toddpi314

So, after living in texas for 24 years, i am making the big move to the cascades. I have been up and down Hood 3 times solo, twice in awful, awful weather; of course, i have had to fly 2000 miles to get there. I have noticed that mountaineering focuses more on endurance than technique, and am looking to get into ice climbing in the Oregon area. Anyone game for teaching a newbie? (yes, i can supply my own gear and possibly red bull for the team)

i was on top of hood the last week of november in '06. 17 gruling hours of white-out, extreme winds, and very scary chunks of ice blowing down through the gates. it was my first alpine climb, solo. I am 24, and saved and trained for 6 months, in yes... Dallas Texas; i have dreamed about being on a moutain since i was a kid. mount hood was my first time above 9,000 while not in an aircraft. footsteps were filling up with snow faster than i could re-trace, as the course upwards often is not straight. the topo and compass became essential. the wind nearly blew me off me feet a few times above 10,000 ft. i did not stand while on the summit ridge, but made it, and then spent 4 hours of very, very slow glissading to the top of palmer. the point is, a compass, topographical map, and flash-light (and standard mountaineering gear) lead me up and down without more than 8 feet of visibility. Was there point to achieve the summit in order to reach the south face? ...which is pretty much the easiest route within 5,000 miles. why did they get lost? we are talking experienced climbers here. Has anyone and experience on the north face route? is the grade to high to try to ascend in rough weather? was the south face their only hope?

The word is the bergshrund is opened 10 inches! I will be in the Climber's Cave around 11:00 pm May 24th if anyone wants to join me... otherwise, I am sure I will see a good 50 of you at the top friday morning!

I am a 23 year old climber from Fort Worth Texas. My sis just had the families first grandchild and I could think of no better way to celebrate than to climb mount hood! May 24th, 11:00 pm. This is my second ascent. My first was last november via the south face route, about 2 weeks before the climbers were lost on hood. There was a blizzard, and I had a blast. The bergshrund was non-existent at the time; that is my real worry. anyone game?