Mt. Washington East Ridge Snow Camp

Saturday February 24 10:00 am Meet at Ray Bendson Snow Park near Hoodoo Ski area at Santiam Pass. Snow park permits required. This event is an overnight or day trip if you like to the East Ridge of Mt. Washington, Oregon. AT skiing/splitboards and or snowshoes required. 12 mile round trip with 1,800' vertical gain. After meeting in the parking lot and going over objectives, dangers and expectations we will depart in forest roads to Big Lake then further to the PCT trailhead not far away. From there we will traverse off trail through virgin snow breaking trail over the cascade crest then down on the northeast side of Mt. Washington to the east ridge. We will avoid the closeup high angle avalanche terrain. We will cross the NE bowl and ascend the true East Ridge making camp on top! Hopefully there will be dead trees to make a bonfire in the snow! If the wind is too high for a fun evening we will camp in the NE bowl instead.

Equipment List-
Snow Flotation-AT skis/splitboard/snowshoes
Helmet for skiers and snowboarders
headlight, glacier goggles, sunglasses, or goggles, warm hats, 2-3 pairs gloves, warm winter clothing, puffycoat and wind layer, several pairs of socks, camp booties optional
4 Season Only Tent
2 thick sleeping pads, eggshell not recommended
20 degree or better sleeping bag
camp stove and extra fuel to melt snow for water and cook with.
2 liters of water for the hike in to camp
crampons and ice axe optional for East Ridge Spire Summit attempt.
Food for Saturday and breakfast Sunday. snow shovel for digging camp cooking area. Snow saw optional for cutting snow blocks for wind protection. wood saw optional for cutting dead branches for a fire. Adult beverages!