chris_erickson Posted January 16, 2009 Posted January 16, 2009 (edited) Trip: Mt. Hood - Cooper Spur Date: 1/15/2009 Trip Report: Went up the Cooper Spur 1/14 -1/15. Some notes: Avy danger was listed each day somewhere between moderate and considerable. Our on-slope judgment was that it was somewhere between zero and zero. It's one gigantic, consolidated, impenetrable layer. Even with afternoon warmth there's no way it was going to slide. Zero rockfall, even with forecasted temps 45+. The Tilly Jane trail is a disaster. Bullet-proof, trees down, branches everywhere. Absolutely perfect climbing conditions (rock-hard snow for front-pointing), and really, really, really terrible ski conditions. The North Face and Black Widow look to be in perfect shape. Here are some pictures, there are more on my website www.chrisaerickson.com Edited January 18, 2009 by chris_erickson Quote
letsroll Posted January 16, 2009 Posted January 16, 2009 bad ski conditions? was it still icy in the trees in the afternoon? Should I just leave the skis at home and boot pack it? Quote
ivan Posted January 16, 2009 Posted January 16, 2009 awesome news - me and tvash will be there on saturday and sunday - look out below bitches! Quote
shortstow Posted January 16, 2009 Posted January 16, 2009 I knew I should have gone! Thats what I get for not testing the snow myself I guess. Hopefully it stays good till Sunday/Monday for my new window of time off. Quote
denalidave Posted January 16, 2009 Posted January 16, 2009 Nice. I was checking out your website. Very cool to see you have done many of the same trips/peaks I did back in the day... Scott's Peak, Panorama... I worked at the lodge you stayed at in Kantishna - Denali Backcountry Lodge (hence my cc.com name). I spent 8 summers working for them, even met my wife there. Sure brings back some great memories. Thanks for sharing. Quote
ivan Posted January 16, 2009 Posted January 16, 2009 Ivan, you going for the NF? inshahallah - probably walk up there and bivy on the elliot on saturday and get on the route first light on sunday - there's room for at least 2 parties on the n face (and all the fools in the world who don't mind following below them ) Quote
ropegoat Posted January 16, 2009 Posted January 16, 2009 (edited) thanks for the post dude, Glad to see that the route sent, but really glad I didn't try to take off work and come ski it with you (without being able to tele very well...) -sk Edited January 16, 2009 by ropegoat Quote
chris_erickson Posted January 16, 2009 Author Posted January 16, 2009 letsroll: it was icy everywhere, every aspect, every elevation. If I did it over again I'd still ski to and from the A-frame, but just know that it's survival skiing. denalidave: I leave in 6 weeks for my 6th season in Denali. 4 on the northside, this will be my second based in Talkeetna. Can't beat the area! Quote
ivan Posted January 16, 2009 Posted January 16, 2009 a report like this also makes the elliot headwall sound inviting? Quote
WageSlave Posted January 16, 2009 Posted January 16, 2009 Hows the elliot headwall compare to the sandy headwall? Quote
ivan Posted January 16, 2009 Posted January 16, 2009 Hows the elliot headwall compare to the sandy headwall? i haven't done it, but it looks a hell of a lot steeper/rockier - i think it used to be the mtn's hardest route till yocum and the spider crawled along? Quote
denalidave Posted January 16, 2009 Posted January 16, 2009 denalidave: I leave in 6 weeks for my 6th season in Denali. 4 on the northside, this will be my second based in Talkeetna. Can't beat the area! Both my wife & I look forward to when our kids are old enough that we can, once again, spend a summer or three up there. Till then, I will have to live vicariously through others here online. Quote
scaredofheights Posted January 17, 2009 Posted January 17, 2009 We met you at the trailhead on your way down. You gave me the great advice on the ski conditions so I cached my skis about 1/2 mile up. You guys probably saved me from a broken bone or skull fracture. Update on the snow conditions from TJ to treeline; If you don't take skis, at the very least take snow shoes. I postholed for 2 hours to get to above timberline. Horrid snow. Great job guys. through binocs we were able to pick out your line from just under 8000'. Are you going to mention the route finding choice on the way down? Quote
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