hood and it winter it is extremely unpredictable. Survival gear is essential for winter trips. This time of year a good short range forecast and basic understanding of Meteorology is all that is needed. I always carry a topo map and compass as well as a small GPS when there is any chance of cloud buildup through the day.

Most cell phones work very well anywhere up there. It is`nt a bad idea to carry a decent higher end Two way radio on the family network band. Ski patrol monitors channel 9. I always carry my 401 MHZ Personal Locater Beacon with GPS tracking that can be activated and NOAA can pinpoint your exact location anywhere on the planet down to a 10 square meter area.

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Snowolf

With the kind of sick air you get judging by your pics, we need to build a backcountry kicker at the edge of one of the crevasses on White River Glacier and get some insane photo shots from below, down inside the crevasse, of you flying over. I have rappelled down into them to the bottom so we could set up a crows nest about 10 feet in and catch some amazing shots. I would do this kind of jump too with the right kicker.....

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