CollinWoods Posted September 30, 2008 Posted September 30, 2008 Does anybody have any info on climbing Mt Hood in November. I am crazed to get out climbing but i dont have very much experance. I will have some basic ice climbing skills and intermidate avalanch skills but am new to mountain climbing and want do climb something. Any advice? Thanks -Collin Quote
Couloir Posted September 30, 2008 Posted September 30, 2008 You might be able to gleen some information/advice from this thread. Quote
billbob Posted October 1, 2008 Posted October 1, 2008 Collin, Few people want to try it in November and for good reason. Careful your ambition doesn't exceed your personal abilities. You'll get experience and live to learn from it if you stick to the S. side above Timberline, bring a gps/map/compass/cell phone, and don't go up if the weather is grim. Bring a shovel and make a snow cave when there's enough snow. Plan on making at least a few day hikes up to Crater Rock. Find out how to get down in a whiteout. Find out what it's like to huff really cold air filled with blowing snice. Drink lots of water, don't let it freeze up. Eat more Gu or whatever. Do an overnight camp on the Triangle Moraine. Make damn sure you have clothing for surviving really nasty weather. Often there will be a decent weather window in late Dec and/or Feb, but as already mentioned, it will change in a blink. Go every weekend that the weather allows and maybe you will still want to go for the summit before winter is over. Remember that if you screw up, lots of other guys might have to risk their necks to get you back. Winter on the volcanoes can be exceptionally beautiful or deadly. Quote
billbob Posted October 2, 2008 Posted October 2, 2008 15 climbs in 12 months resulting in sciatica and one nasty ice-pick hole in the thigh has had me down for the count since July. Back now on training runs around I Rock after binge-ing w/ Johnny Walker, at least in winter its easier to wipe off frozen vomitus. Can't wait for the annual winter solstice Beacon Rock slip-fest ?! Quote
ivan Posted October 2, 2008 Posted October 2, 2008 it's coming up for certain - think i'll be doing a warm-up for it this rainy saturday Quote
John Frieh Posted October 8, 2008 Posted October 8, 2008 Any updates/pics/etc on N face? Is the road still closed? Quote
billbob Posted October 9, 2008 Posted October 9, 2008 As of last Sun the roads to Vista Ridge and Mazamas (old Cathedral Ridge) TH's were opened back up but the road up Cooper Spur was still closed. They should all be open after this week given all the precip. Hood Ranger district office closes at 4:30pm so it was too late to call today, you can ask tomorrow morning ...541-352-6002 Â The TJ campground was scorched, no buildings lost. CC was almost but not quite burnt. Â Last Sun it snowed on us all the way up to Crater Rock Quote
Winter Posted October 9, 2008 Posted October 9, 2008 I heard from the District Ranger that the Cloud Cap Road will be closed until next summer due the Gnarl Ridge wildfire and continuing erosion control and clean up work ... but she could have been wrong. Can't hurt to call and check. Definitely call to check on the status of area closures if you plan on going up there. Quote
ivan Posted October 9, 2008 Posted October 9, 2008 fuck! looks like you'll have to earn your north face climb this fall Quote
billbob Posted October 9, 2008 Posted October 9, 2008 Can't even park at the bottom of the Cooper Spur road and hike up TJ trail... Downed, burnt, weakened trees much of the way caused the TJ trail to be closed. Word is it might open later but snow is coming soon, so it may be some time before anyone can hike up. What alternatives are left? Hike up to Elk Cove and traverse up/over? Parachute on to the Eliot? Climb the SS and descend Cooper Spur? Quote
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