First real trip of the season

The weather was looking good, it was Friday. Man it was hard but I decided to get some turns. Driving up the clouds did not look good so instead of summiting I figured I would at least make it to the top of the Mile or Palmer. I got a late start of 9 am. But soon I was greeted with this view








And this view. It was really cold in the clouds but as soon as I broke out of them it was as pleasant temperature. Mt. Hood is looking real good for climbing now. I made really good time to Silcox Hut in 35 min, then 45 to the top of Palmer. Then I really slowed down. It seemed like forever to get to just below the hogs back. I decided to turn around because I was getting tired, my feet felt like wooden blocks and time was running out for day light.

Altitude really kicked my butt. Well this is the first trip of the season. Check out the avi crown around the crater.


The ski down was one of the best trips down ever! The snow was not very powdery but a good hard pack the took edges like a dream. Wish I could have done laps up high. Once down I drove over to Cooper Spur Ski area and found a place for the tent. woke up the next moring to sleet. After getting a very late start of 10 am in warm temps I stripped down to my thinest pants and shirt with glove liners. Needless to say the sleet quickly turned to rain and the snow it the trees was melting off to further get me wet. The snow was sticking to my skins adding at least 10 extra pounts, ok well it seemed like it :) Since the ski was going to suck and I was not going to make it up to the stone shelter I decided to check out the Polallie Ridge trail. Other than breaking trail for 2.5 miles to the Tilly Jane Hut I really like that trail for heading up. However skiing down would not be that great, lot of flat spots and very tight trees. So up on Polallie and down Tilly Jane.