This view is from about 45 miles out. I couldn't tell from here if it was blowing snow, clouds, or fog at the top.
As we got closer, it got colder, and yes, it was blowing snow at the top. It was a hard cutting wind. About 28 degrees and 20MPH winds. I was dreading the next day.
This was Dee's first major climb. She really didn't know what to expect. Here we were enjoying a nice dinner the night before.
Here's Dee again, at the trailhead sign on summit morning. It started out pretty cold, just below 30 degrees. Luckily for us, the wind had died down. I was so relieved. I couldn't imagine her having to fight that and the elevation gains. Sidenote: Go ahead and rent a four wheel drive for this one. The little economy car I rented bottomed out repeatedly!
The first mile or so is fairly level. It does offer multiple paths, many unmarked options, but the main trail is USUALLY easy to follow. A couple of short backtracks could be neccesary, however.
I recommend looking back often during this first mile. On your return, it will help you in getting back if you save a mental picture. It could be confusing. I kept remembering Diane Winger in the "Highpoint Adventures" book being lost here. I didn't want to relive that. Here's looking back from the picture taken above.
This tree is typical of an old forest on the left as you approach the obvious trail almost straight ahead. I read a trip report the night before that recommended trying this left side approach to avoid the steep approach in front. Don't do it.
I'll tell you why later.
Here's where I veered left. Sure, it is easier down here in the trees, but you can't really see above them. It gets much harder there, but you certainly don't want to go back down and start over.
Now I'm pondering my choice. Instead of climbing this increasingly steep, and loose rock terrain, we (I) decided to cut ACROSS the boulder strewn steep mountainside.
Warning: mountainside is much larger than it appears. Say, well over a mile. This added at least 3-4 hours to our day.
Here's Dee scrabling across the boulder field. They ranged from the size of a basketball to the size of a refridgerator. We fell often, and the going was slow.
Here I'm being cursed. By both Dee and myself.
Finally, a look up at the last leg. It's only a little over half a mile. It's now about 3:30. I want to summit, but I'm afraid of losing light and getting lost, so I give myself just under an hour. From here up I was too tired and rushed to take photos. It was very difficult scrambling.
At last, a view from the top:
And we went back down the way we should have gone up, although it was slick with snow, loose pea sized scree, and very steep. We fell some more. We even glissaded down on our bottoms at times. It was getting dark, as well. The last mile to the parking lot was difficult, but all my backwards looking at the beginning paid off.
Our trophies: two shredded pairs of ski pants....
We finally located the car. Only to get lost for another hour trying to drive back to the highway!
Thanks for going with me, Dee! I'm running out of people to highpoint with!
Hopefully in 2008 I can return to Mt. Hood, and perhaps tackle Utah...
