June 27, 2009, Mt Hood, West Crater Route
6/27/09
OR Mt Hood
2199
3
After summiting, Nick Clyma and I skied off of Mt Hood's West Crater this afternoon. See pic's below. The route is melting out in places, and it may be mostly skiable for a couple more weeks.
We enhanced a little platform on the top of the narrow ridge just west of the summit, clicked in and went. Dynafit bindings and small ledges don't seem to mix well. Conditions weren't horrible, but it was a little icy under soft snow. Lots and lots of boot tracks and minor sun cups on the upper bit made it slightly less than optimal, but by 12:30, the snow had softened up enough to make it enjoyable. Always interesting to ski off something somewhat steep with no warm up turns.
Between the Hogsback and the ski field, conditions ranged from outstanding smooth and soft snow, to bumpy, icy and grabby. The ski field proper was nice but even there the snow was a little slow in some places.
All in all, another great day in the mountains.
We enhanced a little platform on the top of the narrow ridge just west of the summit, clicked in and went. Dynafit bindings and small ledges don't seem to mix well. Conditions weren't horrible, but it was a little icy under soft snow. Lots and lots of boot tracks and minor sun cups on the upper bit made it slightly less than optimal, but by 12:30, the snow had softened up enough to make it enjoyable. Always interesting to ski off something somewhat steep with no warm up turns.
Between the Hogsback and the ski field, conditions ranged from outstanding smooth and soft snow, to bumpy, icy and grabby. The ski field proper was nice but even there the snow was a little slow in some places.
All in all, another great day in the mountains.
some pics from Saturday. The Darth Vader looking character in the last photo had an attitude to match his mask and slacks.
Sweet! Conditions in the chute are starting to look "not so fun" for skiing, but the lower portions are still in good shape.
Ouch! That chute at the top looks a little bony compared with the last time we did it. Glad you had a good day.
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