I had to get up around 4:30 to pack for three hour trip to Mt. Hood. My
friends drove in around 5 to pick us up and then hit the road. The
morning forecast was cloudy and mild. The other day I bought reflective
lense and new beanie so I am as stoked as ever. Speaking of lense and
beanie, we got to Hood around 8 as we paused for view of beautiful Mt.
Hood above clouds and as we got closer, the weather was not as cloudy
and mostly sunny. As everybody in van exchanged words for how humongous
Hood is and snow coverage. Pulled into parking lot which was half full
then put on the gear as we take deep breath of thin fresh mountain air.
It was quite chilly. Everybody was done gearing up and headed to Wyatt
East Lodge to stretch our bodies then to Magic Mile Ticket Center to
buy tickets. Hit up the slopes afterwards. The first two warmup runs
went really well because the snow was mushy. My friends did most runs
through terrain park but I spent time shredding slushy snow down Palmer
Snowfield to tune up for possible boardercross competitions next
winter. All I did was work on speed and turning no matter how the
terrain is like. Music is another thing to help me get in flow of
riding. The Swedish band "The Knife" had me getting the adrenaline
going. I started to get more comfortable with the snow conditions since
it's not groomed but I got used to it anyways. Snowbunnies, music,
slushy snow were the three things in my mind when it comes to riding in
typical summer day which made me a day. Speaking of doing runs...I
noticed the summer camp on private terrain. Kids and teenagers came in
from as far as Japan, Europe, Nova Scotia. The female skier from Nova
Scotia who was in line for lift passed by me giving contact even she
couldn't tell that I was making contact too cuz of my reflective lens.
I was starting to get the vibe feel of the atmosphere here at Hood. I
kept getting more hyped as I grab more runs. I was killing every run
better and better with The Knife beat. As hours passed by...my body was
running dry due to elevation effect. I took break and headed to
Timberline lodge to grab water then headed back for couple runs before
it closed down. It was one of my best days of riding this year. I want
to go back again. At end of day...I said praise to the three climbers
who had their lives taken by horrible winter storm in December. God
bless them and bless the mountain for what God has created. Let it be
and respect the mountain. Justin
