[TR] Mt Hood - Southside 2/10/2013

[alpine et]

Trip: Mt Hood - Southside

 

Date: 2/10/2013

 

Trip Report:

Headed up with my wife to climb Hood in the weather window this past weekend. Skinning was real easy up to Palmer lift. Right above the lift there was plenty of icy bumps that made it quicker to just boot it up. We learned later that if we had gone further climbers left we probably could have skinned efficiently all the way to Hogsback. Being our first time, and still dark, we just threw the skis on packs.

 

We went up the Old Chute, which had plenty of traffic on it the last few days, with fairly solid steps for the most part. There were a few 10-15' sections of frontpointing required, which was OK on the way up and spicy on the way down. Not bad, just slowed us down more than planned. 4" light snow on bulletproof wasn't too much fun.

 

Skiing was great when icy chunks could be avoided, which was usually easily enough to do. A bit scratchy above Hogsback, nicer skiers right on the way down and the groomer cruiser run on the way to the car was excellent. Great trip to a beautiful and unique (to us) summit!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gear Notes:

The norm.

 

Approach Notes:

Drive, walk up ski area.

[sweatinoutliquor]

Congrats to you and yer wife, and thanks for sharing some beautiful pics!