Avalanche

Glade Trail, Climber’s Trail, Pearly Gate Left, Old Chute, Coalman and Zigzag Glaciers

Daniel MacDonaldMt Hood
View on map
Observation photo 1Observation photo 2Observation photo 3Observation photo 4Observation photo 5Observation photo 6Observation photo 7

Quick report

Bluebird day except brief cloudiness on upper mountain and brief period of moderate North winds mid-afternoon (w fumarole aromas as far down as Palmer climber trail). A few inches of fresh dry snow on Glade Trail. Some wet snow instabilities (roller balls) esp on boot track below Hogsback to Pearly Gates. On upper mountain OC/PG routes snow was soft on top but then quickly became bulletproof slippery below surface. Happy I had sharps for each hand, esp getting over brief ice steppe crux on climbers left gate. User impact significant in Old chute. Combined w rime fins, bit sketch right now. Down climbing few dozen feet and then left around a rime bulge yielded safer skiing. Activity impact widespread on Coalman and Upper Zigzag, but positive for stability?

Avalanche

Salmon Gully Cornice Falls a short distance above Timberline