Wy'East from Meadows or Timberline?

[mountainxclimb]

What is the fastest way to climb the Wy'east route of Hood? It seems like such a direct line from Meadows however, I notice many climbers choose to complete this climb from Timberline Lodge.

 

¡Paz!

[Alex]

In winter 2003 (?) my wife and I did the variation through Steele cliff, which was scenic and recommended. While the route from Medows might be more direct, you're bypassing the interesting climbing (crossing the White River glacer and skirting or climbing Steele cliff) if you go that way

[ptavv]

You can get fined by the HR Sheriff if you descend into any of the territory which belongs to Mt Hood Meadows (top of Superbowl) while the area is closed to Meadows skiers.

 

Which would pretty much only happen if you were to trigger a slide that came down into their territory or something, but the point remains.

 

I think the hassles of dealing with the patrolers at Meadows and whatnot are why most people leave from Timberline.

Edited December 31, 2006 by ptavv

[iain]

Most people leave from Timberline because it is a bitch to get back to Meadows coming down the south side. At best it is a long drag back from triangle moraine. Wyeast sucks in general if a ski descent is not involved.

 

You would have no trouble with Meadows patrol if you just walk down the rim of White River off of Cascade.

 

No land "belongs" to Meadows.

[ptavv]

Meadows patrollers would be incensed if you skied into Superbowl from Wy'east. Whether it was safe and stable or not.

 

Which is why the typical ski out is down White River canyon, to the snow park at the bottom, where you've setup a car shuttle.

 

Not that I've ever done this ski descent or anything...

[gslater]

What authority does a ski area have to say one can't descend into "their" terrain? Does the legal situation which allows the ski area to operate on Forest Service land also require the purchase of a lift ticket to be within that boundary, or is it left to the discretion of the ski area?

[wdietsch]

Which is why the typical ski out is down White River canyon, to the snow park at the bottom, where you've setup a car shuttle.

 

White River Snow Park is closed this year due to the wash out

[mullster]

Meadows patrol have no authority to harass you if you descend Wy'est into their area in order to reach your vehicle.

Now, if you tried to hop on the lift again - then they could.

 

A fantastic loop is T-Line up and ski down to Meadows. A long and enjoyable day by all!!!

[iain]

While on the topic of corralling, please do not skin/climb directly up the Palmer/Mile at Timberline. Stay over to climber's right of the runs. Even if you are not leaving postholes on skis, you are a hazard to downhill traffic and groomers who can't see you. Timberline patrol thanks you.

 

As for Meadows, pretty easy to ski down into Superbowl w/o being too much of a hassle. If you go in there while Heather is closed for control, well, you're an idiot and should be fined. Patrol there has to deal with some true numbskulls, so they are understandably hot on this topic. But if they deem it necessary to control Heather, maybe you should be thinking twice about what you just skied above!

[ptavv]

You're permitted to ski in Meadows' special use permit area as much as you please, provided you stay in the areas that are open to all skiers.

 

For instance, if Superbowl is closed (as it is most of the year, until they open the cat shuttle from Cascade to the top of Superbowl), you are not allowed to ski it, whether or not you've purhchased a lift ticket or used a Meadows lift.

 

The reasoning is that Meadows needs to be able to enforce closures to all people (customers and BCers alike) within their terrain. There is a Hood River County ordinance (the precise one escapes me) that permits the sheriff to fine you if you violate resort closures but are not a customer.

 

On the other hand, you are allowed to skin up and leave the Meadows boundary at will, as long as you didn't use a lift, and do not ski any of the closure areas in the resort.

[ptavv]

White River Snow Park is closed this year due to the wash out

You can still ski down to the old snowpark, and cross Hwy 35 to the White River East snowpark. Or you can use the BSA lodge parking lot. There are plenty of options for a car shuttle drop off point if you want.

[Phil Jones]

The reason Meadows' ski patrol gets so crazy is due to the few idiots who have intentionally skiid out of bounds and gotten lost, prompting a search for their sorry asses. Some have sued Meadows and actually won settlements for their own stupidity.

 

 

[mountainxclimb]

Have any of you climbed the wy'east route from Meadows and descended the same way?

[mountainxclimb]

How technical is it to climb to this ridge from Meadows? I'd like to do some photography from here of the Hogsback.

 

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c131/alw1999/IMG_0969Edit.jpg

 

[iain]

It is not too bad, perhaps 35-40ish near the top? There are a bunch of fumeroles up there that can cause some horrendous postholing where the snow is melted around the rocks.

 

It is also a notorious avalanche slope, as it is lee, southeast facing, primetime angle, and big. It releases on a fairly regular basis. It's more known as a spring climb.

 

Technically it's a slog to the rim though.

[rbw1966]

You would have no trouble with Meadows patrol if you just walk down the rim of White River off of Cascade.

 

Not true. We rode up the Cascade and tried skinning from there and a patroller became apoplectic.

 

[kevbone]

What is the fastest way to climb the Wy'east route of Hood?

 

Helicopter

[ptavv]

You would have no trouble with Meadows patrol if you just walk down the rim of White River off of Cascade.

 

Not true. We rode up the Cascade and tried skinning from there and a patroller became apoplectic.

Obviously. If you ride a lift you're NOT ALLOWED to leave the boundaries. It's a liability issue. Meadows is legally responsible for you, even if you leave their boundaries, after you've utilized their lift.

 

On the other hand, if you had skinned up to the top of Cascade and then headed over into White River, there would be no issue.

 

If you were clever you would consider riding the lift up, skiing down Texas Trail to the trees, putting skins on, and then skinning up the 150 yards or so. That way everyone wins. Except this is still technically wrong and you should definitely not do it.

[billbob]

FYI - Heard loud boom from White River canyon yesterday, avi caused from the heavy freezing rain coming down maybe? Was coming down W side of WRC ridge from Triangle Moraine. Saw several smaller ones on W slope of the ridge, running across climbers path going back to TL. Conditions up there change fast.

[ptavv]

Being anywhere near avy prone slopes in WRC or on Wy'east right now is insanely stupid.

 

It's pouring rain all the way up to like 8,000 feet, on top of a snowpack that has at least three different rain crusts in it. The precip is supposed to switch to snow with high winds in the coming days, leaving lots of loaded slopes on top of a rain crust. Give this snowpack a bit to consolidate before you start planning any missions...