| Steve Dougherty ~ May 25, 2004 |
| Eleven Chemeketans under the leadership of Mike Rudy met at Mazama Lodge for a pre-climb meal and three hour nap. Upon our 1:00 a.m. arrival at Timberline Lodge (6000') a Snocat driver informed us that a group had canceled and that he could transport our group to the top of the Palmer Chairlift (8600') for $120. Recognizing that our weather was expected to deteriorate some the following day we chose to dig deep and accept the offer in order to get up and off the mountain sooner. The tightly packed snowcat took 30 minutes to climb the 2600'. Conditions were mild with very little wind and temperatures close to freezing. Few stars and no lights from Portland, confirmed that low and high clouds were present. The group setout at 2:15 p.m. on the moonless night at a comfortable pace. Crampons were donned just above 9000'. The group stopped for an extended rest break just below Crater Rock. As we made our climb around Crater Rock, Mike Rudy complained of stomach cramps. Assistant leader, Stefan Gonzalez, volunteered to turn around with Mike. Steve Dougherty assumed leadership of the group with the remaining assistant leader, Brad Tedrow. The group arrived at the Hog's Back at about 4:45 a.m. where the nine remaining climb team members roped up into two rope teams. The bergshrund was gaping significantly for mid May and the climbers were protected with pickets above the bergshrund. The group arrived on the cloudy summit at 6:50 a.m. Six of the nine summitting climbers claimed their first Mt. Hood summits. Surprizingly, the clouds parted during most of our 30 minutes on the summit affording views of all summits from Rainier to Broken Top. Weather moved in on our descent just below Crater Rock. Group members stayed close together and followed a magnetic south bearing to navigate back to the top of the Palmer Chairlift where they followed the groomed climber's trail down to Timberline Lodge. The group returned to Mazama Lodge for showers and the awarding of summit certificates before returning to Salem. Participants were M. Rudy(leader), S.Dougherty, B.Tedrow(assistant), S.Gonzalez(assistant), R.Smith, T.Smith, B.Fukuda, G.Tedrow, J.Ellis, E.Destival, and K.Kraschel. |