Frikadeller

I took a hike up the supposed "closed" trail a few weeks ago, and the trail is fine for hiking. A few blow downs here and there, and lots of black terrain. The burn area ends just as you reach the Tilly Jane A frame cabin. From there on, the trail is as usual. Unknown what the conditions are as of now higher up the elliot, since I only hiked up the Cooper Spur... I would go with Ivan's advise.

This looks like some really shitty ski conditions...

I got a headhunter call from one of the windfarms in eastern Oregon because they where looking for mechanics, and I am a HVAC Mechanic. Umm.... Yeah, they where offering $15 an hour... No thanks. that's $17 less an hour than I am making now.

That kind of tactic usually only last until the second jab, from there on, I chain smoke Camels and drink beer while laughing at the poles shoved up you ass!

Tilly Jane ski trail. It's a little burned, a couple of blow down trees, but was very easily navigated last weekend. Dunno how much snow is on the trail after this weeks rain storm, but I'll bet it's minimal, considering that I could still see bare dirt/rocks on Barrett spur from Portland.

What kind of trail breaking services are you going to provide when the trail looks like this?

I have a Garmin that has the built in two way radio. It's OK, and pick up the satelites most of the time, but suffers terribly under dense tree cover. I never use the two way radio part, so that was a waste of money. I would not reccomend it because of that, and because it is pretty heavy and bulky compared to other models that out these days.

In this picture, it looks like you're climbing with a G-String and a harness..... Say it ain't so?

That only works when you're really familiar with the mountain.

The trail is easy access. The blow-down factor is pretty minimal. No excuses for access to the NF. There is a fully stocked load of fire holtz at the TJ cabin too!! BTW, the gate is locked closed for cloud cap road.

Well, among all this trash talk about fires and restricted access to the NF of hood, I felt the need to travel up there my self this Saturday. Well, me and my partner in crime arrived late and with minor hangovers at the TJ ski trail around 10 this morning. Hmmm... There where already five cars in the parking area... Heading up the trail, it's obvious that people are hiking the trail regardless of restrictions. There are no notices or signs at the TH stating any kind of restriction as far as access is concerned. The burn area is impressive.. The amount of burned area is actually pretty awesome, and most if not all of the scrub is gone. This year is going to open up some really fun new ski lines below the Tilly Jane area. The FS has strewn hay and straw all over the hills, apparently in an effort to curtial erosion. All in all, a nice day for a hike...

The Army is no longer in "training mode"....

Ya know, Joe, There are bigger problems with the government... Ya know, as a plumber, you know the pain we both have of having to place a P-trap after 5 feet of any indirect waste arm. WTF!!! What a joke!! The inspectors around here require it! Why? The floor sink has it's own P-trap... This is just stupid that I have to trap an indirect waste because it's over 5' long when there is a trap in the receptor fixture.... Can you fix this? Thanks! Frikadeller-the-Plumber....

Do nails harm trees?

Are you looking to learn Oxy-Ace welding? I have a set up, but to be honest, there are better ways to weld now a days than the venerable Oxy-Ace set up... (Although, I weld every day with my oxy-ace set up, so what can I say) What are you looking to weld up? Steel, brass, what? BTW, what kind of set up are you buying?

I have never quite seen the Eliot like that... Usually, I am snowboarding down from snowdome... That sure looks like a tasty adventure.... Perhaps next year I can convince someone to trip out in that mess ...

And here I thought it was class I or II. It all depends on how you space the commas...

Too much Lars Larson in your diet...

PM sent...

I have used, and still use a pair of "backcountry" waxless skis for just touring stuff.. Mine are mounted with a 3 pin binding though. I don't see why you could not mount some funky AT binding instead, as long as those skinny skis will allow it. Just make sure your kick wax is not too excessive, and you'll be fine.

Mainly the packs (in the past) and the fact that their hardshell clothing fits like garbage bags. Huh... I have two Jackets by MH (One Fleece, and one hardshell) and they fit me great. I have a normal sized body, and have to yet get the "garbage bag fit", but I guess it depends on the person. I did buy these jackets pre Columbia takeover/buy out, so perhaps their stuff is shit now a days.

I wish that I had money like Hugh, to take vacations in SA in the summer... In the mean time, I snowboard local crap.

Trip: Mt. Hood - ZigZag Glacier Date: 9/13/2008 Trip Report: I came home from work on Friday night to find my wife working the BBQ and a case of beer in the fridge! Rad! I drank way too many beers. Ate some good Vegetarian BBQ! I woke up on Saturday morning around 1030 AM, and hungover.... Damn it!! I was supposed to go snowboarding.... So I did anyways. So I packed my crap, and arrived at Timberline around 1PM.... I started hiking down the PCT, snowboard and all on my back, and entertained all the strange questions I usually get from the hikers on the trail. Turned north on trail 798, and started my hike up the hill. Follow that up even further, and you get to the first snow "finger"... At this point I think the Hangover is losing it's grasp on me, but I could be wrong. Until you get to scree heaven.... I took a break here, and while eating a banana, some tourists that rode up on the Magic Mile Sky Ride confronted me. They said they where out of water. WTF, why would you hike up to 8200' in bone dry weather and not bring water? Oh yeah, that's right, they rode a lift... I gave them some water, leaving me 16oz. less water to fend for my self. I am just a bucket of charity sometimes, and I don't know why. Any ways, onwards I go, climbing over scree hill after scree hill, until I finally find my objective! Ahhh... Finally, what I came to attack. But, it's time to eat some lunch and take a break. Anyhow, no irritants here, and I took a good hour just being lazy, and enjoying the mountains. Then I strapped up the board, and started my ride down. Sorry kids, I forgot to take pictues, but I can say this: The damn snow actually has got worse from last week I was up here. The runnels are deeper, and the suncups are more vigilant than ever. I think I ate shit four or five times on the way down. Way different from last week. I ended up in the little Zig Zag canyon drainage, which was in much better shape last week. I had to play scree idiot for most of it, and since I forgot my gaitors, I had boots filled with Mt. Hood sand. Fantastic. I love that kind of stuff. I eventually found a line out of the canyon, which had me relieved. Seeing huge rocks still levitated by melting snow did not give me a huge set of confidence about the stability of the canyon walls... On my way out.. Oh well, I found the PCT once again, and made my way back to the parking lot. The mountain in it's state as of yesterday. Skål!!! Gear Notes: Red Bull, Camel Lights, and Gatorade. Approach Notes: Baffle PCT thru hikers when you tell them you are hiking 10 miles in ski boots...

Thats the best suggestion yet..