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Local hikes to prepare you for the winter climbing season
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On the summit of Mt. St. Helens
With the end of daylight savings time upon us, and the cooler weather starting to settle in, many of us are already beginning to feel the itch of the winter climbing season. Some of us however, I speak of myself here, have spent the summer and fall in a self imposed climbing hibernation. My summer was full of family activities, chores, and of course, work. I spent many days with the kids at the beach, family days at the river, and a number of days just hanging around doing nothing! I did make it out with some friends for a couple of hikes, both 15 milers, but I did not, however, do any climbing. None whatsoever.
Now that the days are getting shorter, and the nights oh so much longer (and colder!), I am starting to feel that familiar urge to pull my crampons and ice axe out. Get the fleece and shell jackets and pants ready. I feel as if I need to have my bag loaded up and ready, with my rope and harness checked and stuck to it. The one thing that keeps nagging at me though, and I just can't seem to get around, is the fact that I am now getting winded walking up the stairs in my house! What's a climber to do? If I head out in this shape I am going to be a liability to my partner, and others on the mountain, who will probably have to haul me down at some point! I do not want to be on the 10 O 'clock news.
It is now time for me to get back into shape, get my legs, lungs, and heart prepared for the torture they are going to receive in just a few short months. It is time to head out to the Gorge. For those of you who are not from these parts, I am talking about the Columbia River Gorge, just West of Portland, Oregon.
The list of my favorite training hikes in the Gorge, on both sides of the river. Some of these are difficult hikes, and others might as well be full on climbs, gaining almost as much altitude as you do on many of the Cascade Volcano climbs!
I will start out with the Washington side, then move onto Oregon. I am giving just basic information to get you started, distance and elevation, and I will provide links if you want more detailed info and directions. For added training, put on your backpack, and load it with all the gear you are going to take on your climb. Start out lighter, and work up to a full pack.
Washington hikes:
Mount Saint Helens. 10 miles round trip. 4500 foot elevation gain. I know this is a mountain, and a climb in itself, but if you get it before crampons are required, it really isn't too much more difficult than some of the hikes listed here! What better way to train for climbing than to climb?? http://www.fs.fed.us/gpnf/recreation/mount-st-helens/
Table Mountain. 15 mile round trip. 3,297 foot elevation gain. Follows the PCT from near Bonneville Dam.
http://www.portlandhikersfieldguide.org/wiki/Table_Mountain_from_Bonneville_Hike
Dog Mountain. 7.6 mile round trip. 2850 foot elevation gain. http://www.examiner.com/x-14737-Portland-Hiking-Examiner~y2009m6d19-Dog-Mountain-Trailhead-day-hike-1-hour-from-Portland-OR
Beacon Rock. 2.2 mile round trip. 600 foot elevation gain. (ok, I know this is not a big, difficult hike. I had to include this because it is a great, fun hike with awesome views. To make this a training hike, load you backpack with at least 25lbs, and do it 3-5 times as quick, yet safely, as possible.) http://www.portlandhikersfieldguide.org/wiki/Beacon_Rock_Hike
Oregon hikes:
Starvation Ridge/ Mt Defiance. 10 mile round trip. 4940 foot elevation gain. Possibly the most difficult of the gorge hikes! http://www.portlandhikersfieldguide.org/wiki/Defiance-Starvation_Loop_Hike
Cougar Rock/ Elevator Shaft. 6.7 mile round trip. 1860 foot elevation gain, with 1700 foot of it in 3/4 of a mile!! http://www.portlandhikersfieldguide.org/wiki/Cougar_Rock_via_Elevator_Shaft_Hike
These are my favorite, and some of the most difficult. Be sure to be prepared, the gorge gets very cold, and can have quite a bit of snow in the late fall, and winter. Check the forcast before you go, and make sure you have the proper clothes and gear! Have fun this winter, and be safe!!
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