|
|
|
|
|
|
Turns All Year Trip Reports
(1) Viewing these pages constitutes your acceptance of the Terms of Use.
(2) Disclaimer: the accuracy of information here is unknown, use at your own risk.
(3) Trip Report monthly boards: only actual trip report starts a new thread.
(4) Keep it civil and constructive - that is the norm here. |
|
|
|
|
Author
|
Topic: April 1st Newton Creek Mt. Hood (Read 1423 times)
|
Edgesport
Member
Offline
Posts: 197
|
Wow! I assumed everything would be wind effected considering the telemetry from the night before but you never truly know unless your there. We started late to allow the winds to abate and topped out around 6000 in manageable winds and huge cornices. We found deep consolidated cold snow, no propagation, cracking, or slabbing and minimal sloughing with temps in the mid 20's. Two great runs in the bowl and one super amazing old growth tree run on the North East side and a sweet exit run onto the Clark West wall down to Heather.
As we coasted out the Heather cat track we were alone, the resort had closed heather, but we came across a person sitting on a snow bank in a red coat, black pants, hood up, no gear, and still as a corps. I asked twice if they were okay as we glided up with no answer... they didn't even move a glove. I thought OMG this person is in shock or frozen stiff dead... then my partner who was ahead of me realized it was a dummy in a Meadows coat evidently parked on the side of the trail to deter uphill traffic from going into Heather. That was pretty scary!
|
 newton4.jpg (83.13 KB, 597x800 - viewed 1009 times.)
newton2.jpg (59.48 KB, 960x720 - viewed 1012 times.)
newton3.jpg (30.96 KB, 597x800 - viewed 1004 times.)
|
|
« Last Edit: 04/02/12, 06:53 AM by Edgesport »
|
Logged
|
"Whether you think you can, or think you can't, your right"
|
|
|
DG
Member
Offline
Posts: 191
|
Looks nice in there. That's pretty funny about the "skicrow". Who said ski patrollers aren't creative?
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
OldHouseMan
Member
Offline
Posts: 227
|
I wander what the Meadows policy is on skiing into the closed area from above? I know they are sticklers about climbing into the closed area from the bottom. I have to assume that the policy is the same if coming in from the top or the bottom.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
acinpdx
5Member
Offline
Posts: 27
|
I wander what the Meadows policy is on skiing into the closed area from above? I know they are sticklers about climbing into the closed area from the bottom. I have to assume that the policy is the same if coming in from the top or the bottom.
While the link only addresses going out, I believe they will pull your season pass (if you have one) if you enter from OB - "closed boundary policy". they don't want to be loose a slide on skiers returning from OB.
http://www.skihood.com/The-Mountain/Safety/Know-Your-Boundaries
maybe there's a Mt Hood patroller on here who can comment further...
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
acinpdx
5Member
Offline
Posts: 27
|
edgesport, looks like you hit it right!
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
Koda
Member
Offline
Posts: 221
|
I wander what the Meadows policy is on skiing into the closed area from above?
I have heard rumors that they will have you arrested if entering any closed area due to avalanche work in progress. You can't validate that on their website (which is a shame) but they do post when avalanche work is in progress where they clearly state to "stay out of the permit area"... one can assume this means re-entry up or down.
http://www.skihood.com/The-Mountain/Safety/Avalanche-Reduction-Operations
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
lightweight, cheap, strong... pick 2
|
|
|
Split007
1Member
Offline
Posts: 4
|
We descended the canyon just before you guys. Yes, the cornices were BIG. After some slope evaluation (CT4Q3 15cm, and CT24Q2 75cm) we decided it was good to go...however on the skin up I noticed settlement and cracking, so we decided to head back on Pea Gravel ridge(south facing), where we then set off a shallow slab, 50 feet wide and 6-8 inches deep, on a roller ski cut . Not too bad, but it ran. It was surely "Considerable" out there.
Also, we spoke with the MHM Patrollers at the "Test Dummy" site on the walk in, and they were very helpful in sharing information about control work that was done earlier in the day. I have been lectured by MHM patrol in the past for going up the canyon during control work, and while we have every right to be there(according to the USFS), Hood River County has other ideas...also, MHM has a Howitzer cannon, and I hear it's not very accurate!
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
christoph benells
5Member
Offline
Posts: 84
|
a buddy of mine was forced by MHM to take an avy class after poaching gods wall on a closed day.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
Edgesport
Member
Offline
Posts: 197
|
Also, we spoke with the MHM Patrollers at the "Test Dummy" site on the walk in, and they were very helpful in sharing information about control work that was done earlier in the day. I have been lectured by MHM patrol in the past for going up the canyon during control work, and while we have every right to be there(according to the USFS), Hood River County has other ideas...also, MHM has a Howitzer cannon, and I hear it's not very accurate!
Wait... you skinned up Heather cat track to the Skicrow? (that's a keeper DG) That is a long way past the "Closed to uphill traffic" sign lower on the cat track. LOL I find it hard to deny myself the West wall on good days. I know it is technically not allowed but there is a perfect run from top to bottom that starts right near.... well another time perhaps, but the exit is definitely within reach of big slides from Wy'East like the one last year (link below). Even with all the snow this year we could see the 3 foot diameter broken splintered tree trunks. I really hope that thing releases soon because White River, Clark, and Newton are all in danger with the load Wy'East is carrying this year!
http://www.skihood.com/Community-and-News/Meadows-Blog/Posts/2010/01/Anatomy-of-an-Avalanche
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
"Whether you think you can, or think you can't, your right"
|
|
|
Split007
1Member
Offline
Posts: 4
|
At the Heather canyon chairlift there is another small sign that specifies "no uphill traffic beyond this point". The MHM Patrollers we met mentioned that this is where we should head up the ridge toward Newton canyon.
Once again, if MHM is not doing control work, then BC travelers have every right to continue up Clark Canyon. You will not be arrested or forced to take avy classes (although you really should take a class).
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
Koda
Member
Offline
Posts: 221
|
Once again, if MHM is not doing control work, then BC travelers have every right to continue up Clark Canyon.
its was my understanding that you are not allowed entry if the area is mearly closed to resort skiers, not just control work, uphill or down. This is where Meadows could do a better job clarifying.
What makes this deceiving is sometimes they open only the lower Heather canyon to resort skiers, but leave upper Heather closed... and then they can close it all again at any time during the day. So what was earlier a legal descent of the West wall, might be illegal later in the day. Even more so if they closed it for more control work above.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
lightweight, cheap, strong... pick 2
|
|
|
MJS
5Member
Offline
Posts: 37
|
My wife and I were up there on Sunday as well. We skied up to the huge cornices at the start of the bowl, but it was feeling really wind affected and we assumed the bowl would be slabby. We skied a run a bit down the ridge from the bowl and found the fresh 6 to 12 inches were quite reactive soft slabs. Any roll over in the terrain was easily ski triggered. We measured the bed surface of one start zone at 40 degrees. These soft slabs quickly fell apart and did not go very far, but we decided it was enough activity to send us home after one lap.
We skied the west face into Heather as well and were quite surprised by the skicrow. I am not sure what the goal of hauling a mannequin with ski boots and a patrol jacket up the mountain would be. I also agree that Meadows could really help themselves by being more clear about their backcountry policies. The sign sure does not make you feel very welcome to be on Forest Service land after paying to park in the public SnoPark. Although every patroller I have met in the canyon has been super nice and helpful with information from their control work.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
Split007
1Member
Offline
Posts: 4
|
The MHM Corporation merely holds the permits to operate a business on public land. It is not private land, therefore you have the right as a taxpayer to be there, and my conversations several years ago with the Forest Service confirmed this. If you'd like to find out the specifics, contact the Hood River Ranger station, and ask for the officer that handles the permits for MHM.
However, I believe that cooperation with the MHM Patrol is essential for everyone's safety, and that BC travelers should extend every courtesy. The patrollers are knowledgable, have valuable information to share, and could someday help to save your A--.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
DG
Member
Offline
Posts: 191
|
I am not sure what the goal of hauling a mannequin with ski boots and a patrol jacket up the mountain would be.
It's probably just an extra measure to try to deter people from heading up the canyon on days when the avy danger is high. It's at least cheaper than paying a patroller to stand there all day, although I guess it depends on how convincing it looks...
|
|
|
|
« Last Edit: 04/03/12, 03:08 PM by DG »
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
Patarero
5Member
Offline
Posts: 44
|
Go to the first sign if it says open proceed, if not go through potato patch. If its open continue on to the next sign and hit the ridge from there. Why would anyone want to go up through there when they are doing control work?
Guessing the "skicrow" was more about the concern of wy'east going big this past weekend. I really do not think you have every right to be there, especially in a closed inbounds/sidecountry area. Don't you become meadow's responsibility once inside their zone and could potentially put others in danger if you get into a sticky situation?
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
johnspeth
5Member
Offline
Posts: 34
|
Just to stir the pot a little, I too think MHM management assumes too much ownership of the public land on which it's licensed to operate the ski area. It's public land, plain and simple. Read these two documents regarding the rules under which they operate:
http://tinyurl.com/86ux293
http://tinyurl.com/7qsdwe2
They are bound to these rules. Unfortunately the Hood River County sheriff and an officer of the Forest Service seems to side closer to MHM than other users. At least that was the way it was several years ago when they started the KEEP OUT policy. The docs leave a lot open to legal interpretation. And I'm sure the MHM lawyers are taking as favorable interpretation as possible to cover their asses in the event a climber is caught in an avalanche due to their avy reduction operations (or worse, takes a hit from the Howitzer).
As I see it, the agreement is only as good as the enforcement. MHM needs to take a friendlier position and welcome the BC community. They're better than they were several years ago but they have a long ways to go.
|
|
|
|
« Last Edit: 04/07/12, 06:30 PM by johnspeth »
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
Thank you to our sponsors!
|
Contact turns-all-year.com
Turns All Year Trip Reports ©2001-2010 Turns All Year LLC. All Rights Reserved
The opinions expressed in posts are those of the poster and do not necessarily
reflect the opinions of Trip Reports administrators or Turns All Year LLC
|
Turns All Year Trip Reports | Powered by SMF 1.0.6.
© 2001-2005, Lewis Media. All Rights Reserved.
|
Page created in 0.209 seconds with 22 queries.
|
