Illumination Rock pics...

[Chad_A]

Thought about posting as a TR, but didn't, as "TR" usually means you actually tried to attempt the route. We went up today (Vince and I) to check out March Madness; a pal of mine had seen it from the top of the Palmer and thought that it might be in. Wayne, is this your idea of WI4???? :: Sick bastard-

 

So, we went and had a look see. From afar it does look doable, but walking up to it, it sure didn't look like it to us. Putting an ice tool into it made the "ice" crumble. I'd never seen anything like it before...water ice, with rime formed on top of it, looking like water ice forming on the rime ice...bizarre. We went up the South Chamber to pick around on the rime to see if we could find a moderate line to get to the top, but with a tool stick and a pull-down, it would just explode into powder, or simply rip through with very little effort.

 

At any rate, it was such a nice day up there, though I'd share some pics. The lenticular swallowed the upper part of the mountain as I was reaching the parking lot, and was descending down on the towers as we drove off. Enjoy the views, we sure did. It was nice to get some unexpected sun today.

 

Cheers,

Chad

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[godskid5]

Great pics, thanks!

[Mountain_Shots]

Thanks for posting.

[wayne]

Ahh the Madness!

It usually forms to the right under the the snowfield. Shame the rime isnt in good yet,

[powderhound]

anyone seen this thing recently? I still need day #34 an 35...

[Farrgo]

Saw it yesterday, looks essentially the same as Chad's pics but probably a little bit more sparse. Get after it while the getting's good, definately Spring on Mt. Hood.

[rocky_joe]

I wondered what that was called when we were at I-saddle the week before last. That shit looks sick. We were gonna walk over and have a look (not a go) but I think the sledding ended up winning the battle (and I wasn't gunna walk that damn hill again.)