On Saturday May 5th, 2012 I'll be coordinating a Snow Skills Clinic on Mt Hood along with Bryon Snapp. This is an opportunity for climbers of all levels to test and improve their fitness and add to their snow climbing skills. Depending on the group’s experience and the snow conditions these skills may include things like: use of the ice axe on steep snow; crampon technique; "hanging" belays, building and moving through snow anchors; Intro to snow pits (avalanche assessment); building a hypo-wrap (first aid); or z-pulley (rescue). Since this is a training exercise and we are not venturing too far off the Palmer snowfield this trip will still go in less than perfect weather. (I'll post a no-go notice to this website if weather is truly awful.) Different skills will be covered each day and will depend on the interests of the group. Note that Bryon Snapp will also be linking this with a summit climb on -Mt Hood. Please email Bryon to check on availability for that option.Equipment:
We will be getting into steep snow conditions for this outing. Ice axe, harness, helmet and crampons (fitted to your boots ahead of time) are required. I recommend that you pack as you would for a Mt Hood Climb. this will be a good chance to test your gear and food/water options out. Please have your gear together and be prepared to carry some group gear (ropes, shovels, etc.) Its best to have a larger pack and have some external straps for lasing down a rope and strapping on an ice axe (i.e., don't come with a small textbook type daypack. I've got nothing against Care Bears but their equipment line rarely includes ice axe loops.) We will be getting into the snow so a waterproof outer shell laye is important and an extra set of gloves to swap out when your first pair gets wet.See Gear List #4. (Don't buy expensive gear. Borrow it where you can or rent from REI. )
Location
We will be somewhere along the south side route and the Palmer snowfield...where ever we can find some steep, suitable terrain.
Location
We will be somewhere along the south side route and the Palmer snowfield...where ever we can find some steep, suitable terrain.
Schedule
This is a preliminary schedule is subject to change.
We will have carpools leaving from Silverton and Salem on Saturday morning May 5th at 7:30 am. Email Mike Niemeyer if you want to joing the Silverton carpool. The Salem carpool will meet at the Salem State Motorpool parking lot on airport road.
We will assemble at the climbers registration area just off the Timberline lodge parking lot at 9:45am.
This will be a full day activity. I expect we will be wrapping up and back to the Timberline parking lot about 4 pm.
Roster
Mike Niemeyer (leader)
Bryon Snapp (Leader)
Chuck Dowell
David Braun
Mike Pennington
Courtney Carlson
Seth Lucas
Mason Smith
Brett Milliken
Jason Kabbes
