dietcookie

Thanks for the info. My buddy may not be comfortable with steep snow, I'll plan on bringing two short pickets. Can the walls of the couloir take rock pro? Also, as for rapping down the wall, it's gained by walking past the couloir on the ridge while descending correct?

Thanks for the TR, I'm planning on climbing the West Ridge next week. Hopefully the couloir and bridge stay somewhat "in". Would a standard axe suffice for the couloir or maybe one tool?

Anyone have any recent info/conditions for the approach? More concerned about the entrance and general condition of the couloir if anything. Sounds like the Northern Cascades are under much above average snow for this time of the year http://www.nps.gov/noca/planyourvisit/trail-conditions.htm Don't want to bring any additional gear if there is no schrund to deal with. Thanks guys.

We are planning on doing the approach to illumination saddle Mon 3/16 and climbing it super early tuesday morning. Atmos forecast seems to project Hood getting the tail end of it during that time, NOAA seems to think chance of showers mostly cloudy. We'll see what happens!

I'll throw the shoes in the car at least. I'm hoping the weather stays semi-stable as the forecast indicates for the next week.

The rime mushroom sounds sweet. Maybe we will run into it unless the chunk runs into us. I guess I have one more question, snowshoes or posthole? I don't ski (i'm bummed..) but I would rather leave the shoes at home. I can see them being useful up to the approach to illumination saddle but thats about it.

Sounds good guys.

Anyone have a scan of the route from Oregon High or a picture with the route drawn out? Seems like there are a ton of variations on the route but i'm still unclear where exactly you start and where the exit is. I keep coming across people confusing leutholds and reid together. Thanks guys.

Perfect, exactly what I want to hear. Me and a buddy are flying in tomorrow night and starting our hike (no bikes unfortunately) in on friday. We plan on climbing Eldorado as well, see you there! thanks again for info.

Anyone know where the snowline is at in and around cascade river/pass area? I'd rather not pack the showshoes. Thanks

Too small and insignificant to rope up? Seems like all the TRs i've read did not have one mention of rope in it.

From where the road is damaged, is it snowed in most of the way? I'll be there end of this month, and would rather not pack snowshoes if I don't have to.

several miles and 3500 foot gain if memory serves me. but that's if you camp on snow / leave no trace which should be easy early season. sweet, sounds like it should be doable from where the road is jacked (mile 12 or so?). probably no chance in hell its gonna be fixed up by the end of this month huh? i'm flying in the 28th.

how far in is the hike to a reasonable camp for eldorado from the actual trailhead?

Again, be careful heading up to a volcano in bad weather. You can do it in a whiteout, but things can get pretty crazy with strong winds and snow and all that good stuff. Lots of people have died on them because they ignored the weather. Easier climbs on smaller mountains (like some on Baker HW) can be a lot of fun in bad weather. Any suggestions on the smaller guys that would be fun? Goatboy: Mt. Fury, looks fucking bad ass. Thats it. I have to be there. This whole time I was looking at the various goods in the Pickets but I just sat here for an hour going through info on Fury. I think I have made my choice