Eric&Hil Reach the Summit 2007

Ruckel Creek

Training, Hikes — eric & hil on June 3, 2007 at 9:15 pm

3700 ft.We did the loop on this one starting up by the campsite #5. This is a scramble for 5 miles to the top, very steep at parts, with unstable ground. But very manageable. this is one of my favorite hikes to date. Although i found it harder than Mt Defiance the week before. Picture 1-3 Picture 2-4 A weird safety tape at the beginning of the trail. we did not find any killer trees, although i was hoping to, they sound interesting.Some of the rock climbing and very steep parts. the trees really helped us.Cool flower we couldn’t name, so if you know let us know The steep climbs on dirt are pretty slippery.Ruckel creek is a welcome sight and sound at the top, to freshen up with pure cold mountain water. Not sure you can drink it, but i wish i could have.Without signs and orange marks on trees it would be impossible to get your way out of this forest…

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We are both done

Training — eric & hil on May 29, 2007 at 2:39 pm

Our donations are done. We have raised our $3000 each.
Thank you all who have donated, much appreciated.

Together we have raised $6000 for the American Lung Association of Oregon.

Stay tuned, our climb is coming up.

e&h

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Mt Defiance - OUCH but WOW

Training, Hikes — eric & hil on May 27, 2007 at 9:34 am

So we finally did the hardest hike in the book for the region. People say if you can climb Mt Defiance then you can do Hood… so we feel good. It is definitely hard to climb this one. The trail was slightly under snow at about the 3800 ft mark and hard to navigate but we made it thanks to someone else’s footprints a few days earlier. Thank you whoever you are. Once you get to the top you get fabulous views of the mountain, although i was disappointed by the placement of an electric power station right at the top with buzzing AC’s running and a buzzz of electrical current that probably made the chipmunks really aggressive for food. Anyway. DO THIS ONE!

Here are the stats.
Picture 3-5

Took us about 6hrs, with a steady climbing rate and little stops.

Get the google earth file here. (right click save as or save target as)
you will need google earth available here
Picture 1-2
Picture 2-3
Now on to the pictures.

The ugly electrical tower at the top.

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crampon day on Hood

Training — eric & hil on April 22, 2007 at 7:59 pm

Today was snow day with the Timberline Mountain Guides where they teach you how to climb steep icy/snowy slopes. I have a really bad cold, but we paid to do this so we did it. But i feel like Sh#$ now.

hilary in the bright day.

hood peaking out of the clouds. looks close, but we are 6000ft away from the summit here.

the slopes…

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HILARY HAS DONE IT!

Donations — eric & hil on April 16, 2007 at 9:25 pm

HILARY HAS RAISED HER $3000 in order for her to climb. Thank you all who have helped. Now on to me..

.

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Kings Mountain

Training, Hikes — eric & hil on April 16, 2007 at 9:20 pm

Again by the coast. Hilary went with the group on this one as i had to work.

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Saddle Mountain

Training, Hikes — eric & hil on April 16, 2007 at 9:16 pm

The trail is closed one mile in, but it’s great. A little diversion from some erosion, but overall a great.

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Another photo of Hood Climb

Inspiration — eric & hil on April 3, 2007 at 8:00 pm

I can’t help but be inspired.

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Miscellaneous — eric & hil on April 2, 2007 at 7:42 pm

Sorry to say that thanks to spammers trying to post some drug sales on our blog i have had to close comments. If you want to leave a comment, email me and i’ll post it for you.

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Tilly Jane Snow Shoe… ouch my feet, but…

Training, Hikes — eric & hil on April 2, 2007 at 6:32 pm

Well worth the pain, the Tilly Jane hike is well worth it.

Total Elevation 6,415 (highest point, still far from the 11,000 ft of the tippy top)
Elevation Gain (ft) +3,242 / -3,173
Temperature (°F) 50°F avg. 53.6°F high
Distance (mi ) 8.91

Get

Briefly about the area around Tilly Jane Trail: Cloud Cap-Tilly Jane Historic Area is a good place to check out and Reservoir Campground is a nice campground here. So much fun stuff to do in the Central Cascade Range, not enough time… Wallalute Falls is always fun to check out and since you’re here you might as well check out Sand Canyon. If you come at the right time of year Hood River - East Fork offers some great whitewater and why not a little side trip to North Fork Cold Spring Creek. There are some excellent whitewater spots on Hood River - West Fork and Lamberson Butte Spur Trail is a beautiful place to visit while you’re at Tilly Jane Trail. Don’t stop me now, cause I’m havin’ a good time here at Tilly Jane Trail. Camping at Tilly Jane Trail is great fun, Dufur Valley Farms is a great local campground, you’ll meet a lot of people from Hood River here. There’s no way anyone can get bored here in the Central Cascade Range. Compass Creek is a great place to visit and do pay a visit to Mount Rainier National Park while you’re here at Tilly Jane Trail.

Let me tell you snow shoeing is no easy task. As our first time, we had a hard time at first but you catch on quick. The start was icy for the most part until you get at least 2 miles in the hike.

Rosy cheeks… and all. Hilary was so happy she was ahead of everyone almost the whole time!

Hood in the back ‘peaking’

Tilly Jane Hut. You can stay here for a night’s rest or during the day, it has a log heater and it’s pretty cool if you can hike up there.

one of the steepest hills, not long but steep. real steep.

hilary planting firmly on the 50% + grade.

Mt Rainier in the distance…

And Hood, finally as we pass the tree line…

For the GEEKS and CuRIOUS:

Right click and save as for Google Earth. (don’t forget, right click save as…)
Picture 3-3

Picture 6-2

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