glen Posted March 2, 2002 Posted March 2, 2002 A buddy and I are planning on climbing as many of the Cascade volcanoes as we cna this spring and ski down as much as is sane (boy, talk about a great way to invite the spray!) on the way down to add some fun. Do any of you have any info on when the road out to Adams opens up? Also, anyone have any preferred routes for Hood? Quote
dbb Posted March 2, 2002 Posted March 2, 2002 I think twight said "It doesn't have to be fun, to be fun." (I agree too, because it always becomes "fun" once some time passes) Quote
mattp Posted March 2, 2002 Posted March 2, 2002 Yeah, you may be inviting spray – but if you have a thick enough skin you'll get some information. The road to the normal (south side) approach to Adams usually opens rather late (July 4th in some years), but you may be able to drive within a reasonable distance some time early June. If you can wait that long, the S. Ridge is a great ski run, and the SW Chutes is one of the best (I took this picture in the chutes on July 4, 1994): There is a north side approach that somebody fairly recently posted here as being a good early season access point because the road is plowed, but I didn't find their post when I just ran a search. However, the north side routes are generally not very skier-friendly. I haven't climbed the North Ridge, but I bet it is not a friendly ski route, and I know that the Lava Headwall would only be good if you are a very good skier because it is definitely insane and there is a large schrund. The Lava Cleaver might be OK if you are a very good skier and the freezing level was very high. The Adams Glacier is quite broken, the NW Ridge would not be skier friendly, the N. Face of the NW Ridge would be totally insane, and the Pinnacle Glacier Headwall is a very steep and somewhat dangerous ski run. For a more moderate ski descent, I have climbed the NW Ridge and skied the SW Ridge, which is much more reasonable and leads to an easy traverse back around to the NW approach. [ 03-02-2002: Message edited by: mattp ] Quote
russ Posted March 2, 2002 Posted March 2, 2002 Check out this site http://cascadeclassics.alpinelite.com/Skiing/Skiing.htm - they've done some nice stuff. Quote
mattp Posted March 2, 2002 Posted March 2, 2002 quote: Originally posted by russ: they've done some nice stuff. Including some total insanity. Those guys must be good skiers. Quote
Brock_Landers Posted March 2, 2002 Posted March 2, 2002 mattp: I don't doubt those guys are good skiers, but which routes do you think are "total insanity?" Quote
mattp Posted March 3, 2002 Posted March 3, 2002 North Face of NW Ridge (Adams) for one. But don't get me wrong - I say that with complete respect and full recognition of the fact that they may well have been more than able to handle it. So perhaps "total insanity" is the wrong phrase because I didn't necessariliy intend to imply wrecklessness or irresponsibility. I might use the same phrase to describe your favorite big wall route on the Captain, too, and I'd be saying that with enthusiasm in my voice and a wink in my eye -- these don't come through on the keyboard, I'm afraid. Quote
Zenolith Posted March 3, 2002 Posted March 3, 2002 wy'east and southside are the most skiable lines from near the summit, but leutholds and cooper spur are doable in the right conditions if you are good enough. in my opinion sunshine is skiable from the summit ridge but it is continuously exposed on the upper pitches. if that route is skied it is rare. does anyone know if it has been? Quote
Alex Posted March 3, 2002 Posted March 3, 2002 Dear God, ski Cooper Spur? Those have to be pretty damn good conditions for me to risk that wipe-out and ...oh...2500 foot fall the the glacier... Quote
crack_addict Posted March 3, 2002 Posted March 3, 2002 quote: Dear God, ski Cooper Spur? people do it. i am pretty sure the sandy headwall has been skied as well. Quote
bballer44 Posted March 3, 2002 Posted March 3, 2002 mt adams:the south climb trailhead from cold springs will probably be open around or after the first of july. there is a lot of snow up there this year. if you have a truck or jeep with some decent tires you can make it into morrison creek which is about 5 miles from cold springs by mid june. mt hood:i dont much about any of the routes except the south climb and it would be a great ski down, from crater rock to the parking lot Quote
Zenolith Posted March 3, 2002 Posted March 3, 2002 as i recall some fellah (what's his name?) skied it to check on that couple that fett to theor deaths a couple summers ago... in fact, someone has skied the n face couloir too! Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.