[TR] Mt McLoughlin - Through rock in North bowl 03/03/2021

[adventure43]

Trip: Mt McLoughlin - Through rock in North bowl

Trip Date: 03/03/2021

Trip Report:

 

Somehow I stumbled across this image of Mt McLoughlin and decided the route in red would be fun. Is this covered in any guide books?

 

https://image.shutterstock.com/shutterstock/photos/1105471811/display_1500/stock-photo-mount-mcloughlin-oregon-1105471811.jpg

For the past couple of months mountain-forecast showed a good weather window a week or more out but every time the forecast changed and spoiled the party. I tried once before, https://imgur.com/gallery/uB410zr, but gave up en route since conditions weren’t suitable.

This time looked good and after a storm cycle that ended on Sat - Sun, three clear days in a row were forecast. Headed down to Summit Snow Park after work on Tuesday and caught a nap before heading out. Arrived too early at the saddle between the North and NE bowls so hung around for the sunrise.

Should have brought a long ice axe and a stubby but had two ice tools. There was 0.5 inch crust with no too consolidated snow underneath. Easy to kick in but not solid. 

A few more pictures here https://imgur.com/a/H4XqwZC

 

Gear Notes:
Snow shoes, helmet, crampons, two ice tools - should have brought axes.

Approach Notes:
From Summit Snow Park headed down FS 3650 and up the normal hiker route. Off trail traverse wasn't too bad with just a bit of side hill action. See attached GPX for the route.

Edited March 4, 2021 by adventure43
Add images - thought they automatically showed up if you added them

[sfuji]

Beautiful photos! Looks like a super fun romp.

Quote

Tons of garbage chutes, sounded like a river of chicken fingers coming down.

Edited March 6, 2021 by sfuji

[nonbasketless]

You absolutely rock. I love that you found an interesting route up such a normally overlooked objective!

[mountainsloth]

Looks like this would be a fun ski in the right conditions. Way to use your eyes and not just a guide book