Mt. Hood (Pearly Gates) 12/28/13

Credit: Mark Johnson

I learned two things on my climb of Mt. Hood yesterday: First, as much as I love the climb, when it comes down to it, I am a skier who climbs, not a climber who skis. Second, don't test new gear in no-fall zones.

I didn't intend to summit Mt. Hood when I arrived in the Timberline parking lot. I just planned to skin up Palmer and test out some new gear I had acquired during the fall (including my Black Diamond Whippet, Mountain Hardwear Direttessima 46 pack, and Scarp F1 boots). However, when I arrived in the parking lot, I ran into Mark and Mike, two old ski buddies who I had not seen in a few years. They were summit-bound, along with a few members of Portland Mountain Rescue, and they invited me along. The weather was clear and sunny, with a light breeze. Conditions were perfect, so I agreed to join them.

Thankskiing

Aliza hiking up the Palmer Snowfield with Mt. Jefferson in the background

I’m thankful for a lot of things in my life, not the least is the fact that I get to go skiing pretty regularly. It’s easy to forget what a privilege it is to ski. Most people don’t ski. Even fewer have the skills, time, and experience to ski the backcountry. Those of us that do ski the backcountry are pretty damn lucky, and sometimes it’s good to be reminded of that.

I’m also pretty lucky that I’ve grown up in a family that not only encouraged my backcountry pursuits, but they have regularly been a part of them.