Mount Hood - 4 Man Snow Cave Available

[Adam W]

After the wind destroyed our tent, we were forced to dig in at illumination saddle. It's a nice cave. I hope some other folks can get use out of it.

[mattp]

Thanks for the share. But the user better get there quick. The drift will settle, and it won't be long before it is only 1 foot high.

[genepires]

better that than collapse on somebody walking ontop of it.

[Seamstress]

Much depends on the weather. I've seen snow caves last all season.

 

[sobo]

Well, given the time of year it is, I don't give it very long at all...

[JasonG]

Thanks for the cave! We crashed in it for a half hour or so yesterday while waiting for it to get light. Considering how cold and windy it was at the saddle, we certainly wouldn't have tarried as long without it.

 

Four people must have been tight, though much better than a shredded tent. Did you have to dig it in the middle of the night? Sounds like an adventure.....

[Adam W]

Oh, thats great! I'm glad you got to use it. The space was a little cozy for 4, but we were happy and warm. I think we started digging around 1pm and finished just before 4.

Edited December 6, 2011 by Adam W

[YocumRidge]

After the wind destroyed our tent, we were forced to dig in at illumination saddle.

 

I hear you on those winds, man. Dont believe NOAA when they say it is going to be 30 mph - we had a full on 60 on the north side and it took us awhile to pitch in our guy on screws and tools and that quickly turned into a half snow cave in the continuous spin drifts coming down the face at 9200'!

 

 

[dougd]

Pics taken 10:30am Sunday from + - 8000' on Cooper Spur... Show two climbers descending the Elliot glacier...

I talked to a guy that had made it into the chimney's before descending due to high winds... Said it was blowing him around pretty good up there...

 

 

Sure was a pretty day... Wasn't real windy where I was but even in the sun it was pretty cold. Snow conditions are stellar right now imo.

 

 

d

[Water]

pics taken 8-10am Friday 12/2

 

we turned around at terminus of the spur/start of the climb

 

1) avy forecast overall good but specifically called out higher elevation, steep, North through East slopes, especially gullies/areas in lee of wind with additional accumulation.

 

2) wind was wicked, turning us sideways when gusting

 

3) at base of spur an hour or so later than desired/freshness factor

 

 

[dougd]

Wow.

 

Great pics, much better than mine.

 

d

[kevino]

So did anyone hop on the NF? That schrund crossing looks exciting..

[Water]

so to the 4 man snow cave group, Adam W, how is the reid glacier looking for getting to leutholds?

 

guessing its probably a touch thin on the snowcover over there if its anything like over by cooper spur.

thanks

[JasonG]

We climbed the Reid HW on Monday, and there is no problem getting to Leuthold's. Easy walking, without any crevasse/'schrund shenanigans. I will try and post a TR in the next couple of days.

[G-spotter]

Is there a Y marking the entrance?

[sobo]

Is there a Y marking the entrance?

That was pretty crass, Dru.