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.