So stoked to make this happen!!!
I started Hood just after 12:55am. My route selection through the resort was rather dumb and circuitous— not the speediest option but I eventually got up there. I knew the Hogsback and upper mountain had formed differently this year with the unusual snowpack, but I hadn’t been up there this season due to shoulder surgery over the winter. Route-finding through the Devil’s Kitchen area was a bit tedious in the pitch black, and the blowing ash making my headlamp useless at times. The climbing up Old Chute was fun and in great shape. The freezing level never dropped below the summit, so even in the middle of the night there was some ice, along with a couple of big rocks that came whizzing by. I got back to my truck at 5:28am for a RT time of 4:23.
My friend Missy met me in White Salmon, and we loaded up her gear so she could join me on Adams and Helens.
We started Adams at 7:41am. I felt like garbage. I had a headache from the night before that had only gotten worse, and my stomach wanted nothing to do with food. We slogged our way up, and about three-quarters of the way up Pikers it got pretty firm. With the warm temperatures on Hood, I thought Adams would be slush in the heat of the day. Well, I miscalculated that one and pushed the limits of my microspikes and running poles. Missy decided to turn back and wait for me at Lunch Counter. Once over Pikers, the summit snow and ice had more texture and was easier to move across despite my energy bonking from struggling to get food down. After a windy summit photo, I headed back down. I tiptoed my way down Pikers, and the sun had softened it just enough that my spikes weren't too bad. Back to the car at 1:15pm for an RT time of 5:34.
We had about a 3 hour drive to Helens and Missy kindly offered to drive. It was great to get a break, eat some real food, and hydrate. I had originally planned to do this unsupported, but at the last minute Missy offered to come along. I was mentally prepared to do it solo, but it was so much more fun sharing the experience with another person. We started Helens at 4:17pm and made it back to the car before we needed our headlamps, finishing at 8:31pm for an RT time of 4:14 and a grand total time of 19 hours, 36 minutes.