April 27, 2015, Mt. Hood, Sunshine route

I attempted a solo run of the sunshine route Monday morning and unfortunately didn't make it past unstable snow above the Elliot glacier and below snow dome.  The Elliot glacier had 2 visible open cracks where I crossed but was overall safe and straight forward.  The unstable snow started as you climb up from the Elliot glacier towards snow dome.  There was about a 1" frozen crust followed by 14" of loose wet snow sitting on a slab.  I was postholing up the snow slope until I started hearing crackling noises and decided to turn around.  I had been told by some elder climbers that these lower slopes don't ever slide but there are dangerous slopes just above snow dome that do slide regularly.  I didn't want to risk moving any further though.

I am going to make another attempt at this climb a little later in the season after that slope consolidates.  I'm always open to climbing partners.