skyclimb Posted March 28, 2004 Posted March 28, 2004 Climb: Mt. Hood-South Side Date of Climb: 3/28/2004 Trip Report: Started climbing at 2 this morning. Put the boot track in on the hogsback. High avy danger. Lots of WHUMPS on the way back down. Lots of death cookies on the summit ridge. Bergshrund is slightly open on the right side of the hog. Approach Notes: SKIS, and man did that kick ass Quote
Snafflecock Posted March 28, 2004 Posted March 28, 2004 did you dig any pits on the way up to evaluate the snow stability? any idea how far down the whumping layer was? why climb when avy danger was high? Quote
skyclimb Posted March 28, 2004 Author Posted March 28, 2004 there is a solid layer of ice with approx. a foot of unconsolodated powder on top. THis unconsolodated powder is forming a breakable crust. I posted the way I did to inform people of danger on other routes. If you read the avy forecast it is primarily for north-east east aspects. This obviously doesn't negate the danger on other aspects, but west facing routes would be very dangerous right now due to the death cookies higher up, and avy conditions. END Quote
MtnHigh Posted March 29, 2004 Posted March 29, 2004 Lots of WHUMPS on the way back down. On the traverse between the Hog and Crater Rock on the descent I experienced the same thing. The slope settled giving off the tell tale 'wump' sound. I was already running down the hill and after hearing this I was not going to break my stride to analyse the snow pack. This was at 1pm. Just down the trail there were 8-10 folks coming up in 3 groups. I told one person in each group about the settling. To my surprise nobody gave any concern. wtf? I've never heard of an avi on that slope and have never seen avi debris there either. My guess is that avi conditions would have to be off the chart for that slope to actually slide. Skiing the Palmer Gl was awesome. The wind pack was softened just right. Quote
cluck Posted March 29, 2004 Posted March 29, 2004 Yikes! Don't people read the avi report?!? Or just choose to climb anyway? NWAC certainly called for dangerous climbing conditions. True, they pointed out the wind loaded NE slabs as being the most likely trigger points, but still indicated overall dangerous conditions. I've never seen any slides there personally, but I've heard that the slope below Hogsback and Crater rock does avalanche periodically. Hood's South Side route normally has lower avi danger than surrounding areas, but it is not immune. Ballsy going up with a forecast like that... I guess Glad everyone made it down safely, and thanks for the avi beta Quote
Ursa_Eagle Posted March 29, 2004 Posted March 29, 2004 One of my friends in PMR has spoke of a LARGE slab directly down the hogsback before. (Somewhere between 6 and 9 feet deep.) Extremely rare? Well, yes, but the way I see it, sometimes it's just not worth climbing. Quote
Billy Posted March 30, 2004 Posted March 30, 2004 The slope from the base of crater to the hogs is perfect for avalanches, east facing and just about the perfect angle. I'm surprised no one has bought it there before. Wumphs? Man you are nuts to be up there at 1pm.... Quote
Blake Posted April 1, 2004 Posted April 1, 2004 I'm possibly going up there sunday morning (or st. Helens). Any advice in terms of gear needed apart from crampons and an axe? Are you getting all your Avy info from NWAC? If I were to ski down from a spot below crater rock, but only have alpine ski gear, would it be prudent to just pack it along to the top, and carry it back down to where it became skiable? Or do you not think it would be worth the haul to bring them along? Thanks for any info.. going to be the first time up there after looking at it a million times. Quote
To_The_Top Posted April 1, 2004 Posted April 1, 2004 If you are doing the South side, I'd add a helmet. See you there with the other 100's that will be there. TTT Quote
Roger Posted April 2, 2004 Posted April 2, 2004 Blake - it is definitely worth it to be able to ski back down to timberline. But are you talking about actual heavy-ass alpine gear and ski boots...? I'd leave the skis at the bottom of the hogsback - you can pretty easily ski down past crater rock from there. Quote
jaee Posted April 2, 2004 Posted April 2, 2004 Carry 'em until it isn't fun anymore. Good places to ditch gear: Triangle moraine, ~9500', Devil's Kitchen 10200', Hogsback, 10700'. Their all pretty obvious when the vis is good. If it's bad, rethink stashing your skis if you want to find them again. Quote
Blake Posted April 2, 2004 Posted April 2, 2004 Blake - it is definitely worth it to be able to ski back down to timberline. But are you talking about actual heavy-ass alpine gear and ski boots...? I sure am.. some nice Atomics I bought from a guy on the CC classifieds too. I know there will be a million people, but maybe if we leave early (late?) enough we'll beat the crowd to the pearly Gates. Is the bergschrund a "non-obstacle" at this point? I'll bring the skis and boots along, and assess stashing them as the conditions warrant. Quote
rbw1966 Posted April 2, 2004 Posted April 2, 2004 If you're going up that early (late) to beat the crowds you're going to be skiing some bulletproof ice. Bring a face guard. Quote
iain Posted April 2, 2004 Posted April 2, 2004 I would be scouting the bergschrund a bit at this point. It is becoming an obstacle to consider for skiers. Quote
Blake Posted April 3, 2004 Posted April 3, 2004 So if we leave super early, and don't take an inordinate amount of time... is the consensus that the skiing wouldn't be worth it during a mid-late morning descent? Any guesses as to when it would become skiably soft? Quote
Roger Posted April 3, 2004 Posted April 3, 2004 If you do the mazama-style midnight start it will definitely be bulletproof up high, but still worth it to leave the skis somewhere above the top of the palmer and avoid slogging all the way down the ski area. Of course, this assumes the extra... I'm guessing at least 35 lbs of skis, bindings, and downhill boots on your back doesn't make you want to call it off at the silcox hut on the way up. Quote
Blake Posted April 4, 2004 Posted April 4, 2004 What's the deal with the midnight "mazama" start? is that some kinda traditional group start time? Do they have classes up there that leave @ midnight? Quote
ivan Posted April 4, 2004 Posted April 4, 2004 leaving at midnight is important when your group climbs like old people fuck Quote
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