bobinc

I am forwarding info sent to me by an associate in Hood River who has received word the USFS is considering road closures that would affect Bulo Point access. This area is very scenic and has a collection of shorter routes. I first went there back in the late 70s before it was developed; now there are perhaps 20-25 routes with perhaps 1/2 being bolted face climbs. Here is the fowarded message: Attention all you climbers - I have just recieved information regarding proposed watershed restoration on the Mt. Hood Forest. This will involve decommissioning some roads. Included on the list of proposed roads to decommission is the 2730-240 road - this is the main access road to Bulo Point. Bulo Point is a valuable resource for local climbers as well as a very popular summer crag with Portlanders. While it is possible to hike down to the crag from the 2730 road it would be much more desirable for climbers to be able to continue using the road 240 for access. The Forest Service is now seeking public input on this proposal. Comments may pertain to the nature and scope of the environmental, social, and economic issues, and possible alternatives to the proposed action. Electronic maps are available online at: www.fs.fed.us/r6/mthood/projects . The relevant map is the 'Headwaters 15Mile Creek' map. Based on my familiarity with the area, I am going to suggest the following: 1- Keep the north end of the 2730-240 road open to the crag. 2-Decommission the southern half of the road. This would protect a spring area located next to this road. 3- Create a turn-around with some parking near the crag. In the future there could also be a bathroom located here. 4- Improve the north end with re-grading and new gravel. Please send written comments before April 21 to: Michelle Lombardo Mt. Hood National Forest, Aquatic Restoration Team Leader 16400 Champion Way Sandy, OR 97055 FAX: (503)668-1413 E-Mail: comments-pacificnorthwest-mthood@fs.fed.us Questions: Michelle Lombardo (503)668-1796 or www.mlombardo@fs.fed.us Public input is very important to this process!!! Please forward this to your climbing friends! Thanks for your help. Kay Kucera

It'll be later than that. You'll need a snowmobile before late June, I'd expect. Also, the Bird Creek Meadows roads may not be open until even later.

Looking for this issue. (Seems to have evaporated from my collection somehow.) Will pay up to $10 plus shipping. Thanks.

2nd vote for Shuk; looking up toward Hell's Highway

Terrible news. Ran into Jim last summer in The Menagerie; thanked him for all he'd done up there to develop it. We talked about climbing together but sadly that won't happen, now. I wish his family and good friends the best in this difficult time.

thinking of heading out there tomorrow. Anyone hear of an update on the trail status? It's not essential to get down via the trail but jsut wondering where the slide occurred.

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Glad it more or less worked out, Kings. ONe question: apparently the road to the Elk Cove TH is okay; I had heard the Laurence Lake Road had a washout. But I would be glad to be proven wrong... you guys came out at Elk Cove and not Vista Ridge, correct?

The problem is at Eliot Creek on the NE side. That section of trail (starting approx 2 miles W of Cloud Cap) had already been re- routed up onto the toe of the glacier several years ago. Last Nov., that work around also got washed out. You can make it up and around by going way up onto the west moraine above Eliot, going across, and then down the east moraine. Depending on how long your trip is, that may not be the greatest option so you could come out at Vista Ridge (but need to work out the shuttle and also use the Lost Lake approach vs the Tony Creek approach).

Off White got Double Dip. Second JT is Loose Lady.

I'll take another shot at the JT guess: Heart and Sole? It's been awhile and I don't recall a no hands rest but the flake to the left looks familiar.

I cheated and used Mozilla Firefox and have no problems with the "enlarge print" version...

This looks great; succinct yet not too condensed. Thanks for the effort, Colin. There is a font problem on page 1 of the "hardware" section.

Thanks, man.

Are 2 ropes needed? Just trying to figure out how much "conditioning" we're in for... Projected dates of being there are in the range of Aug 24-26 so maybe we'll stumbled into others who decide to bring only one rope. (We got lucky this way on the G. Teton.) TIA for info.

This is the Leaning Tower (beer-only) ascent. Said to be apochryphal, but still a great read: http://www.supertopo.com/climbing/thread.html?topic_id=9229

Just there yesterday-- no one at the pull out except... a YNP employee saying they had closed that side for SAR chopper operations. Damn! Did Crescent Arch instead which is very enjoyable and pretty stiff for the grade (old school 5.9).

I'm working on T-band series now. It helps. I have a fair amt of scar tissue on the right side from repeated injuries 20 or so yrs ago (mostly from Ultimate Frisbee). The degree of impingement is very movement-specific. I just rowed an 18 ft boat through the Grand Canyon and did fine but certain types of climbing motion (especially arm extended over head) create trouble. I have high hopes for the bands.

As of Monday, the road to Bird Creek Meadows wasn't yet open. Snow level isn't extreme this year so that road may open before July 4. I am unsure of the rules on access there because the road is in the Yakama Reservation, but call Trout Lake Ranger Station in a few days to see if there is an update. Of course you can also access the route from Cold Spring TH.

Yes-- also true in Colorado Rockies in many cases. Better to avoid using the rope, if possible.

I recall this route. Mostly I recall lots of 3rd and 4th class with no protection but maybe we were there after an earthquake since I didn't note as much loose rock. We did find a piece of plywood with roofing nails which must have served as a primitive crampon... The technical crux as I recall was descending. There was a moat and short snow slope with bad run out and we had nothing resembling an ice axe. Once we committed to the slope, we had goats watching and kicking down rocks. Good times.

Bummer on the rental car. If you end up starting too far north on the maze of roads there and eventually give up and park (meaning perhaps a 1/2 mile of add'l walking), the roads seem to be better (or at least adequate). Great pix of IW; that route has always intrigued on paper.

Stichter Quits

Pic 1: Echo Rock Pic 2: Chimney Rock, West Face: Damper/Pinched Rib

I can't justify that money being spent (especially on that road). That was my point. Some roads should never have been built, or having been built, should be removed from non-human powered access.