05.18.23

FIELD NOTES

Well, I did it.

I climbed Mt. Hood!

And, I can now say that I get it when people say there’s nothing like it. All I want is to be on the summit again. Like, right now.

I can’t stop watching my summit video, either. It fills me with happiness every single time. (If you want to see some photos, check out the end of this email!)

This feeling is indescribable, really.

But, before I get too far, I want to break down the climb for y’all!

Let’s start with how awesome my team was and the two amazing guides we had. If you’re ever looking to climb Mt. Hood or others in the Cascades, I highly recommend Timberline Mountain Guides - ask for Laura and Sharon!

So. We started with a snowcat ride at 2:00am up to about 8500ft. This is where we started climbing. It was a pretty surreal experience climbing in the dark, with the stars lighting up the sky, watching small groups of headlamps in front of you as everyone steadily got higher and higher on the mountain.

Going into this climb, I was honestly a little worried about my fitness so I am happy to report that I really didn’t feel too much difficulty (except for a bit of the burn as we side stepped down the Old Chute). I had worked hard to bring my base fitness level up and I dropped about 17lbs to help this climb, so I’m really proud of how it all came together.

The first hour or so was a slog up to Devil’s Kitchen. This is an area on the mountain where we first got exposed to fumaroles. Fumaroles are basically holes in the mountain where the toxic volcanic gases are released. They are a real risk on Mt. Hood (and other volcanoes) so it’s important to stay focused as you navigate. Thankfully, that’s why we had guides :)

We ditched a trekking pole here and proceeded with an ice axe in hand and the remaining trekking pole in the other. From here we navigated over the Hogsback to a footpath over the Hot Rocks area. Once we successfully got around that, we ditched our remaining trekking pole and made our way up the Old Chute.

I honestly don’t remember where we roped in at but we were definitely on short ropes at this point (basically, we were in groups of three and tied together).

We continued to ascend until we were about 100ft from the summit. Here, our guide had us make a platform and anchored us in while she (yes, she - we had two rad female guides) climbed ahead to set the next anchor point. Once that was set, myself and my teammate climbed on up.

This was the only part I noticed some heavier breathing. I’m not sure if I went too fast, was nervous (historically I get a little shaky leg while any kind of top rope climbing), or if it was just the altitude at this point. The feeling subsided quickly, though.

Then we climbed the last bit to the summit! I think this last approach was when I was the most present on the whole climb. It was something else to see the summit just tens of feet ahead of you knowing that you had just climbed through the night to get there.

And then we summited! We only had 5-10 minutes before we had to descend but what an incredible short time it was. At that point in time there were only three people on top of that mountain and I was one of them. Part of me wishes I was even more present on that summit, to be completely honest.

Okay, that’s it. That’s the whole climb.

Just kidding.

We still had to climb down and, sheesh, this was the toughest part for me. I always have a more difficult time on descents with anything - climbs, hikes, etc. and this was an element of this day I did not consider. Not even once.

After what felt like the longest. hike. back. of. my. life. with every other step basically falling 20” into the snow, we made it back. When I say I had A MOMENT on this descent, I’m not kidding. Silently, while I watched my guide effortlessly glide down the mountain, I had to check and collect myself to continue on, one step at a time. And it sure was one step at a time.

But I made it.

One of Mel’s first questions to me afterwards was, “how was it?” And, to be honest, in those initial moments I wasn’t sure what I felt.

Part of me was very aware of my mortality - those fumaroles were an eye opener. Part of me was just tired and sore. I mean, I had just spent nine hours on the mountain in rental boots. Part of me was just hungry.

And then part of me was extremely proud of what I had just done.

I don’t think any of my response was what Mel had expected. I think she expected enthusiasm and to be met with an immediate “Yes. I will do that again.”

Like I said, I wasn’t sure what I felt in that moment.

But now that I’ve had some time to process, I know where I’m at.

I think it’s healthy to feel both excitement and nervousness at the thought of another climb. I think understanding the risks is an important thing in the mountains. I think Mother Nature is an incredible and powerful artist.

And while those are all things I think, one thing I know is this: I can definitely see myself doing this again.

All I’ve wanted these last couple of days is to be back on the summit. This experience lit in me a new appreciation for the mountains.

I’ve never fully been able to describe how the mountains make me feel. The best I can describe it is like Christmas morning every single time I see them.

I’ve always been excited about them, but they really do feel like home.

I’ll definitely climb another.

I’m super grateful to be able to explore and experience the things I have. I’ll never take it for granted.

If you made it this far, I appreciate you.

Happy adventuring! 🏔️

Alli