Mt Hood's new Howitzer and Newton Creek Access?

Please let us know where you ski.

Here's my contribution which I'm sure is ordinary:

I usually take to Newton in powder days and stay in or near the trees at A and lower, sometimes even laps on the south side of lower Pea Gravel in the trees. In spring conditions (no avy danger) I go higher up Pea Gravel which takes me down B. Usually the trip home involves a final a ride down lower C (near the A) if it's not too crusty.

Hey folks -

On February 5th, there is a movie night in Portland to benefit the Madrone Wall Preservation Committee.  Meadows folks will be there discussing their avy control operations and their uphill and backcountry access policies.  We invited them to the event, because we have heard increasing concerns about conflicts and public access.  Please show up if you're interested in getting information straight from the source and letting them know what you think.

I just asked the FS about no uphill skiing, since until now I was under the impression ski areas could only charge for rides, not restrict access. The response I got was the ski area can restrict access IF the FS says they can which they have done for the first time this year. They said they did this because BC types have ignored closed signs and there have been close calls last year and because of the new artillery.

Apparently there has always been a county law that while you can ski into an area you can't exit it (except vis parking lot?).

Certainly the new rule is easier to communicate and there can be no misunderstandings, lower liability. Also if some of areas above the skiout are closed they don't have to mark them closed except at the top, or maybe the sides if folks would traverse down into them. It would also make it easier to catch folks going into a closed run since they could be spotted going up or down a closed area, but also going up the ski out.

I would like to see them open up the skiout at least when eveyrthing is open, heather is running, private reserve is open etc. I doubt that will happen if people keep breaking the rules. Closing the rest of the ski area seems like overkill as well, but is something MHM would like to do anyway?

At least they let you go up the skiout to cross Clark Creek since that is sometimes the only way across Clark Creek.

I did notice an avalanche on Newton looked like it came right thru the gates of the mtn. Probably natural given the extreme hazard they had recently?

Did anyone attend the Hollywood theater event? Any comments about the discussion of the closures or Howitzer?

Did anyone attend the Hollywood theater event?  Any comments about the discussion of the closures or Howitzer?

Christ, I truly wish I could have been there. Unfortunately I was busy skiing in a wilderness area where there were no bomb threats. It was less than exhilarating to experience backcountry adventure outside of the war-zone. Oh well, I guess there is always Afghanistan.