Volcano Tour

Sierra Slayer Glen Poulsen and friends joined the Volcano Tour for a couple of days, including this one on Mt. Hood’s Cooper Spur.

What an incredible trip this has been.

Since joining Chris Davenport and friends on the Spyder Volcano Tour last weekend we’ve skied Mt. Hood, Mt. Adams, and Mt. St. Helens. We’ve caught up with old friends, met loads of new ones, toured parts of the Northwest we’ve never been to before, and had awesome skiing in near-perfect weather. Christy and I couldn’t be more impressed with the effort by Dav and Jess McMillan, and the huge support behind them, particularly Spyder and Whole Foods.

In the past five days Dav and Jess have skied a whopping eight Cascade Volcanoes, so today we’re all enjoying a well-deserved rest day in Portland. Tomorrow we’ll be back in the ski boots, attempting what is likely the biggest objective of the trip so far– a one day summit and ski of Mount Rainier, 14,411 ft. I can’t wait.

The whirlwind tour hasn’t allowed for much internet time so I thought I’d quickly post a few pics here today, and follow up with more when it all wraps up. For more regular updates, be sure to check the Spyder blog to see how it goes on Rainier and the other remaining peaks. And for a little perspective from Christy, be sure to check out her post on the Spyder site here – http://blog.spyder.com/post/23105296106/volcanotourday10

Eleven of us climbed and skied Mount Hood Sunday. Here’s Christy, Jim Morrison, Dave Watson, and Dav, booting up towards the Pearly Gates.

Some of the team on Hood’s summit.

Chris Davenport Mount Admas Volcano Tour

Mount Adams was a huge day. The RV was parked at 3,800 feet and the summit is at 12,200 or so. That’s 8,400 vertical climbed. But it’s also 8,400 feet skied, which is something you just don’t find in Colorado.

Approaching the the summit of Mount St. Helens and it’s massive crater rim yesterday.

The St. Helens team on the summit– Ian Fohrman, Jess McMillan, Dav, Christy, me, Scott Rinkenberger, John Burill. Rainier is out to the left, Adams to the right.

Ian Fohrman on the St. Helens descent. Mount Adams stands tall in the distance.

And as always, the day wrapped up with a little apres-ski session once back at the trailhead.

Dylan Bowman

May 16, 2012 at 11:27 AM

Amazing! Never a dull moment. All the best on Rainier tomorrow.

Tim M.

May 16, 2012 at 11:51 AM

thanks for the update teddy. nice pics, and confluence of weather, conditions and tribes. good luck on rainier.

AspenSpin

May 16, 2012 at 11:52 AM

Looks like all that…and a can of corn. Have fun.

Kathy Fry

May 16, 2012 at 12:03 PM

Are you and Christy on a solo mission to start apres a bit early on the summit of Mount Saint Helens? I would expect nothing less! Miss you both (and you too, Dav!!!!) Have fun tomorrow and be safe!

Chrissy

May 16, 2012 at 12:19 PM

wow- what a trip! love the pics- have fun!

Ben

May 16, 2012 at 12:54 PM

Nice job to all involved! What route did you climb and ski on Adams out of curiosity? Heading up there in two weeks and skiing from summit to car sounds very appealing.

Thanks!

ted

May 16, 2012 at 1:15 PM

Thanks all. We’re looking forward to tomorrow.

Ben, we went up the South Ridge of Adams, an then skied the SW side and wrapped back around to the south at the bottom. I’d highly recommend that ski line. It was almost 4000 feet of smooth corn snow. And in two weeks you’ll be able to start further up the road I’d think.

Brandon Chalk`

May 16, 2012 at 2:57 PM

What a trip indeed, Ted! Damn man. Awesome. Gets me stoked to head out there this Saturday. Climbing/skiing Shasta on Sunday. I think your roadtrip “wheels” are a little classier than ours will be, however. Enjoy Rainier.

john doyle

May 16, 2012 at 4:30 PM

Wow! Looks like some serious fun.

John

May 16, 2012 at 7:30 PM

Ted/Christy
What a blast climbing and skiing Mt Hood with you guys. Wish I could have joined the team for more. SW Chutes of Adams is a sweet ski and glad you guys didn’t drop below the basin below. You end up on the Pacific Crest Trail which is fine for ultra training when bare ;-). If I can, I’d go with Ben if he want some local knowledge. Still will take some time for the road to melt and be cleaned up so you can drive up to Cold Springs. Sorry to miss you guys on your rest day in Portland.
Have a blast, be safe and say hi to the rest of the crew.

May 17, 2012 at 6:33 AM

Thanks for the info Ted! Good luck on your upcoming goals!

May 17, 2012 at 8:13 PM

John, Hood was a blast. It was great to ski with you (and the rest of the local gang).

The SW chutes on Adams were really fun. And long. I’d get up there sooner than later.

I’ll tell everyone you said hi. We just left Rainier after an 11 hour round trip and are all pretty beat. That mountain’s a beast, it was 9,000 vertical feet to the summit. Hopefully tomorrows day on Baker is at least a little easier.

May 17, 2012 at 8:46 PM

Ted,
So freaking awesome you guys made it up and back safe and sound. Rainier is a big hunk of rock for sure. Trying to recruit someone to do Jefferson with me next Friday. So inspired by the lines filmed by Glen when Jim flew over. Thinking Adams as well next weekend. How far up were you able to drive? Morrison Creek? Tell Ian I checked out the Norwegian dude that made his skis (Endre Hals). So flipping cool that he ski on skis made in the little village my dad grew up and I’ve spent a ton of time during Summer & Easter vacations.
Have a blast on Baker tomorrow and be safe.

May 22, 2012 at 7:44 AM

John, according to Dav’s GPS, it was 2.9 miles on the snow covered road before getting to the Morrison Creek Campground. Pretty easy travel, but adds time to the day for sure.