Gaper_Jeffy

Looks like this pattern is already starting to repeat itself. From the Seattle Discussion: "AN UPPER LEVEL LOW PRESSURE TROUGH WILL SLOWLY DRIFT ACROSS THE REGION OVER THE HOLIDAY WEEKEND...BRINGING WITH IT SOME CLOUDS AND A CHANCE OF SHOWERS." Maybe the NWS is really staffed by dirt-bag mountaineers who like solitude?

Just make sure you purchase the very popular 2nd edition of the Smith Climbing Guide before it sells out, rumor is it may already be!

Alas, Amar Andalkar already ousted that stash. Soon it will be more popular then the SW Chutes of Adams.

I appreciate all the responses I got here. However, I now believe that when the Cload Cap road is open to "3 Mile Gate" (which is what the USFS calls the gate at Inspiration Point), it is fastest to hike the Wagon Trail instead of the Tilly Jane trail. Regardless we had a great time on Snowdome this past Friday. And to boot, the USFS says the road to Cloud Cap will be open either this weekend or the following! I guess the real question is will a Heli still be faster once Meadows installs a high speed quad to the top of Snowdome?

We should install a Cyber Cafe at Illumination Saddle. That way if anyone has route qualms they can just post here and continue their climb once someone responds.

Why would anyone want to use tele boots?

Holy shizzle! Within a week the Snowdepth has dropped to 61"s. It's currently 71degrees at T-line, which is warmer then it is in downtown PDX! Can one of the moderators please make a sticky post for a Hood Snowpack Memorial Card/Fund?

Oh yeah and if you don't have a helicopter and you don't want to wait a few years for Hood Meadows to put a high speed quad to the top of Snowdome, Cloud Capp road is gated 3 miles past Tilly Jane TH. We hiked the Tilly Jane trail, it was a slog.

Climb: Mt Hood -Snowdome Date of Climb: 6/18/2004 Trip Report: Snowdome freaking rocks right now! Gear Notes: Sasquatch to carry you're gear. Approach Notes: Helicopter to drop you at base.

On the theme of current weather, I always like to read the Seattle NWS forecast discussion as there's always a bit of nerdy humor in it. Today the forecast starts with, "A VERY NICE DAY TODAY WITH SEVERE CLEAR CONDITIONS." Severe clear conditions? Next line, "THE FORECAST IS TRICKER THAN AT FIRST GLANCE."

I am hoping to ski Snowdome on Friday with friends visiting from out of state. Cloud Cap road is currently closed. Up until a few moments ago I thought the fastest way to get to Cloud Cap would be to drive as far up the road as possible then hike the remainder of the road. However I just now called the Hood River USFS, they claim the fastest way to get to Cloud Cap is hiking the Tilly Jane Trail from Cooper Spur ski resort as the road is closed at "3 Mile Gate" which is 6-7 miles from Cloud Cap. Can anyone confirm that hiking the Tilly Jane trail is currently the fatest way to get to Cloud Cap? If we bushwack'd from where Cloud Cap road is closed to Cloud Cap wouldn't that be faster?

ISBN is 1881273393

The measuring site is that pile of snow they plow together in the corner of the parking lot

Last night the snowdepth at Timberline lodge dropped below 100"s for the first time in 7 months. http://www.seawfo.noaa.gov/products/OSOTML

Bachy's sucks your ticket it in then spits it out so it smacks you in the face. Quite novel indeed.

Just got mine, there's loads of great new stuff in it!

I depend on the Timberline Sky Cam to know whether I'm a Gaper for staying home or not. It's been showing a picture of night since Friday. Who can I complain to? http://www.timberlinelodge.com/conditions/kgwpop1.asp

Great TR, thanks! So from where you left your car how long did it take you to hike the remainder of Cloud Cap road? Did you follow the road, or did you hike strait up to avoid the switchbacks?

NOAA's Climate Predication Center latest long-lead seasonal outlook has stated that a "REGION OF ABNORMAL DRYNESS IS LIKELY OVER THE NORTHWEST U.S. BEGINNING OVER WASHINGTON AND OREGON DURING JJA [June, July, August]" From http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/predictions/long_range/fxus05.html

Thank you, lummox, for making this post more applicable to this forum. :-)

Doesn't this thread belong in 'Body Results' or 'Gear Critic'?

The first time I read that sentance I inferred you were running 25 miles in two hours - shesh ;-) Here's one more fun link w/ good photos: http://www.volcanorunning.com/ On a related theme, does anyone who uses the slanted waterbottles, like the UD Access, have trouble with them falling out?

Edit to add: For those that have gotten out this weekend can you post your snowpack stability observations. I'm debating whether to ski South Sister on Monday. NWAC has issued a special statement: 4 PM PDT Friday 28 May 2004 ***INCREASED AVALANCHE DANGER EXPECTED OVER THE HOLIDAY WEEKEND, ESPECIALLY ON HIGHER RIDGES AND CASCADE VOLCANOES ABOVE 6 TO 7000 FEET*** A combination of recent new snowfall, strong ridge top winds and unusually low freezing levels is likely to have deposited significant amounts of new snowfall above about 6 to 7000 feet in the Olympics and near and west of the Cascade crest. More snowfall is expected in showers later Friday afternoon and evening, with slightly and briefly rising freezing levels, further strong winds and light to moderate rain or snow expected mid-late Saturday into Sunday. This should be followed by more showery weather later Sunday, and gradually rising freezing levels, decreasing winds and some partial clearing on Memorial Day. As a result of the current and weekend weather, wet snow or slab avalanches should be likely at higher elevations. Deeper slabs are possible on lee slopes primarily southeast to northeast exposures above about 6 to 7000 feet. The new snow should also be very susceptible to sun effects and daytime warming on most slope aspects. At this time of year significant new snow may quickly become unstable when sun or warming effects can quickly warm, melt and weaken new snow. Weakened snow may release naturally from cliffs, rocks or trees, which may in turn trigger avalanches on slopes below. While initially small, such slides may entrain considerable amounts of wet snow as they descend or trigger isolated slab or wet slab avalanches. We would like to remind climbers and other back country enthusiasts to keep a close watch on snow conditions. Wet snow avalanches should be likely over the weekend. A good way to judge snow stability is to push or try to move snow on test slopes or from the top of slopes without a danger of avalanches from above. Slopes that are relatively stable in the early mornings should not be assumed to be stable later in the day. Other weather conditions are possible through the weekend such as local whiteouts, intermittently strong winds, and blowing snow. This statement will be updated as conditions warrant.

This is just so suck. This time of year I'd prefer high pressure instead, atleast for the weekends. Here's T-line seen at 10am today (the 28th):

How long ago was this? I haven't found the routes bad but then again I'm not that picky. My understanding is when the gym was purchased by ClubSport (previously it was Sportsnation) the staff was significantly upgraded.