The Cascade Kid

What kind of camera are you using?

When you say left variation, which line are you referring to?

Trip: Mt Hood - Pearly Gates Right, Crater Rock, White River Date: 2/16/2015 Trip Report: Climbed Hood today via the Pearly Gates right variation topping out around 8:30 am. The snow was stiff and chalky up high, with some good styrafoam to make the climbing good and the early-morning skiing poor. The Right variation had a short but steep bulge of maybe 80 degrees which made for a couple of fun moves. The old chute provided some very stiff and icy skiing, so we sat around on the Hogs Back waiting for it to soften. Also, as there were multiple teams descending the old chute roped together without protection, we were wondering if we'd get to see a show. While there, we got the crazy idea to go tag the top of crater rock, and then for shits I skied the (surprisingly) steep North face of the thing in (surprisingly) good snow. [img:center]http://cascadeclimbers.com/plab/data/500/medium/aSkiing_off_crater_rock_ptrinnes_.jpg[/img] We skied out White River from the top with some good corn turns taking us back to Timberline. More photos at MountainLessons. Gear Notes: Two tools best, one tool and one whippet viable at best. No pro. Approach Notes: Top of Palmer in 1 hr, top of mountain in 3. Skiing is unrivaled.

Yeah, no water treatment. I've been drinking that water for quite a while with no ill effects. That said, I've never had ill effects from drinking untreated water. Nevertheless, it is all snowmelt water of one sort, usually flowing fast, and not coming from inhabited areas. Don't know that I'd dip into the stream right next to the McNeil point shelter, but I don't hesitate at any stream that I have to slow down to cross.

Trip: Mt Hood - Timberline Trail (8 hrs, 48 min) Date: 9/28/2014 Trip Report: The running viking, Sigurþór Einar Halldórsson, and I ran the Timberline Trail loop on Sunday, and with perfect weather and no hiccups, made it around and back to the car in 8 hours and 48 minutes. Though not a climb per-se, I've seen this reported here before, and include some photos for your entertainment. I've wanted to run this loop for a long, long time, and I'm really happy that it came together this year. For more photos and an extended trip report: http://mountainlessons.com/running/running-around-mt-hood-timberline-trail [img:center]http://i2.wp.com/mountainlessons.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/tt02.jpg[/img] [img:center]http://i2.wp.com/mountainlessons.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/tt12.jpg[/img] [img:center] http://i0.wp.com/mountainlessons.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/tt10.jpg[/img] [img:center]http://i2.wp.com/mountainlessons.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/tt13.jpg[/img] Gear Notes: LaSportiva Bushido shoes, Ultimate direction pack, 2200 calories. The whole loop goes fine with only 16 oz of water-carrying capacity. Approach Notes: 40 miles, 10,000', 7 rivers, one good time.

Very nice work. What kind of ski kit are you on, and did you carry your skis to the top? Some things about the prior speed record doesn't with me, I have to say. The record holder makes a big deal about having an official timer and implicitly discredits ascents without one. In my view, any record attempt/break should simply require honest reporting. Yours is a great example. Now that the game is down to a matter of minutes, it becomes important to mention the precise start and end points, but the athlete's watch should be an adequate measure of his/her effort. Also, why is Mt Hood subject to a one-way record? Mt Rainier stands as a car-to-car effort, and that makes a lot more sense.

Trip: Crested Butte, CO - GoreTex Grand Traverse Date: 3/29/2014 Trip Report: For more than a week now, I’ve struggled against my keyboard to beat out a race report from the GoreTex Grand Traverse (GT), which Taylor and I raced on the night of march 28th and well into the day on the 29th. To encapsulate 15 hours of backcountry racing into a succinct blog post is nigh impossible given the spectral range of emotions and experiences that evolve and transpire during such a lengthy race. Nevertheless, inspired by a report from my friend and fellow racer Ethan Linck, I hope to bring you a few highlights. Expanding my sense of the possible is the biggest kick that I get from prolonged endurance events, and the GT was a new high for me. I’m a new convert to prolonged endurance, having only run my first Ultramarathon last summer. Nevertheless, it’s an addicting feeling to line up for a new challenge and to wait for the gun on a race that’s longer than you’ve ever done before. More addicting still is the confidence that, regardless of the duration, you are strong enough to finish– that feels good. Read on at Mountain Lessons ---- Gear Notes: Dynafit skimo race kit, CAMP flash anorak and pants, X3 600 lightweight pack. Tow rope. Approach Notes: 41 miles, 8500', 15 hours, 110 oz water, 2500 calories.

The Wasatch Powder Keg at Brighton ski resort is the longest-running skimo event in the US, and this year it was chosen to be the North American Championships. That meant that in addition to the strong Wasatch crowd, a pack of Canadians, Coloradans and other far-flung speed suit types would be coming to downsize my opinion of my own fitness. Nevertheless, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to jump in and tangle with much better racers in three different race formats; sprint, individual, and teams races against the best on the continent. My story and photos are here: http://mountainlessons.com/skiing/wasatch-powder-keg-2014 (Photo: Racers on the technical ropes portion of the teams race, courtesy of ISMF)

After skin difficulties and some hard-won lessons at Alpental last week, I was both nervous and excited to get back on snow this weekend for the Subaru Vertfest Mt Bachelor race. The weather was amazing, with blue skies and a light breeze, and around 60 people turned out to race in the recreational and elite divisions. [img:center]http://i1.wp.com/mountainlessons.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/8f6723e89c3011e392520ef0453e1a92_8-e1393350878363.jpg[/img] The course was modified at the last minute to avoid travel to the top of Mt Bachelor, which had yet to open. Rather than climb all the way to the top of the mountain, the elite division instead completed two laps of the second and longer climb before booting the cinder cone and descending to the finish. More Photos and a race report here: http://mountainlessons.com/skiing/vertfest-mt-bachelor-podium [img:center]http://i2.wp.com/mountainlessons.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/83bbfce29cf511e3b85612a7545bb72a_7.jpg[/img] Photo attributions after the jump

Turnout was good for Vertfest this year, with a race starting under grey skies that quickly started puking snow. Personal race report, race stats, and more photos here: http://mountainlessons.com/skiing/subaru-vertfest-alpental

We had an awesome pow day last Saturday before the rain ruined the snow. With two laps on an easterly aspect, we skied thigh-to-waist-deep pow stable as the pyramids. Changing aspects, we made a decision-making error, and ended up on some spooky, spooky snow. Story, analaysis, and more photos here: http://mountainlessons.com/skiing/winter-returns-skiing-considerable-danger

We went clockwise. I said that others who had made reports seemed to go CC thinking that was easier.

Trip: Crater Lake - Ski Circumnavigation Date: 2/2/2014 Trip Report: My heavy duty girlfriend and I made a ski circumnavigation of Crater lake last weekend by the rim-drive route (33 miles, ~8000'). We found fast skinning conditions on consolidated snow with very little exposed ground. Splitting the route into 1.5 days, we were moving for about 12 hrs total. [font:Arial Black]Photos and Report here: Mountain Lessons [/font] Contrary to prior reports we thought that clockwise was the way to go for sure. Additionally, other reports of the record at 8 hrs are poorly researched. 6.5 hours appears to have been accomplished by multiple parties. Gear Notes: Dynafit race skis with pomoca skins. Patterned BC skis would also work. Approach Notes: 2WD approach to rim at the moment. Running water available in the bathroom. bathroom at Mt Scott summer campground is unlocked with TP (and now dug out)

I'd heard about using tow ropes for team racing, but nowhere could I find an explanation of their use or how to make one. After some experimentation, I've got the beta for you. Check it out and improve your team racing for less than $5 in materials http://mountainlessons.com/gear/skimo-tow-rope

Toured all over the North Side yesterday. Despite ample sun, a hard-blowing, uncharacteristic East wind kept the snow surface cool, with almost no softening during the day. Photos and some writing here: http://mountainlessons.com/skiing/confessions-ex-freeskier The best skiing was carveable windboard, found only in the most sheltered nooks above treeline. Below tree-line there was some snow that would have skied like corn, were it not for the dust layer on top slowing things down considerably.

Nice photos! But no photo of the route, or of the reid glacier? Are any snow bridges showing over there?

for what it's worth I was in this camp too until I ripped the binding out of the "stronger" inserts. That makes me and two other personal acquaintances who've had that issue. I don't trust em-- thats what happens when you fix something that wasn't broken. That said, it has some good dimensions for the one ski quiver

Nice sweater.

Is anyone familiar with current conditions from Trout Lake to access mt Adams south side? Particularly road 8040 to the cold springs TH. Thanks!

[img:center]http://i2.wp.com/mountainlessons.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/e4347588809211e3b1f6124be0137d7c_8-e1390155671160.jpg[/img] Not posted as a TR as there's enough St Helens reports here to kill anyone's inspiration. With low snow all over, I decided to make the best of it and get some exercise. Starting around 7:30 am from Marble Mountain snowpark, I skied the worm flows route car to car in 3:37:01. I think that time can easily be improved to under 3 hours with better conditions. There's a bit of dirt walking to get to skinnable snow, but its not bad. Corn began softening up around 10:00 am on the upper mountain. More photos and a bit of writing after the jump: http://mountainlessons.com/skiing/mt-st-helens-speed-ski

ps. skimo means ski mountaineering racing. As in 65 mm waist, 160 cm length, and run. ski touring usually refers to seeking out the most fun snow to ski, generally of a mellower nature. ski mountaineering refers to skiing lines on Mountains, not just hills, often requiring diversity of skills beyond those of the average ski tourist.

for ski mountaineering, true ski mountaineering, 85-95 mm underfoot is considered pretty golden. Bigger skis are heavier and dont give you a lot more performance for skiing steep stuff. I'm 5'11" 160#, and for true ski mountaineering I use an 85 mm waist ski 176 cm. For general purpose ski touring, that goes up to 95 mm underfoot on 180 cm ski. For reference, I prefer skis that are 189 cm, 110 underfoot for resort skiing, but its pointless to lug those around the backcountry. Lets be real, the snow in the PNW is not blower. You don't need that much float. The coomback is an ok touring ski, though IMO its the worst of both worlds with minimal camber and minimal rocker. Any ski is fun in powder. Consider buying one that works well on ahrdpack.

For those of you who might be participating in the Elk Mountains Grand traverse, I've just posted an interview with veteran Jon Brown in an effort to tackle questions about gear, training, and race strategy. Jon is a member of team crested butte, winner of the 2006 traverse, and 10-time Grand Traverse racer. You can find our interview here: http://bit.ly/1de8BTf Enjoy!

On that note, I drove back through the gorge, and there was no real ice to be seen. Lots of wet, poorly formed, and aerated ice, despite temps below freezing. And its not tooooo much of a bummer. Skiing is actually fun.

Bare and thin. North face gullies: Not in Cooper's spur: maybe? looks like contiguous snow, but just barely Elliot Ice: Some formed ice, but looks thin and aerated.