The View on the Way Up
The Climb up the Face
Cornice Ridge Where We Dropped In
Summit Ridge Where we Reached the Top
Tom Dick & Harry MountainAs we embarked on our first trip unofficially as the PNW Weekend Warriors, we decided to track into the great backcountry of Tom, Dick and Harry.
We made our way up to Skibowl Resort were we would start this epic journey. Such a journey would make Bilbo Baggins blush.
Estimated time of arrival........8:30am. After getting geared up for the hike in, pack consisting of probe (which was a fold-able tent stabilizer), Beacons (which we borrowed from a friend, who knows if we actually knew how to use them), Shovels (borrowed again), skis, board, agua and of course 1 orange and 1 nanner. Having our other buddy, Ryan, providing the crucial ingredient for survival providing the life saving GPS, we were off.
We decided that we researched the area all week and were confident that we would be familiar enough to leave the map back at the car (Rule #1 - always take the map). From Skibowl parking lot we walked approx 1/2 mile along Rt 26 down to the Mirror Lake Trail head.
Full of spunk and what proved to be very vulnerable life, our short 2 mile hike in, would prove to be a breeze for these 4 strapping gentleman. The hike through the forest was quite breath taking. The snow piled inches thick on each unfortunate branch to grow out from the tree. Being the first trip into the Oregon BC for all for of us the beauty and breadth of the hike surpassed any expectations we had.
About a 1.5 hr hike in lead us to Mirror Lake where we suspected to see what would be our lines. This would have been the perfect resting stop to soak in the views and point out where we would make our turns and routes., but that wasn't going to happen this weekend.
As we arrived at Mirror Lake visibility was close to nill. A snow squall (I don't even know if that's an actual weather term, but whatever it was) rolled in and blinded us from the immaculate ideal we had all pictured in our head days before in our cozy cubicles. As we sat there a lone ski-soldier rolled up and advised us that the snow conditions were to die for, actual quote "I have never skied snow like this before." Even though we couldn't see a few spare cliff lines came into view ahead and we knew that if the snow pack proved safe this would be kilelr. So after a brief discussion as to how/which direction we would take to the summit we started out again.
Following recent tracks from skiers and snowshoers we made it to the tree break. Snow paralyzing our view of the great Tom Dick and Harry Peak did not slow us down. Like a child hopped up on mountain dew we blazed trail up the 35-40 degree pitch for about 3 minutes when fatigue set in, remember we only had an orange and a banana. Blazing trail in untouched snow seemed to slow even us seasoned (ahem) mountain...yes men....
As we arrived at the summit around 11am we started to suit up. At this time and F5 tornado decided to drop in on us, the storm had gotten worse than before and the southern winds blew across the top of the peak with unexpected ferocity. Few photos here few photo there, some lunch (orange a banana, a soggy sandwich that was only half eaten), we dressed and prepared for our descent by checking cornice ridge. Falling into an unplanned line turned out to be some of the best riding any of us had ever had the good graces to experience. Thigh high powder, no wind on the north side of the mountain and the feeling of euphoria made this ONE run an instant classic.
Will finish story..
We made our way up to Skibowl Resort were we would start this epic journey. Such a journey would make Bilbo Baggins blush.
Estimated time of arrival........8:30am. After getting geared up for the hike in, pack consisting of probe (which was a fold-able tent stabilizer), Beacons (which we borrowed from a friend, who knows if we actually knew how to use them), Shovels (borrowed again), skis, board, agua and of course 1 orange and 1 nanner. Having our other buddy, Ryan, providing the crucial ingredient for survival providing the life saving GPS, we were off.
We decided that we researched the area all week and were confident that we would be familiar enough to leave the map back at the car (Rule #1 - always take the map). From Skibowl parking lot we walked approx 1/2 mile along Rt 26 down to the Mirror Lake Trail head.
Full of spunk and what proved to be very vulnerable life, our short 2 mile hike in, would prove to be a breeze for these 4 strapping gentleman. The hike through the forest was quite breath taking. The snow piled inches thick on each unfortunate branch to grow out from the tree. Being the first trip into the Oregon BC for all for of us the beauty and breadth of the hike surpassed any expectations we had.
About a 1.5 hr hike in lead us to Mirror Lake where we suspected to see what would be our lines. This would have been the perfect resting stop to soak in the views and point out where we would make our turns and routes., but that wasn't going to happen this weekend.
As we arrived at Mirror Lake visibility was close to nill. A snow squall (I don't even know if that's an actual weather term, but whatever it was) rolled in and blinded us from the immaculate ideal we had all pictured in our head days before in our cozy cubicles. As we sat there a lone ski-soldier rolled up and advised us that the snow conditions were to die for, actual quote "I have never skied snow like this before." Even though we couldn't see a few spare cliff lines came into view ahead and we knew that if the snow pack proved safe this would be kilelr. So after a brief discussion as to how/which direction we would take to the summit we started out again.
Following recent tracks from skiers and snowshoers we made it to the tree break. Snow paralyzing our view of the great Tom Dick and Harry Peak did not slow us down. Like a child hopped up on mountain dew we blazed trail up the 35-40 degree pitch for about 3 minutes when fatigue set in, remember we only had an orange and a banana. Blazing trail in untouched snow seemed to slow even us seasoned (ahem) mountain...yes men....
As we arrived at the summit around 11am we started to suit up. At this time and F5 tornado decided to drop in on us, the storm had gotten worse than before and the southern winds blew across the top of the peak with unexpected ferocity. Few photos here few photo there, some lunch (orange a banana, a soggy sandwich that was only half eaten), we dressed and prepared for our descent by checking cornice ridge. Falling into an unplanned line turned out to be some of the best riding any of us had ever had the good graces to experience. Thigh high powder, no wind on the north side of the mountain and the feeling of euphoria made this ONE run an instant classic.
Will finish story..
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So i just wanted to put an idea out there, as the spring/summer is on it's way. There are some dunes all along the coast and i wanted to suggest sandboarding. i know florence has some big dunes, but that's also a drive. but...Sandboarding...think about it.
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