[TR] Speed Ascent of Mt. Hood -- 2:02'37 - South Side - Pearly Gates 4/10/2014

[Major Major]

Trip: Speed Ascent of Mt. Hood -- 2:02'37 - South Side - Pearly Gates

 

Date: 4/10/2014

 

Trip Report:

For about a year I have been curious about my top speed on the SS of Mt. Hood. With the fast and light style in mind, I still wanted to maintain the actual 'climbing' of Mt. Hood while reaching my max speed. So I decided to skin up on my 187s as high as possible then crampon on up the rest of the way. With the record-setting speed at 1:56, I knew it would be nearly impossible to beat the trail runner's record, as I was wearing ski boots/skis and crampons, and equipped with a whippet and small back pack. But still, maintaining the purity of the climb -- including climbing the Pearly Gates with ice -- meant something to me (even if not the hardest climb). I also know this was an unsanctioned, unwitnessed climb (apart from my climbing partner), but also unsupported. Whatever, I gave it my best and had a great time. Conditions were so-so. Wind was a little colder and faster than forecast, and the snow above Palmer was all chicken heads and punch-through snow. Further, the Pearly Gates, were, er, not so pearly. But, haven't we all had worse days. Again, this timing is based on the honor system, but I'm sure my friend can attest to the milestones i reached en route to the top. It was a typical blue sky day.

 

Gear Notes:

187 skis/skins

Sportiva ski boots

Trekking pole

Whippet

Small back-pack

Minor snacks

Helmet for safety

[keenwesh]

nice work, 6-7 min off the record isn't too shabby

[Ben Beckerich]

nice work, 6-7 min off the record isn't too shabby

 

There's an official record?

[rocky_joe]

Is that a c2c time? Strong work! Such a rad feeling to know how fast you can do something, whether or not it's a record.

[Major Major]

Nope. Just to summit.

[Major Major]

Here's the record. Apparently he ran up the mountain in sneakers with 2 poles.

 

http://www.mlive.com/sports/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2013/02/mountain_running_is_passion_fo.html

 

Edited April 11, 2014 by Major Major

[astrov]

All true, too. You'll smash the record next time.

[Ben Beckerich]

So what about that doctor who claimed car-to-car in under 2 hours? I never really believed it, myself... but I've always had a hard time finding any kind of official records for Hood.

[Ben Beckerich]

My fastest time, almost a full hour longer than your time posted today, was done in hiking boots and contact strap crampons... you'd probably move a lot faster on foot on hard snow.

 

I'll race you, next time

[astrov]

BB- I was 3:10 t-line to summit in full-shanked sportivas today. Will try for 2:40 before season end.

Edited April 11, 2014 by astrov

[spadden]

Nice time! We are planning to climb Hood for the first time the week of April 21. Any info you could give on conditions would be great. Ice on the Pearly gates? How much? Verticle? Crevases? Thanks for any help you could provide.

sean

[Major Major]

My sense is that between now and mid to late April a lot of the precarious snow situated in cornices and vertical rock will have fallen, but if there are still loose pieces, one must take caution.

 

Conditions were mixed on my climb. Chicken head ice in the trianble moraine and then higher up there was variable crusty, icy, and even punch-through snow. The Pearly Gates were definitely preferable to the old chute because of the directness of the route and the nice yet low-angle ice step. Bring an ice axe or just a tool. Steel crampons are preferred if you want to descend the Pearly Gates, which I recommend.

 

Other than that, the condition for your climb could vary depending on weather between now and then.

[Major Major]

Also, the berg is completely filled in.

[JasonG]

Was your companion a dog, perhaps?

[Major Major]

Ha ha! That reference resonates with me in so many ways. Nah man, just a fun day out with fellow climbing partner, Astrov. Now I need to do some real climbing.

[JasonG]

Glad it hit the spot. That is a fast time, nicely done.

[spadden]

Thanks for the info. Very helpful.

[astrov]

On the Internet, nobody knows that you're a dog. Woof woof!

[ivan]

major major major major

[The Cascade Kid]

Very nice work. What kind of ski kit are you on, and did you carry your skis to the top?

 

Some things about the prior speed record doesn't with me, I have to say. The record holder makes a big deal about having an official timer and implicitly discredits ascents without one.

 

In my view, any record attempt/break should simply require honest reporting. Yours is a great example. Now that the game is down to a matter of minutes, it becomes important to mention the precise start and end points, but the athlete's watch should be an adequate measure of his/her effort.

 

Also, why is Mt Hood subject to a one-way record? Mt Rainier stands as a car-to-car effort, and that makes a lot more sense.

[Major Major]

I must say, the c2c time would be much harder to achieve. For me, descending has always been the challenge but also the delight when skiing.

 

I ditched the skis at the top of palmer and transitioned to crampons. The transition sucks up time, for sure. But, I simply refuse to 'climb' that mountain without skis. No one should walk off that mountain, ever. When I carry skis to the top it takes much longer, like 2:30.

 

The guy who set the record did it in sneakers. I'm tempted to try but apprehensive to do it sans climbing with crampons, axe, etc. His aim was to open up the realm of Trail running. My message: speed is safety, plain and simple.

 

Ski gear: 187 dynafit manaslu, sportiva spitfire, and broken dynafit bindings, among other a acoutrements.