FKT: Rick Kneedler - WyEast (Mt Hood) Sandy Glacier Traverse Loop (OR) - 2023-07-01

Athletes
Route variation
Standard route
Multi-sport
No
Gender category
Male
Style
Unsupported
Start date
Finish date
Total time
5h 38m 13s
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Kind of a steeplechase: solid climbing, lots of scrambling, routefinding, plenty of blowdown to navigate, and even a few runnable miles. The views of the Sandy Headwall are imposing. Being early summer there were extended snow sections on the traverse. Any steeper and I'd bring an axe as the runout is intimidating - I wouldn't do it wiithout spikes and poles. The Yokum descent will be super fun when the blowdown higher up gets cleared. The Timberline Tr section is "passable" according to most recent USFS guidance, but they still "recommend" the PCT detour which is a bit more mileage. A huge effort went into clearing this after the 2020 windstorm obliterated a 2 mile section of old growth. Now it is usable (and certainly easier than the traverse). But it's still slow, probably takes about the same time as the detour. I stayed with the Timberline option to see the carnage for myself.

Sorry no photos because I was between phones.