[pct-l] Hood and Rainier on a Thru-hike

[ambery-80243 at mypacks.net]

I think Eric's advise here is good.  Please don't underestimate the Cascade peaks.  
As for Hood, he is right that late summer is definitely not the best time to climb.  If the freezing level is above the summit as it often is by then, then rock fall is a serious hazard no matter what time you start.  Also, while it looks like the snow is melted, it is a glacier, and underneath that dirt and rock you see, it will be ice.  And by July, the bergschrund is usually wide open.

I agree that Rainier would be quite an undertaking as a PCT side trip, not only technically, but as he mentioned, quite expensive with a guide, and usually hard to book at the least minute.  Without one, you would have to hit the right weather window, and be able to snag the limited permits.  ($43 this year.) 

There's always South Sister if you just want a one day walk up reasonably close to the trail.

 


>Sam wrote:
>>
>How feasible is a Hood or Rainier side trip while doing a PCT thru-hike?
>I'm less interested in the gear requirements and more in the logistics of
>how someone made it work while on a thru hike.
>>
>
>Some thoughts:
>
>As several other people have already pointed out, late summer isn't the best
>time for mountain climbing, particularly on Mt. Hood, because the low snow
>levels expose glacier crevices and rock/ice falls.
>
>While thousands of people successfully climb the Northwest volcanoes every
>year, there are fatalities on those peaks virtually every year, too.  While
>that shouldn't discourage you from the idea of mountain climbing if you're
>into that sort of thing, you should think of it as a serious project that
>requires serious preparation, experience, and training, rather than
>something to be done on a lark.  There's actually not much in common between
>PCT hiking and technical mountain climbing other than the general fitness
>level required.  Don't think that walking 2000 miles on the PCT qualifies
>you, all by itself, to climb Hood or Rainier.  You have to prepare for that
>separately.
>
>Risk issues aside, though, probably the biggest logistical problem with
>trying to climb a big mountain while on a thru-hike is that by the time you
>get to northern Oregon and Washington, you're probably going to be barely
>holding your body together enough just to make your daily PCT miles.  Sure,
>there are always exceptions, but from my observations, when most thrus get
>to that part of the trail they're pretty tired, worn out, and are just
>focused on finishing.  Not many people would be excited about big peak
>climbing at that point, even if they previously thought they would be.
>
>To answer yours logistical questions, Mt. Hood would probably be the most
>convenient climb, since you're already at Timberline Lodge and the South
>Side/Hogsback route starts right there.  You can receive packages with
>mountaineering gear there (though I don't remember if you can send stuff out
>from there or not).  The climb can be easily done in one day, or more
>precisely one night, since the usual strategy in the summer is to start
>between midnight and 2 am so as to be able to get up and down again before
>the sun warms up the snow and increases the frequency of rock and ice falls.
>
>Mt. Rainier is more technically challenging and the most popular starting
>point at Paradise is actually not very close to the PCT so you'd have to
>hitchhike over there.  There are guide companies available, which aren't
>cheap but highly recommended if you don't have previous mountain-climbing
>experience.  Rainier is *not* the place to experiment on your own with no
>prior experience.  Considering everything, I don't think Rainier is a good
>choice for a PCT side trip.
>
>The South Spur route on Mt. Adams is not directly on the PCT but can be
>accessed with a side trip of several miles (don't remember exactly how far,
>sorry).  That route is regarded as pretty non-technical and good for
>beginners, though you can still get into major trouble with unexpected
>weather, glare ice, etc., so you should still know what you're doing.  There
>aren't any developed access points around Mt. Adams so you'd have to carry
>in your mountaineering gear for that climb.
>
>Overall, I'd suggest you consider climbing Mt. Hood's Hogsback route since
>it's so convenient from the PCT.  But again, do your research before you
>attempt it so you know what hazards are present and what skills are
>required.  It's not the same as walking to the top of Mt. Whitney.
>
>Eric
>
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