Mt Hood

Avalanche conditions are generally safe, but be ready for firm, icy surfaces on exposed slopes at middle and upper elevations. Ensure you have the proper traction and tools to reduce the chance of a long sliding fall.

You may be itching to go up high with sun in the forecast, but be ready for technical mountain travel at upper elevations. Observers ( observation here)  have been reporting rockhard and variable surface conditions across the zone thanks to a stout rain crust extending to 10,000 ft (and maybe higher). If you plan to travel at these elevations, be sure to pack the 'sharps kit,' including an ice axe and crampons to help you travel more efficiently and, most importantly, reduce the chance of a long sliding fall.

On Wednesday, I traveled with our new intern observer Koby Yudkin in the Vista Ridge area. Surprisingly, we found better travel conditions than what we had initially expected at lower and middle elevations. We were prepared for the worst of breakable crusts, but were pleasantly surprised to find edgeable and mostly supportable travel. However, conditions changed as we crested above treeline. Bulletproof ice and very firm snow were widespread and ski crampons were incredibly helpful.  You can read his full observation here. 

While less likely, you may still find isolated pockets of soft snow at the upper elevations of Mt Hood. If you do, look for signs of unstable snow, such as shooting cracks or hollow-sounding snow. Even a small avalanche can have a high consequence in extreme terrain. 

If you get up on the mountain, let us know what you see by submitting a public observation.