April 18, 2009, Mt Hood, South-side Old Chute

On Saturday morning four of us started up Mt. Hood.  2 on Skis, 2 w/o.  We started moving at 5:30 AM, and the two of us on skins skinned up to the top of the chairs no problem. Above that it got rather icy and we decided to carry our skis. There was a solid boot trail up to the summit from the top of the chair, but it was useful when ascending the old-chute to use ice axe and crampons.  We skied off the summit, but the chute was really less than desirable skiing.  No slides, rock, or ice fall, but it was certainly warming up when we skied off the top!  The skiing was decent, it would be hard to truly complain (Hit summit around 10:30, skied off around 11:30, back before 12:30).  A little bird told us that going down skiers right of crater rock was much better and so we did.  It would be wise to be aware of an overhang and mini-bergshrund on that route.  Overall great day!