Throwback Thursday – Mt. Adams

It’s been balmy and pouring rain in Portland. I can’t help but think of what an epic storm this would have been, had temperatures been a few (20) degrees cooler. Nonetheless, the cold front is forecasted to move in any minute now, and snow is expected to fall in the mountains. As I was sitting by my powder skis, pining for face shots, I was reminded that ski season in Oregon is more than just early season dumps. The late season is often the best. While most of my top runs of all time involve deep, dry powder snow, one of the best was on corn snow on Mt. Adams. So, after an unfortunately long hiatus, the Kickturner is back with a throwback Thursday.

I skied the Southwest Chutes of Mt. Adams on June 7, 2014. Much has been written about the Southwest Chutes, but they are worthy of all praise. The climb is a little bit of a slog. The standard route is typically crowded. The false summit can be a total buzz kill. But the ski down is truly world class.

Humble Pie on Middle Sister

Paul ascending Middle Sister 

Well, it may be time to hang up the spurs for the summer. Not entirely, but apparently life continues during ski season, and there are a few things I need to catch up on. Middle Sister was a worthy endeavor for the last day of skiing in June. Situated in the middle of the Oregon Cascades, it offers perhaps the most spectacular view of any mountain in Oregon. It also offers some puckering skiing. After a full season of skiing routes within my comfort level and ability, on Middle Sister I was served a tasty piece of humble pie. 

Snow Dome - Mt. Hood

From left to Right: Cooper Spur, Elliot Glacier, Snow Dome

Among the many reasons I love Oregon, one of the most significant is that "ski season" is kind of a misnomer. In Oregon, it should really be called "ski year. In most places, "ski season" starts in December and ends in March. A couple die-hards may be out in November or April. But by the time May rolls around, much of the snow is gone, and the snowy mountains have been forgotten. Not so in Oregon. In May, we're just getting started.

Well, it's June, it's the first day of Summer, and today I skied nearly 3000 vertical feet of spectacular corn on Snow Dome on Mt. Hood. I love Oregon.