Trip report by Bill DeYoung
Bill, training for Mt. Rainier, climbed Mt. St. Helens and attempted Mount Hood. We're looking forward to his report on climbing Rainier!
This training attempt on Mount Hood was a wipe-out. After driving in heavy rain from Centralia to Timberline, we met at the climbers' registry at 2am with wind whipping sleet in all directions and a sign on the wall declaring Severe Avalanche Danger on all routes. Our leader called the climb.
Some of us stayed over and geared up at 7:30am and walked up to the Silcox skiers hut at 7,000'. Still windy with enough snow to sting your face, but not cold. We bagged the idea of going up another 1,000' and went down to the Huckleberry Inn in Government Camp for pancakes.
Of course the next day was the accident that killed the guy form Portland. Not conditions for inexperienced climbers, which we are.
Note: This is backcountry wilderness travel. Any trail can become very dangerous in winter conditions. You are responsible for informing yourself of the hazards and taking the necessary precautions. Please read Terms of Use.