The Cascade Kid Posted January 4, 2013 Share Posted January 4, 2013 Trip: Mt Hood - Pearly Gates Left Date: 1/3/2013 Trip Report: Took a job up the Pearly Gates yesterday with a first-timer. I had been warned that snow conditions up high were "unconsolidated wallow-sugar". Though this was true is isolated locations, the route was overall in good condition. Up to the Hog's back, the snow surface was supportable sastrugi (on skis) which made for easy travel. The bergschrund is filled in and barely visible. We crossed the schrund on the hogsback and traversed over a rime bulge into the pearlies. The rightward option looked very chandeliered in that rime-ice kind of way so I opted for left. Some seriously western wallowing was required for 10-15' to reach the 12-15' of good 50 degree ice. The ice gradually turned over into easily booted snow to the summit. Descent down the old chute was spicy. For now, traversing further west than usual along the summit ridge will yield an easier descent than the steep rime stemming which was required on the usual chute. Above the hog'sback, the snow is 1-1.5' of unconsolidated snow which would be great skiing. Below, the snow is intermittently supportable wind board with some wind transported creaminess. See also a photo of current conditions on the Reid Glacier/Headwall/YR. Entering the Pearlies adjacent to the schrund Exiting the ice Top of Pearly Gates Left Traversing the Summit Ridge Reid Conditions Gear Notes: 7 mm cord, 1 screw, 1 picket. Placed a good screw and a shitty picket. Neither was necessary. Approach Notes: Skis. Fast and easy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Winter Posted January 4, 2013 Share Posted January 4, 2013 Hey, nice to meet you guys at the Hogsback. What a great day on the mountain. After y'all left, I wallowed to the summit ridge and topped out to 30-40 mph winds with weather moving in. The turns down the old chute were pretty darn nice - mostly consolidated and carvable wind affected snow with limited penetration. Depending on the weather, the upper mountain might be in pretty good ski condition this weekend. Nice photos, btw. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FireTrailPCT Posted January 21, 2013 Share Posted January 21, 2013 Great photos, especially "Exiting the ice". Sounds like you had a good climb. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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