Another gorge ice storm - Vista House, Feb. 9th, 2017

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Don Nelsen
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Another gorge ice storm - Vista House, Feb. 9th, 2017

Post by Don Nelsen » February 9th, 2017, 4:09 pm

After seeing the build-up of freezing rain starting as I passed by Crown Point on the freeway yesterday, I wondered what it would look like this morning. I was a day late to see the best of it on Jan. 19th and didn't want to miss out this time.

It was already 50 degrees at my house as I set out this morning but by the time I got to the Corbett exit off I-84 it was down to 37. I was a little surprised to find it was 54 degrees just a mile up the hill in Corbett so at first I thought I might miss out again - how wrong I was! In the two miles from there to the junction of the scenic hwy and Larch Mt. road, the temperature plunged back down to 33 degrees and the remains of the ice storm were just starting to fall from the trees. The scenic hwy was closed at that point so I hiked the 8/10 mile down to the Vista House.

I kept a wary eye on the trees above the road (see the last two photos) and got pelted with chunks of falling ice but other than that, this was a very enjoyable hike. Micro spikes were most helpful, BTW.

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"Everything works in the planning stage" - Kelly

"If you don't do it this year, you will be one year older when you do" - Warren Miller

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kepPNW
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Re: Another gorge ice storm - Vista House, Feb. 9th, 2017

Post by kepPNW » February 9th, 2017, 4:17 pm

Wow.
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squidvicious
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Re: Another gorge ice storm - Vista House, Feb. 9th, 2017

Post by squidvicious » February 9th, 2017, 4:23 pm

Amazing. I really appreciate you posting all these pics.

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Bosterson
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Re: Another gorge ice storm - Vista House, Feb. 9th, 2017

Post by Bosterson » February 9th, 2017, 4:48 pm

That's totally amazing, Don. Glad your car didn't ice skate off a cliff! :shock:
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Limey
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Re: Another gorge ice storm - Vista House, Feb. 9th, 2017

Post by Limey » February 9th, 2017, 5:33 pm

Wow indeed. That street lamp is amazing. Who the heck are you, superman?

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Guy
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Re: Another gorge ice storm - Vista House, Feb. 9th, 2017

Post by Guy » February 9th, 2017, 5:33 pm

More excellent front line reporting Don!

After this winter it's a wonder there is anything left over 10' tall in the Gorge ;)
hiking log & photos.
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Don Nelsen
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Re: Another gorge ice storm - Vista House, Feb. 9th, 2017

Post by Don Nelsen » February 9th, 2017, 10:50 pm

Limey wrote:Wow indeed. That street lamp is amazing. Who the heck are you, superman?
Hah! Superman indeed. Nope, just an ordinary guy who gets to hike a lot. (Thanks, though!)

dn
"Everything works in the planning stage" - Kelly

"If you don't do it this year, you will be one year older when you do" - Warren Miller

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Don Nelsen
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Re: Another gorge ice storm - Vista House, Feb. 9th, 2017

Post by Don Nelsen » February 9th, 2017, 10:53 pm

Guy wrote:More excellent front line reporting Don!

After this winter it's a wonder there is anything left over 10' tall in the Gorge ;)
Thanks Guy. Agreed, it is a wonder that the foliage can withstand such abuse. But then again - it gets trimmed down every few years so I suppose this is normal on a long term basis.
"Everything works in the planning stage" - Kelly

"If you don't do it this year, you will be one year older when you do" - Warren Miller

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BigBear
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Re: Another gorge ice storm - Vista House, Feb. 9th, 2017

Post by BigBear » February 10th, 2017, 1:00 pm

You know, Don , it it weren't for you sliding around out there these past six weeks we wouldn't have any trip reports to look at. Thank you.

pablo
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Re: Another gorge ice storm - Vista House, Feb. 9th, 2017

Post by pablo » February 10th, 2017, 7:12 pm

Thx Don for the update. ODOT tripcheck sez the road is open most of the way now but closed just east of Wahkeena where the road narrows and to a bit west of Ainsworth.

I think I'll go out that way tomorrow.

--Paul
The future's uncertain and the end is always near.

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