[TR] Mt. Tabor Mastiff Winter Ascent - Western flank 12/22/2008

[hippos_are_evil]

Trip: Mt. Tabor Massif Winter Ascent - Western flank

 

Date: 12/22/2008

 

Trip Report:

Team Kermantle decided that after our years of training and preparation it was time to take on the big one - Mt. Tabor in SE Portland.

 

Our day started leaving our bivy to the south on the flanks of Mt. Tabor. We marked the safe passage from the bivy to the climbers trail.

 

 

I broke trail until we got to a clearing a few hundred yards from our campsite where we consulted our map and compass.

 

 

Here is Matt jumping across the Bergshrund that just opened up recently.

 

 

Our first headwall

 

Note the PRG belay:

 

A woman walked by so we had to pause and pose:

Keevin almost losing balance

Thank god

 

Belaying Matt up

 

Our second headwall

 

 

 

 

Closeup of our mixed trad climbing

 

 

2nd pitch conquered

 

 

 

Drytooling on the natural features

 

Rest stop at alpine lake on South side of Mt. Tabor

 

The slog up

 

High winds and blustery conditions made it difficult to handle the rappell and traverse on the West side

 

 

Keevin belaying Matt up past a slab fracture from a recent avalanche

 

We just finished our Mazamas training!

After much trial/error we found that the sharp pointy side was better at sticking in the snow.

 

As we were burning daylight it was necessary to strip away all weight and make a dash for the summit!

Fast and light!

 

You know what you're supposed to do when someone is going hyperthermic.....

 

Matt and Keevin getting rewarmed

 

The high altitude at the summit is begining to tax our reserves

No really, it was hard

 

Summit!

 

The descent was pretty tricky going down an unexplored route on the South Face (nicknamed 'The Skank' by locals) We decided to put in some V-threads and rappelll down

 

 

This was a very successful first ascent of the Mt. Tabor Massif. While we lost our pride and a box of Cheez-its, we all came back alive. Which after money, women and cars, is the most important thing.

 

-Team Kermantle

"Extreme action in the mildest conditions"

 

 

Gear Notes:

1 Picket

2 Ice Screws

3 cases of Badassness

1 30m twin rope

2 Ice tools

1 Axe

1 Shovel

4 runners

3 Screamers

1 Link Cam (very useful near stairs above dog park)

1 bottle of water based personal lubricant (what happens on the mountain stays on the mountain)

 

 

 

Approach Notes:

We got lost en route from South Tabor to the Mt. Tabor Masiff itself. Beta: Mt. Tabor is not on the USA map.

Edited December 24, 2008 by hippos_are_evil

[wayne]

Truly an epic in the anals of Portland Urban Epics. Rivals the Chris W Ascent of several years ago.

The Mastiff part is a bit creepy though.

[olyclimber]

proud send guys. how many poops did you poop up there on the wall? how do you poop on a wall?

[letsroll]

LMAO....it is offical you guys are dorks with waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too much time on your hands.

 

LOL. great TR. This one should go on the classics list.

[kevbone]

Good times.....

[wayne]

Also very Funny

[mike1]

:lmao: :lmao: :lmao: :lmao: :lmao: :lmao:

[Blake]

Tabor

 

Massif

 

MasTiff

 

You guys just did the dog route...

[Winter]

Ah yes, the younger generation picking up the Mighty Mt. Tabor Torch. But all the burliest lines have already been sent. Now its all about the descent!

 

 

 

 

[wayne]

You PDXers are so lucky to not only have a Mountain in the city but a Mastiff as well

[WageSlave]

lolz...indeed

[111]

that made my night guys! thanks

[marc_leclerc]

Strong work Fellows... that is a sick line!

[godskid5]

Still laughing!! This was great guys! Glad you made it back alive, you should send the story into climbing mag, they need some good epics like this in there.

[climbmama]

Tee hee! That was awesome. Thanks for the laughs. Thanks, also, for not showing the rewarming photo!