I embarked early morning Wednesday to hike the 42 mile loop around Mt. Hood, unknowing that no one has yet hiked the trail this year due to the conditions. Within the first 5 miles of the trail at the first river crossing, the trail had been washed away with no tracks to follow as I wandered down the river lost. After another few miles off track I ended up at a ski resort on the east side of the mountain where I saw that the rest of the trail would be virtually impossible. Pointed in the direction back to the lodge I decided it was time to turn around.
Being 10 miles away from the lodge by foot, I yet again got lost within the first mile due to the snow and lack of foot travel. I started to travel towards Mt. Hood and without finding the trail I decided to keep trekking up the mountain where I would try to slide down on the south side of the mountain to the lodge where I began. Gaining on the mountain peak with no path to follow it became more and more dangerous with boulders continuing to fall down the volcanic sand and pockets of snow that fall through while driving the trekking poles into the ground to see if it is safe. It was up here where my injury occurred and made everything that more complicated.
The shadow of the mountain started to creep on me as I slowly head towards the peak to try to find a point to cross to the south side of the volcano, stopping every few minutes to my leg burning in agony. The shadow passed over me as the sun dropped below the south peak and I could not continue any further as I found no way to get across towards the lodge. I began to crawl back down the mountain in dusk with every step more difficult than the last due to my leg muscle causing problems. I finally got down to the riverside at the base of the mountain after it was pitch dark out which turned out to be just as challenging trying to walk along all of the boulders watching out for rocks tumbling down on each side. The river ran rapidly as I tried to find the best spots to cross as you weave in and out of the river with only a headlight to guide the way.
After crossing the river several times I stopped cold as I see glowing pair of eyes emerge from the darkness and start to walk towards me. Although I had no clue what kind of animal it could have been, I did not want to chance it as I pulled out my knife and back tracked out of their way. By this time, my feet are soaking wet and filled to the top with sand and rocks, pointless to take them off since they would fill right back up within five minutes. There I was hiking through the endless canyons with it coming on to midnight when I finally found a sandy spot flat enough to set up a tent.
The next morning did not feel well as I finally climbed out of the tent into the wet, windy world that took place in the back country. After yet another 10 or so miles I stumbled across the trail and limped my way back towards the lodge where I finally emerged from the forest to civilization. There in the freezing rain and wind, a medic came and quickly helped me out by bringing a wheelchair and taking me to a warm place to rest.
Mountaineering is by means no petty deal to be taken for granted and should be attempted with another companion and with the proper gear. Despite the unfortunate conditions that were laid upon me that week I still much enjoyed the humble and beautiful experience of the back country at Mt. Hood. Then after hours of living out some music on the grand piano in the lodge I left to continue my journey to the 10th annual Northwest String Summit.
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