PaulO

I see McKenzie Pass opened Monday. Has anyone been on the trail in to the Obsidian Area and/or up the west side of the Middle Sister recently? Curious how deep the snow is on the trail,campsite availability at the meadow, etc. I want to take my grandson and friends in before permits expire. Thx!

I looked and indeed the permits are sold out through August EXCEPT for Tuesday and Wednesday of next week. Just picked up one for Tues

Co-worker reports a friend at the scene texts the news is not good.

http://www.nwac.us/forecast/avalanche/current/zone/13/ Not good.

JD. Nice job on a late summit!

Hopefully you got the headlamp back...was that you who asked me if I had found one?

Did go, left T-line @ 2:30am. Snow was perfect, almost got to hogsback without crampons. Old Chute was firm with (in places) a lot of loose stuff from the rime falling off and the folks kicking things down but not too bad. The approach to the other way to top out and miss the narrow ridge looked sketchy so I went on up the old chute to the ridge. It was fine. A short 6 - 8 foot section a bit narrower but certainly still wide enough. I go a few pictures of it on FB. FB Photo FB Photo FB Photo

Going up tonight solo and taking Karl's advice. Old chute to the bypass (fairly easy chute past the ridge)and miss the worst of both might look at the ridge on the way down.

Used to wallow up the trail in the powder over our heads when I was younger but never saw anyone ice climbing up there.

Under 'scenic' pic's...

Cold, bad wind chill... Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 32. West wind between 11 and 20 mph, with gusts as high as 29 mph. Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 20. West wind around 11 mph. Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 34. West wind around 8 mph. Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 22. http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=46.20573531548462&lon=-121.49333953857422&site=pdt&smap=1&unit=0&lg=en&FcstType=text

No idea but there sure was purdy colors in Jeff Park area a week ago

Yokum 9/6 near end of hiking trail

http://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/index.ssf/2010/09/son_spends_night_on_mount_adams_after_father_dies.html

Even worst at summit: http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=46.20193352482033&lon=-121.4923095703125&site=pdt&smap=1&unit=0&lg=en&FcstType=text