July 1, 2007, Hogsback/Crater Rock, Mt Hood

Todd and I climbed up to the bergshrund on Hood's southside at about 10,700 feet.  We got a somewhat later start from the parking lot at about 5:45.  We were able to skin up to about 9000 feet before switching to crampons.  The snow was firm all the way up.  A large lenticular cloud kept the upper mountain concealed for several hours in the morning.  We waited at about 9000 feet for an hour pondering our options.  The cloud eventually moved on and so did we. 

We reached 10,700 feet and the bergshrund at about 12:15.  The climbers on the mountain were heading up the Mazama route.  A skier and snowboarder came down from the summit, but conditions didn't look too favorable for riding.  After talking with some climbers, we decided to head down rather than boot up to the top for the last 500 feet.

The ride down was great.  The snow above 10,000 feet was corned enough to get a good edge in.  Below Crater Rock the skiing and riding was excellent.  We rode out to the Zigzag glacier and harvested some of the best corn of the year.  Below the Zigzag, we entered the ski area and rode the groomed runs all the way to the lodge.  All in all it was 4700 feet of vertical with a joy-o-meter of 100%.  Not bad for the first of July.