"Because it's there."

[Peregrinator]

Perg, what is up with Mt. Hood? Why are there so many people trying to climb it that have no sense?

I'm not sure that it's people with no sense. Hood is one of those mountains like Mt Washington in NH, which also sees many, many rescue missions every year, that sorta suck people in. It's a dramatic presence on the landscape and on a good day can be climbed in a single day, but it has quickly changing weather and serious technical terrain. It's also a good challenge for intermediate climbers, so there may be a fair number of people who overstep their abilities there as well. A good place for people to suffer from "intermediate syndrome."

 

[Peregrinator]

Nope. Not me. I wish it was. What a banner day.

Oh, I was sure it was you in that pic, all bundled up. Yeah, weather like that...damn.

 

[thør]

Oh, I was sure it was you in that pic, all bundled up. Yeah, weather like that...damn.

More photos at this gallery.

 

[veryblueeyes]

I'm not sure that it's people with no sense. Hood is one of those mountains like Mt Washington in NH, which also sees many, many rescue missions every year, that sorta suck people in. It's a dramatic presence on the landscape and on a good day can be climbed in a single day, but it has quickly changing weather and serious technical terrain. It's also a good challenge for intermediate climbers, so there may be a fair number of people who overstep their abilities there as well. A good place for people to suffer from "intermediate syndrome."

These three went up without protective overnight gear. They spent hours of people's time to save them.

I understand what you are saying, but my goodness, at least have overnight gear, just in case.

 

[atmas]

I'm not sure that it's people with no sense. Hood is one of those mountains like Mt Washington in NH, which also sees many, many rescue missions every year, that sorta suck people in. It's a dramatic presence on the landscape and on a good day can be climbed in a single day, but it has quickly changing weather and serious technical terrain. It's also a good challenge for intermediate climbers, so there may be a fair number of people who overstep their abilities there as well. A good place for people to suffer from "intermediate syndrome."

I don't personally have much experience with Hood other than seeing it from the plane, but what you've said does indeed make it reminiscent of NH's Washington, for all the folderol that can take place on it. You climb up it amid signs warning that "Severe weather can kill, even in summer." You summit thinking you're Edmund Hillary, only to arrive at a parking lot with tour buses containing blue hairs from Jersey. It removes just a bit of the prestige of what you just accomplished...but those signs aren't kidding. People have died on Washington in every month of the calendar year, even if it wasn't any of the blue hairs.

 

[veryblueeyes]

Just running up and giving Atmas a

 

[Peregrinator]

These three went up without protective overnight gear. They spent hours of people's time to save them.

I understand what you are saying, but my goodness, at least have overnight gear, just in case.

If I ever climb it, it's really likely that I'll be carrying minimal gear. There are two schools of thought when it comes to decisions like that; one is the sort of traditional approach, to carry everything you need to spend a couple nights out in case you don't get up and down that fast. The other is to minimize as much as possible. The first is justified by what you're saying, that if a cloud bank rolls in, you're going to get stuck. If anything happens, you're going to need all that stuff. The second is justified by the idea that if you go "fast and light" the chances of needing any of that stuff are minimized. The less time you spend on the mountain, the less chance there is that anything will happen; you won't be there five hours from now when that fog rolls in. Both schools of thought have a place, certainly, and the second one requires a higher level of skill, training, knowledge, self-sufficiency, judgement, etc, but if you maximize the stuff you're in control of, then you can shed weight and minimize the risks posed by stuff you can't control.

 

[atmas]

Just running up and giving Atmas a

Back atcha, with a bit of groping as well.

 

[veryblueeyes]

Back atcha, with a bit of groping as well.

Ok, your best friend just made me drool in his explanation.

Grope away. Still firm now, eh? *flirting*

 

[atmas]

Ok, your best friend just made me drool in his explanation.

Grope away. Still firm now, eh? *flirting*

There never will be a time when "firm" is an inappropriate adjective.

 

[veryblueeyes]

There never will be a time when "firm" is an inappropriate adjective.

I try to never compromise on terms, nor feats.

 

[Peregrinator]

Smith Rock tomorrow!!!!!

I haven't been rock climbing since the last time I was there...a year ago this weekend....Off the couch Baybeeeeeee!!!!!

Watch this space for pics of us flailing like gumbies on easy stuff.....

 

[veryblueeyes]

I hope you have a fabulous time. I meant to post to you about the 18 year old lady that has scaled all seven major peaks. It was a prime weather condition for Everest this time. She has been training since around 10-11 years old. I am sure that you have seen the news.

Come back safe, Perg. Happy Memorial Day weekend.

 

[Collette]

Smith Rock tomorrow!!!!!

I haven't been rock climbing since the last time I was there...a year ago this weekend....Off the couch Baybeeeeeee!!!!!

Watch this space for pics of us flailing like gumbies on easy stuff.....

"For my part, I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel's sake. The great affair is to move."
~ Robert Louis Stevenson

Safe journey to you and Lady P!

 

[Peregrinator]

Thanks, ladies. I'm completely safe. This was a lesson in what you can forget over the course of a year. We got swatted on 5.7, though we both made it to the top of the pitch, and then played on 5.6 or 7 on toprope. Nothing pic-worthy, but a good weekend nonetheless. There's something about Smith...it's such a beautiful, amazing place. Last night we went to a slideshow by Allan Watts, who was one of the pioneering climbers there, and saw people climbing so much harder than I ever have, back in the seventies....the history of climbing is full of pioneers, incredibly brave people who pushed the standards in immensely courageous and visionary ways. It's always great to see one of them talk about his experiences.

I'm not posting any pics because A) I didn't take many, and B) the ones I did take were not of climbing.

 

[BeBe81]

Thanks, ladies. I'm completely safe. This was a lesson in what you can forget over the course of a year. We got swatted on 5.7, though we both made it to the top of the pitch, and then played on 5.6 or 7 on toprope. Nothing pic-worthy, but a good weekend nonetheless. There's something about Smith...it's such a beautiful, amazing place. Last night we went to a slideshow by Allan Watts, who was one of the pioneering climbers there, and saw people climbing so much harder than I ever have, back in the seventies....the history of climbing is full of pioneers, incredibly brave people who pushed the standards in immensely courageous and visionary ways. It's always great to see one of them talk about his experiences.

I'm not posting any pics because A) I didn't take many, and B) the ones I did take were not of climbing.

Welcome home! Glad you had a fun weekend!

No pictures!

 

[Peregrinator]

Welcome home! Glad you had a fun weekend!

No pictures!

Thanks! It was a great weekend, even though we got swatted hard. Smith is such a beautiful place, it's hard to be unhappy there, even if you suck, which we did, with great aplomb. You can't really not climb for a year and then expect to have much success....

 

[BeBe81]

Thanks! It was a great weekend, even though we got swatted hard. Smith is such a beautiful place, it's hard to be unhappy there, even if you suck, which we did, with great aplomb. You can't really not climb for a year and then expect to have much success....

I am sure yous did great! Glad the weather was on your side, and it turned out to be a fun weekend. Nothing bad about that.

 

[Peregrinator]

I am sure yous did great! Glad the weather was on your side, and it turned out to be a fun weekend. Nothing bad about that.

Nothing especially bad, no. We had a great relaxing couple days and got back on the rock. That's all you can really ask for. It's supposed to br fun, after all, otherwise, why do it?

 

[Peregrinator]

In my email today:


A man's wife asks him to go to the store to buy some cigarettes. He walks down to the store only to find it closed, so he goes into a nearby bar to use the vending machine. At the bar he sees a beautiful woman and starts talking to her. They have a couple of beers, one thing leads to another and they end up at her apartment. After they've had their fun, he realizes its 3AM and says, "Oh, shoot! My wife's going to kill me! Have you got any talcum powder?" She gives him some talcum powder, which he quickly rubs on his hands. When he gets home his wife is waiting for him in the doorway and she is really pissed off. "Where the hell have you been?!?!" "Well, honey, I went to the store like you asked, but they were closed. So I went to the bar to use the vending machine. I saw this great looking chick there and we had a few drinks and one thing led to another and I ended up in bed with her." "Oh yeah?" She grabs his hands, which are covered with white powder, and screams, "You liar! You went climbing again!!!

 

[Collette]

In my email today: ...

Ha!

 

[Peregrinator]

Ha!

Ooh! Ooh! 999! Post one more time in my thread!

One of those jokes that starts off like you shouldn't tell Mom, and then finishes with Mom not getting it.

 

[thør]

In my email today:

LOL........

 

[thør]

A typical day hike destination in my 'hood.

http://www.alaskabike.com/images/WDOmalley.jpg

 

[Guest]

A typical day hike destination in my 'hood.

http://www.alaskabike.com/images/WDOmalley.jpg

Incredible.

I came, I saw, I conquored..

a 5.8 overhang..