10/1/2011, Mt. Hood Cooper Spur part 2
10/1/11
OR Mt Hood
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I had wanted to hit the Snow Dome for my October turns, but the bridge on the trail from Cloud Cap is apparently washed out, and a very large and deep ravine is now in it's place. So, after having such a good time the previous day, and with the weather taking a turn for the worse, I decided to hit the Cooper Spur again for my first October turns.
It was very cloudy, couldn't see the top of the mountain today, and at times, I couldn't even see Tie In Rock. It was about 20 degrees cooler, and the wind was still there. On the trail about 7am, skiing from the top of Tie In Rock about 11am. Could only muster two laps today, the snow was actually better than the day before, but the weather was getting worse, and I wanted to get down before the predicted rain came in. Back to camp by 2:30, fired up the grill for more chicken sausages and chili cheese fritos, and made preparations for the drive back to Boise.
October 2011, Month 12. First time making Turns All Year.
It was very cloudy, couldn't see the top of the mountain today, and at times, I couldn't even see Tie In Rock. It was about 20 degrees cooler, and the wind was still there. On the trail about 7am, skiing from the top of Tie In Rock about 11am. Could only muster two laps today, the snow was actually better than the day before, but the weather was getting worse, and I wanted to get down before the predicted rain came in. Back to camp by 2:30, fired up the grill for more chicken sausages and chili cheese fritos, and made preparations for the drive back to Boise.
October 2011, Month 12. First time making Turns All Year.
Congrats!
Congrats on the 12 months! The bridge across Eliot Cr has been washed out for some time. To hit Snowdome, hike up to the base of the Eliot Glacier and cross the lower glaicer (relatively crevasse free) and follow your nose from there. Sounds like you didn't need the Dome to have fun though ;)
Thank you FreeBird.
Thank you Stoudema. I was sitting on the deck of the Cloud Cap Inn on Friday night talking to a few of the Crag Rats about that route, while we were watching a ton of rockfall come off the right side ridge above the moraine. And while they were telling me about the most recent casualties and unrecovered climbers and skiers in that area over the years.
Skiing snow dome just didn't sound as fun as I had thought after that! And your right, the spur was plenty of fun.
Thank you Stoudema. I was sitting on the deck of the Cloud Cap Inn on Friday night talking to a few of the Crag Rats about that route, while we were watching a ton of rockfall come off the right side ridge above the moraine. And while they were telling me about the most recent casualties and unrecovered climbers and skiers in that area over the years.
Skiing snow dome just didn't sound as fun as I had thought after that! And your right, the spur was plenty of fun.
author=fanatic link=topic=21881.msg93699#msg93699 date=1317787431]
...we were watching a ton of rockfall come off the right side ridge above the moraine. And while they were telling me about the most recent casualties and unrecovered climbers and skiers in that area over the years.
Skiing snow dome just didn't sound as fun as I had thought after that! ...
Snowdome itself is very safe, but crossing Elliot glacier to get there can be hazardous. If you plan your trips to cross the glacier when temps are below freezing you'll be much safer. The tragic events you've heard about did not occur on Snowdome or the lower part of the glacier. Once you get above Snowdome then you are in no-fall zone territory.
In times of year when crevasses are not open and obvious and you are alone and concerned about punching through, follow the faint rock trail that leads from the old stone shelter (on Cooper Spur) down across the south side of the morraine and then cross below the snout and cut above immediately to the right of the seracs. When you get to the top of the snout, go right behind the cliffs and then up onto Snowdome.
Congrats on TAY! We were up on the S side of Hood that day. I missed September turns by a day and have to start at month one again... :(
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