Jump to content

Mt. Hood guide book


brettinnj

Recommended Posts

i wouldn't be climbing on rainier if i thought that the cooper spur was too much - sure it's got a lot of exposure, but it's easy ground - slow n' steady n' w/ a 2nd tool and you're a god - once you get off the bad fall line down the n face you can bomb down it like a crazy man too!

 

there really is no beating the crowds on the s side - if the weather's halfway decent you'll have plenty of friends

 

if you havne't climbed hood b4, the s side's cool - but if you want to spend a night or 2 out and really see the mtn from its best side, the n or w sides are where its at

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Replies 39
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

What does coming from the east coast have to do with what route I climb? We have ice here too. I was just wondering if one route was used more for a descent route. I will get down. I'm a union ironworker. My life depends on me paying close attention to every single step I take.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

i for one wasn't doubting you - i came from the wrong coast too :)

 

hood and rainier are far more extreme snow slogs than ice climbs

 

dude's comment may have been a result of the fact that a few non-locals (including a new jerseyite) have gotten the chop on the hood-wand lately, perhaps because of vacation-pressures and inexperience with the area - i doubt he meant offense

 

enjoy!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I don't think it's too much. I was just looking for some beta. I'm not looking to take the easy way up. That's not my style. (I think I would rather fail on a hard route than cruise an easy route) Besides, I'm in no rush to get off the mountain and back on a plane to come home to the daily stuff.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

If conditions are good (that is, well-frozen) getting down CS is straightforward. There have been some fatal accidents (and near-misses) on thsi route over the years. Typically what has happened is that a party has descended later in the day on softer snow and lost their footing due to balled-up crampons. Rope teams have gotten badly banged up on the rocks close to the summit and/or some unfortunatel souls have taken a long ride onto the top of the Eliot Icefall and perished.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The media can move right into 4 star quarters as if on vacation then step out into the howling wind and sleet for the dramatic 2 min. broadcast about the unfortunates lost on the mt, then walk right back into the bar and warm up with a hot toddy.

2nd most climbed Mt in the world they say, behind Mt Fuji in Japan.

 

Yep, just like on Eiger in the recent "North Face" movie. The train to the summit is missing though.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

Actually there is a guide book! Someone beat you to it Bill, 70 years ago!

 

history_001.jpg

 

Just in case your local book store is out of copies here's the cooper spur route description. (aka Route 2)

history_004.jpg

 

Don't forget to bring some grease for the sun!

history_003.jpg

 

And bring an extra tobacco pipe in case you drop one in a crevasse.

history_002.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Don't forget to bring an extra apple, Mr Clam :D

 

My research finds there have been 18 lives lost on Cooper Spur, starting with Barbara Drum, Sept 3, 1924, rockfall. Most fatalities have been on descent, contributing factors being soft snow, high winds, ice & rockfall. All have occurred during late Spring through late Summer. That said, thousands have successfully done the Cooper Spur route. Many recommend descending the SS, a few prefer return via the Sunshine route. Be damn sure of the weather and double-damn sure that you can find the start of your chosen descent path in a cold windy icy white-out.

 

 

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.




×
×
  • Create New...