Displaced Native

Keep in mind that the areas you are applying to are primo places that TONS of outdoorsy folks want to live in. Competition will be tough and in a down economy there is not much moving around. You may have to settle for something in the Big City (aka: Seattle or Portland) to build up your experience and become more competitive, then move into your dream gig down the road a ways. Think of it like climbing mountains...we all know you shouldn't try to summit K2 for your first climb. Gotta work up to it.

Well.....I was there yesterday. Are we maybe talking about two different access points? Steve

Took a little drive up the road today...made it to mile post 47, which is just past the intersection with FS 8031. There are a few trees down along the road, some chainsaw work is evident, one small tree had to drive over. Got nowhere close to the BFT that fell late fall last year, so can't comment on that. Snow blocked further access as I don't have extra ground clearance, only have AWD instead of full 4WD, and no chains. Someone with a larger truck may make it further, but still not close to trail head. Steve

your tauntaun had better be at least avy 1 certified. We don't need no damn alien ice planet dwelling critter tripping off slides. For the love of all south side climbers on all mountains, in all countries, please leash your tauntaun.

Did an avy I course a couple of months ago...turns out the Iphone sets off digital receivers like the Tracker II. Cool if you're buried and the search party is running digital receivers...pisser if you're a searcher, switched over to "search" mode and your team mates keeping "finding" you instead of the victim. Moral? Turn off your cell phone when in search mode..just one more thing to remember and do when things really go sideways steve

perhaps a tail rope and a buddy would make that sled pulling a little easier but that last long side hill on the final approach would suck ass.

Assuming weather and avy conditions are within your comfort range, there will be a well established boot pack trail up the hogsback, then continuing up to the left will be the Mazama's route and such. Cruise around the trip report link on this website and you'll find plenty of info Steve

sledneck - redneck on a snowmobile

Hood River County Sheriff is a member of the Hood River Crag Rats, the north side search/rescue team. They were called on to help look for the guys before Xmas and the other HIGH profile case was with Jerry Cook's crew back in 2006, who were lost on the North side. I don't know if a local search has been going on, or just taking advantage of the clear weather and low snow pack to go for a looksee...bit of training, bit of looking around for lost souls, and a bit of team building. If the Tilly Jane Lot was full, probably a good bet that a bunch of Crag Rats were out and about. The Cooper Spur ski area is well marked from Hwy 35...the turn off is called Cloud Cap Road. Drive to the gate, park in the obvious parking area. The trail is obvious, expecially since it hasn't snowed for years. (it seems). Hike up to the cabin, just keep working up hill. You will get above tree line and all is obvious. Have fun.

I remember climbing Seneca Rocks in West By God back in the day. We were a pitch up Solar Direct and I was just hanging out belaying, looking over at another pair running up some hardman route. The belayer was looking at me, I was looking at them...then their 2 foot wide, 10 foot long ledge cut loose off the side of the wall and left them hanging off their own belay tie ins. It's pretty crazy watching things go geological. I recall pulling a microwave size block loose at the Gunks in the late 90's as well. My sister in law was on belay below me...somehow the balance point was just right and I was able to keep it on the ledge. Would have made a really red stain when it crushed her into the dirt

Another vote for convertible pants. I wear gaitors, zip off pants, carry synthetic long johns and a pair of hard shell pants in case things go sideways. Not too expensive and chances are you already have the set up buried in your dresser somewhere.

Because the biting wind, cold exposure, endless vistas remind me that I am not some sheep in the pasture being fed at the whim of The Man.

Was skiing Timberline yesterday (1-28) and the boot pack up to the Hogsback and around to the left of Hogs was visible from the parking lot of the lodge. Blind guy with no guide could have found his way yesterday

When is the last time you climbed the Hogsback? For the past few years the Hogsback hasn't lead straight up the gates and people have reported a semi technical ice ledge in The Gates...last time I climbed it was late May 2009 and almost all folks were avoiding The Gates and headed up the Old Mazama Route

I didn't know what to expect on my first Hood climb last spring. I learned a couple of things... Next time I climb I will try everything in my power to take up my skis as walking down that mountain is pretty silly. It's very skiable terrain assuming snow conditions aren't heinous. You going with a group may prevent you from such a luxury but if it's an option and you have the skills...the terrain from Hogsback down is pretty chill. Take music...it's a long walk. Something to distract you from your breathing will be good. If you are in decent cardiovascular shape and can just put one foot in front of the other, you're already 96.73% of the way there. Getting some beta on ice ax/crampon use is good, including practicing self arrest. Tons more to ramble about but you have a bit of time before you climb. I'm sure you'll ask more questions as you go along. Steve

I am not that hot of skier, my "palate" is fairly unrefined. I have a pair of older K2 Work Stinx mounted on tele gear. I have a pair of Karhu Kodiaks mounted tele as well. That being said, I suck at tele and after four years I finally reverted back to locking my heel down again. I found a pair of Rossignol B3's and those 'effin rock. My confidence and ability skyrocketed. It's a mix of learning better balance from my years on tele, plus now having a locked down heel, and some really fun skis. I have never bought any brand new ski gear. Have always managed to buy on consignment or off the net from ski websites. Steve

I would like to suggest that you lay out the cash for a little ski school time and ride the lifts for a couple of days. It'll make the ski down so much more fun and controlled. Trying to ski marginal snow conditions with a full pack is like trying to screw in a light bulb with your feet. You can do it, but it sure ain't fun, and you stand a high likelyhood of getting yourself hurt. Blowing a knee or taking a header into some rock sucks. With the boot and binding set up you have, once you decide on a ski, I think you'll be dialed in for all kinds of fun new adventures. I'm your weight and ski a 187 cm...I wouldn't go shorter than 180 for sure..nor would I go longer than 195, but I ain't no expert. Good luck, have fun. Be safe

Took a drive up the south side access on 12-27. Didn't pay attention to milage but our progress was going along nicely until the BFT slowed us down. (big freaking tree). There were tracks going around it but I just had a feeling it would be a bad idea for me to follow suite. No chains, no rope, no winch. Just a shovel and my lovely bride. I am not an expert with a chainsaw but it wouldn't surprise me if I was told a 24 inch blade was needed to get that tree out of the way. Steve

Nobody at Crown this afternoon either...guess the whores got a bath and freshened up.

i don't want to sound like an ass...but why rope up if your confident in the self arrest skills? I don't understand. It seems to my simple mind that using a rope without protection is like eating a peanut butter sandwich without the bread. You can do it, but it doesn't make sense. steve

Took a scenic drive up that way yesterday. 8 miles of road led me to a very sizable collection of cars and trucks parked along side of the road due to snow conditions. Guess that leaves four miles of walking to the trailhead. Snow wasn't deep though, should melt out fast.

If you follow that logic, then that says I can also go onto any public road and dig Burmese Tiger Traps in the middle of the travel lane if I want. After all, I own it, right? Or since I "pay taxes" I can go up to Tilly Jane and take back my old rough cut lumber and use it in my new McMansion that overshadows your property. Come on, seriously..are you 'effin kidding me? You think it's kosher to show up with bolt cutters or heavy equipment and disreguard federal law? It's a three mile walk. Call it a warm up. I'm a horribly obese fat ass and can make three miles. Steve

About a week ago I was up at Tilly Jane cabin. Trail up was mostly dirt until the last quarter mile. Some patches of snow but they served more of a nuisance than anything. From the Cabin on up it's several feet of snow. I'm a fatty, move about 1000 feet elevation per hour. We hiked up to the Climber's Shelter...was just on a walkabout, had no real plans other than exercise. Not sure if I said anything helpful or not, but my fingers like typing. Steve

Baseline proficiency can be just as easily gleaned from WMI's 16 to 24-hour Wilderness First Aid (WFA, not WFR) course. Eighty hours is a huge commitment, and while I would agree with marcus that it's a lot of really great stuff, the WFR course is really geared towards those that would be owners of expedition companies, mountain guides, etc. whose daily line of work makes them responsible for their clients' health and welfare. The WFA class is good enough for the majority of us weekend warriors off on an alpine adventure or a hike through the Picketts. IMHO. Click on a course and read the syllabus... NOLS WMI courses I recertify my WFA every two years to stay current, just in case... So if I am to understand you correctly...baseline proficiency is adequate enough because serious things never happen to weekend warriors? Is that not akin to having a new belayer (someone who just learned how) belay you on a moderate lead climb because you hardly ever fall anyways? Not like holds ever break or anything... Steve

Take a quality first aid course. Prefer something of the Wilderness Medical style but anything is better than nothing. Stuff happens..be prepared, learn to improvise Steve