Alex Parks
Alex Parks
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Mt Thielsen - Summit and Rappel
Mt Thielsen stands 9,183ft about 12 miles North of Crater Lake in Oregon's Cascade range. This is a video of Abby and I climbin' on up it on 01 July 2023. In this video we begin on the West side near Diamond Lake and follow the South ridge around to the East face of the summit for the final pinnacle climb.
00:00 - Intro
00:27 - Approach
04:26 - Summit Pinnacle
08:07 - Summit
08:31 - Rappel
08:57 - Descent
09:50 - Sign off
zhlédnutí: 389

Video

Summiting Eldorado Peak - Washington
zhlédnutí 1,3KPřed 8 měsíci
Eldorado Peak stands 8,868 ft tall in the North Cascades National Park, Washington. This video documents my 24 June 2023 summit. The trailhead is socked in at a low elevation of 2,170 ft. After the initial creek crossing, a roughly 4,000 ft push through the trees and boulders will take you up into the snowfields. After crossing and descending the main ridge, the glacier travel is not too steep ...
Summiting and Splitboarding Middle Sister Volcano
zhlédnutí 833Před 11 měsíci
Middle Sister is a volcanic peak standing ~10,056ft tall in Deschutes County, Oregon. This video documents my 22 April 2023 summit and snowboard descent. It was a good time of year for splitboarding, but there was still snow covering the road below 5,000ft elevation, so my car didn't make it all the way to Pole Creek Trailhead. The standard route is typically about a 14 mile round trip, but I w...
Larch Mountain - Good view of Mt Hood near Portland
zhlédnutí 356Před rokem
05 March 2022 run up Larch Mountain from Multnomah Falls Worth the view! 14 miles round trip car-to-car time 4:03 Video Contents: 00:00 - Intro 00:17 - Trail No. 441 to Larch Mtn 02:37 - Sherrard Point 04:23 - Mt Hood Comes Out 04:34 - Sign Off
How to Summit Oregon's Most Broken Volcano
zhlédnutí 886Před rokem
Broken Top is apparently a "glacially eroded complex" stratovolcano. Up until now, I thought it's jagged shape was the result of eruption. But I digress... 20 miles West of Bend, right past Mt Bachelor but before South Sister along the Cascade Lakes Highway, Broken Top sits and waits. Standing around 9,175 ft tall, Broken Top is shorter than the adjacent Three Sister Volcanoes. It is a bit long...
Splitboarding Mt Adams - Washington's 2nd Highest
zhlédnutí 4,8KPřed rokem
In this 20 June 2022 video, I ascend about 6,700 ft to summit and splitboard down from Mt Adams' 12,281 ft apex. This 12 mile round trip route (Lunch Counter Approach) begins at the South Climb Trail 183 around 5,500 ft elevation. Although, Mt Adams is Washington's 2nd tallest volcano, the standard route up the south ridge is very straight forward. Route info: www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/mount-...
Splitboarding Mt Saint Helens - Solo Summit
zhlédnutí 9KPřed 2 lety
Since exploding in 1980 and being declared a national monument in 1982, Mount Saint Helens has become one of the most well known of the major Cascade peaks. In this video I take advantage of a spring storm clearing up and get a nice splitboarding session in the last day before permit season begins. The Climber's Bivouac was still not accessible due to remaining snow, so I accessed the mountain ...
Icy Multnomah Falls-Devils Rest Loop Run
zhlédnutí 169Před 2 lety
Icy Multnomah Falls-Devils Rest Loop Run
Snowy Dog Mountain Run - Washington Columbia River Gorge
zhlédnutí 257Před 2 lety
Snowy Dog Mountain Run - Washington Columbia River Gorge
Splitboarding - How NOT to Summit North Sister
zhlédnutí 1,7KPřed 2 lety
Splitboarding - How NOT to Summit North Sister
Climbing Mt Hood - Leuthold Couloir Route
zhlédnutí 2,9KPřed 2 lety
Climbing Mt Hood - Leuthold Couloir Route
Climbing North Sister Volcano - Solo Summit
zhlédnutí 2,8KPřed 2 lety
Climbing North Sister Volcano - Solo Summit
Summiting and Glissading California's Lassen Peak
zhlédnutí 807Před 3 lety
Summiting and Glissading California's Lassen Peak
Splitboarding Mt Baker - Solo Summit
zhlédnutí 6KPřed 3 lety
Splitboarding Mt Baker - Solo Summit
Splitboarding Mt Hood - Solo Summit
zhlédnutí 18KPřed 3 lety
Splitboarding Mt Hood - Solo Summit
Climbing Oregon's Mt Washington Alone
zhlédnutí 3,8KPřed 3 lety
Climbing Oregon's Mt Washington Alone
Climbing Oregon's Mt Thielsen Alone
zhlédnutí 2,3KPřed 3 lety
Climbing Oregon's Mt Thielsen Alone
Climbing Montana's Granite Peak
zhlédnutí 4,5KPřed 3 lety
Climbing Montana's Granite Peak
Climbing Idaho's Borah Peak
zhlédnutí 2,4KPřed 3 lety
Climbing Idaho's Borah Peak
Climbing Oregon's Three Fingered Jack Alone
zhlédnutí 3,2KPřed 3 lety
Climbing Oregon's Three Fingered Jack Alone
Climbing Oregon's Mt. Jefferson Alone
zhlédnutí 8KPřed 3 lety
Climbing Oregon's Mt. Jefferson Alone

Komentáře

  • @MattCookOregon
    @MattCookOregon Před 12 dny

    Ur nuts. I want to get this one on video but haven't been able to schedule with someone who has done it before.

    • @summitspecials
      @summitspecials Před 4 dny

      If the timing worked out I'd be iinterested in climbing with yoh

    • @MattCookOregon
      @MattCookOregon Před 3 dny

      @@summitspecials Wow nice. Someone said they might be into end of July. June-July best window of conditions in your opinion?

  • @mountfairweather
    @mountfairweather Před 21 dnem

    Man those are some hard swings

  • @MattCookOregon
    @MattCookOregon Před 25 dny

    This is epic!

  • @Leon-qh9br
    @Leon-qh9br Před 26 dny

    70?

  • @MattCookOregon
    @MattCookOregon Před 26 dny

    Great video!

    • @summitspecials
      @summitspecials Před 25 dny

      Thanks man. I've watched a lot of your vids too lol. Like your style. -Cheers!

    • @MattCookOregon
      @MattCookOregon Před 25 dny

      @@summitspecials Thank you. I often just go around CZcams fishing for compliments. But really I was looking into teaching people fixed line stuff at thielsen. The fixed line anchor seems to have limitless possiblities. I see you got some splitboarding videos too thats great and I want to get into that.

  • @arcadegamesify
    @arcadegamesify Před měsícem

    whoa, how do you know where you can walk soloing over glaciers with no rope? Won't you die if you fall through into a crevasse??

    • @summitspecials
      @summitspecials Před měsícem

      Not sure I have the best answer lol. In this case, the formations were easy to identify and avoid. That crevasse on Eldorado is more of a collapsed edge against the ridge, not a deep, complex glacial crack. Where I crossed over was not steep so risk of slipping in was low and it was wide enough to stay several feet away from all edges. Could have tumbled down a few meters or so if I fell in. Would be able to climb out if uninjured. But I just did my reasearch and studied the snow condition as I went, so there were no surprises. In general, I think it is critical to understand the difference between early and late season. Research can tell you what areas are more likely to be unstable/active, and experience can tell you exactly where crevasses were years prior, but there is no way I'm stumbling around a crevasse area by myself when there is fresh snow coverage. A good start for crevasses being revealed is two weeks of full sun with no new snow. I do research and scouting missions to determine best times of year for each route to reduce risk as a solo, and climb early before sun weakens the snow. I also prefer putting myself between climbing groups if there are any. A lot of times I only step where others have been stepping. Still can't apply all precautions and generally take on more risk than a roped team. I've gotten used to going up to my own risk tolerance and knowing when to stop and turn around as soon as I hit that limit. Cheers!

  • @joshsmith3650
    @joshsmith3650 Před měsícem

    I hunt below this mountain and always look in awe knowing my ass will never climb it lol. Thank you for sharing

    • @summitspecials
      @summitspecials Před 25 dny

      Nice lol. Im from Alabama and haven't gotten around to figuring out how to hunt in oregon. You go there for deer or something else?

    • @joshsmith3650
      @joshsmith3650 Před 25 dny

      @@summitspecials I live on mount hood in sandy Oregon so I hunt deer and elk here every year. I can’t wait to leave this crappy state lol. I say that politically. I love everything else about this state. I’m 3 hours from high desert, 2-1/2 hours from the beach, 1/2 hour from mount hood, 2 hours from a rain forest plus the Columbia gorge is only 45 min away with endless waterfalls and hundreds of miles of hiking trails. Geographically it’s an amazing place and one of a kind. Western Oregon deer and elk (PCT and west) are over the counter, but the forest is stupid thick and steep. Eastern Oregon (PCT and east) are on a point system. They take some archery hunts 1 year to get, and then some rifle hunts taking 28 years to draw one tag. Seems to be on parr with most heavily hunted states specially with the predator releases and drops in tags available.

    • @joshsmith3650
      @joshsmith3650 Před 25 dny

      Pct is Pacific Crest Trail

  • @stevej2947
    @stevej2947 Před měsícem

    Maybe this question is stupid, but how did you get the rope back when you desceded? Or did you pick it up when you climbed, then leave it for the next person? I've never climbed, but now I think about it I'm guessing you have it hooked and looped over the anchor point at the top, then when you detach you just pull all the rope. Kinda like a pulley system??

    • @summitspecials
      @summitspecials Před měsícem

      Yep. Rope has to be doubled in order to be able to pull it down. So with my 60m rope I can do a 30m rappel. It is just looped through a sling. This means both ends of the rope have to go through the belay device. This does require leaving behind a sling or some sort of anchor. It alsi may be best to use belay loops. You'll typically come across slings and other equipment left behind by other climbers. I have more often used what is already there without having to leave my own. It is generally the case if somebody comes along and the sling is worn, sun faded, tattered, or otherwise damaged and unfit for use, they'll go ahead and remove the equipment (now trash). It is up to you to inspect and make sure a setup is safe to use. Cant just assume somebody knew what they were doing. Cheers!

  • @brettcorbit
    @brettcorbit Před měsícem

    Yo this was amazing. Thanks for the footage! Just summited Hood alone yesterday so Jefferson is on my radar now.

    • @summitspecials
      @summitspecials Před měsícem

      Congrats man! Jeffy may be a good next challenge. The long, indirect approach makes it a good bit harder overall, but the technical portion is compareable in danger to Hood. Definitelt requires more navigation skill. If you go at it alone, know you may not see many other people out there and if you get in trouble it is unlikely anybody will come along to find you. It took me multiple failed attempts to land on that route. If you're like me, being alone on the East side is eerie and there will be an extra mental load that builds the further you go. Its a good place to learn about yourself lol. Good luck and think clearly out there. Cheers!

  • @adrianreyes2126
    @adrianreyes2126 Před 2 měsíci

    😮Looks pretty technical and intense

  • @PowderMonkey4Life
    @PowderMonkey4Life Před 3 měsíci

    All that rock sucks czcams.com/video/2BApQiAoNrA/video.html

  • @landonboomsma2594
    @landonboomsma2594 Před 3 měsíci

    What was the date you hiked Borah?

  • @spifffffff
    @spifffffff Před 3 měsíci

    That’s a lot of vertical for 4 miles! Love the vids Alex, look forward to more

    • @summitspecials
      @summitspecials Před 3 měsíci

      Indeed, this route has a steeper, shorter approach than most of the big loan standing peaks around the PNW. The canyon you start out in is narrow and deep. Thanks for the comment!

  • @brayanwood2104
    @brayanwood2104 Před 3 měsíci

    Stop being a dick to the marmots. They’re cooler than you’ll ever be.

  • @jarmoh3757
    @jarmoh3757 Před 3 měsíci

    This is great content. I live in Portland, your videos are getting me inspired. I used to do rope rescue and really appreciate your focus on the details.

  • @jakechanley9480
    @jakechanley9480 Před 3 měsíci

    Epic climb and great video. How long of a rope did you need to rappel off the summit?

    • @summitspecials
      @summitspecials Před 3 měsíci

      My rope was 60m and I used every bit of it. Could get away with 50m if thqts all you had. Cheers!

  • @MarkMetternichPhotographyLLC

    What month of the year did you climb this? Great job. It was the first mountain. I climbed it about 10 years old. I’ve only climbed it twice. I might climb it again. This time alone.

    • @summitspecials
      @summitspecials Před 3 měsíci

      It was 29 August 2020. That is awesome I cant imagine getting into this kind of stuff at such a young age. Cheers!

  • @frankblangeard8865
    @frankblangeard8865 Před 4 měsíci

    2:35 Near the legit structure 'way out there' is a legit parking lot and a legit road. The road closes for the winter. When it is open there would be as many as a hundred people walking around the area near the summit.

  • @ocupadaocupada7248
    @ocupadaocupada7248 Před 4 měsíci

    Thank you so much, for this awesome !

  • @BrandonDelbertLee
    @BrandonDelbertLee Před 4 měsíci

    Finally making the choice to switch to a split board any advice for a first time buyer?

    • @summitspecials
      @summitspecials Před 4 měsíci

      My man! Switching from booting or touring skiis?

  • @scottgriffith407
    @scottgriffith407 Před 5 měsíci

    Why climb steep on a rope if you aren't sticking in a picket / ice screw to simul? Looked steep and icy enough that if one of you fell, the other would just get yanked off his feet. Not criticizing specifically. Just looked for you thought process. Maybe you guys are just super confident in that terrain and though a fall was super duper unlikley?

    • @summitspecials
      @summitspecials Před 5 měsíci

      You are right that we were not fully protecting. Mainly roped up to cross the known crevasse on lower reid glacier and after that point we just kept moving. I agree fully with your criticism and I dont like being stuck under rope teams on hood for the sake reason. They go down together. Lead climber can help support weaker downhill climber, small time to react as he feels rope get loaded, but if he gets cherry bombed or falls himself, it is 2 dead instead of 1. Fun stuff!

  • @brayanwood2104
    @brayanwood2104 Před 5 měsíci

    Awesome video! It’s cool that you took your sister with you on this climb.

    • @summitspecials
      @summitspecials Před 5 měsíci

      Lol well your mom was busy

    • @brayanwood2104
      @brayanwood2104 Před 5 měsíci

      @@summitspecials I freaking love your sense of humor! Keep killing it!

  • @creeks-and-peaks
    @creeks-and-peaks Před 5 měsíci

    My favorite Cascade volcano! Love your videos mate

  • @jaredempey5706
    @jaredempey5706 Před 5 měsíci

    Great video. Love to see you with a faithful sidekick! I hope to make it out there this spring

  • @bryanjpacheco4350
    @bryanjpacheco4350 Před 5 měsíci

    It’s April so early in the season, does the curvasses are already solid to cross in?

    • @summitspecials
      @summitspecials Před 5 měsíci

      April is generally early enough such that the crevasses are still largely covered by snow. This makes the snowfields look easier but doesn't remove the risk of falling through unstable snow. It is safest on a clear day when there are a lot of people out and a solid boot track to stay in. You are less likely to randomly fall through once the snow has melted down in later months, but then you have to deal with more crevasse navigation and crossing snow bridges. In either case, it is recommended to be roped up in a team to reduce risk of touching the void. Cheers!

  • @tyronesmith3812
    @tyronesmith3812 Před 5 měsíci

    Any recommendations on staying warm during an early morning pre hike dump in the woods? I can never start a hike without pissing or taking a dump, but when I try to at 3 AM it's like 30 degrees outside

    • @summitspecials
      @summitspecials Před 5 měsíci

      My best advice on #2 is get it over with before you start lol. One reason I love longer spring days where I can generally wait to start after daylight. I always bring plenty of TP, and on days where I head out before 4am or so I will surely end up on the side of the trail. My goal is usually to work things out before breaking the treeline. Being stuck somewhere like Mt Hood above Timberline with people all around half the night and all morning is the worst lol. Grin and bare it! ;)

  • @michael-lucanatt8009
    @michael-lucanatt8009 Před 6 měsíci

    Hey was wondering what the harness was for in that one climbing section of you’re not roped up? Thanks!

    • @summitspecials
      @summitspecials Před 5 měsíci

      The harness is a Black Diamond Couloir. I prefer the use of the harness for leashing my snow axe to change hands easily and be able to arrest myself comfortably. This way my hands can be more free and I'm also already prepared to join a rope team in a pinch, clip onto a line, or be rescued or assist in rescues more easily in a fall scenario. It is a minimalist harness that takes up little space and although I wasn't carrying a rope that day I had some additional crevasse rescue and anchoring gear. Thanks for the comment!

  • @grantkaster6176
    @grantkaster6176 Před 6 měsíci

    Thats barren, tried going to the top last year mid june, and it was covered in snow and ice, i was prepared with crampons and ice axe. Made it up near the top past chicken out ridge and saw a storm approaching that ended up missing the mountian. 😢 I will be back this next summer to go at it again!

    • @summitspecials
      @summitspecials Před 5 měsíci

      Nice! Definitely worth starting out early just in case of thunder storms if you have a long drive. We got lucky the wind never kicked up on us, but were a bit worried at the time. I can imagine chicken out ridge would take a lot longer with snow cover. Hope you make it next time!

  • @silasmarner7586
    @silasmarner7586 Před 6 měsíci

    At 16:41 that's the queen's chair. I took a nice long break there. There's more exposure above but the climbing is easy.

    • @summitspecials
      @summitspecials Před 5 měsíci

      Man, I remember being desperate to get out of the steep and make it over that hump to see the other side and rest. The final pitch from there is a nice rewarding walk by comparison, lol. Thanks for the info. Cheers!

  • @silasmarner7586
    @silasmarner7586 Před 6 měsíci

    Nice work! I climbed it in Feb. of '94. The narrow steep section in the middle is of course the crux, and is referred to as the hourglass. We were probably 30 minutes later in the sun's path and stuff from the top zinged at us hitting me a few times. You're in better shape than I was for sure! I didn't recall difficulty with my axes but I don't remember. Our snow conditions were a bit better than what I see here, lowering the main part of the climb by one grade.. I didn't complain. But after Leuthold's, coming down the slogsback was like walking down a sidewalk - with my chest puffing out with bravado. Of course you can die just as easily going down the slogsback. with the simulclimb rope-adope technique I recommend the upper guy has you on some sort of belay. When you get all tired and shit (I was feeling as badly as you!) . I know JUST what is was like.

    • @summitspecials
      @summitspecials Před 5 měsíci

      Nice! I feel lucky because I was just starting to lose purchase and struggle as it got icy in the hour glass, but then was able to kick in again once on the snowfield above it. I decided that day I would never do Leuthold with normal snowboard boots again. Cheers!

  • @baconisshakespeare5680
    @baconisshakespeare5680 Před 6 měsíci

    wow.

  • @jarfrobinksss
    @jarfrobinksss Před 7 měsíci

    7.5 hours of intense work for 15 minutes of "fun" on jelly legs...we're a unique bunch :)

    • @summitspecials
      @summitspecials Před 5 měsíci

      I am starting to think it is more humbling than rewarding, but we like going outside and need exercise anyway, right?

  • @nickradner5325
    @nickradner5325 Před 7 měsíci

    Good vid Alex. I get a lot of Beta from your stuff. Appreciated

  • @jeremyhays9433
    @jeremyhays9433 Před 7 měsíci

    should be wearing a helmet

  • @duckdog2017
    @duckdog2017 Před 8 měsíci

    The burn zone was all the way back to 2003.

  • @jacobwolf9840
    @jacobwolf9840 Před 8 měsíci

    Cool video, super informative. Can't tell if the fart at 6:25 was dubbed in 😂

  • @adamwebb2600
    @adamwebb2600 Před 8 měsíci

    Epic content! Thanks for taking the time to document and share! On the icy part of the coulior you guys we’re basically soloing right? Neither could’ve arrested the other in a fall?

    • @summitspecials
      @summitspecials Před 8 měsíci

      Hey, Thanks! If the uphill climber falls, all the downhill can do is brace for impact. The uphill climber will generally be feeling some amount of tension in the rope as he climbs. If downhill climber just slips, the uphill climber will likely feel tension build in time to react and provide support. Don't want to have much slack in the rope to avoid dynamic loading as much as possible. A real fall with some shock load would probably take us both down in the icy a. The primary use of the rope was for crossing the snow covered crevasse below the couloir. If the climb was much more difficult, we would probably have used a couple ice screws where possible.

  • @nathanway803
    @nathanway803 Před 8 měsíci

    Great vids. Thanks!

  • @jaredempey5706
    @jaredempey5706 Před 8 měsíci

    Great job explaining the route. Looks amazing. This one will definitely need to be on my list

  • @rdub507
    @rdub507 Před 8 měsíci

    who is your sister? ha

  • @LagmasterB
    @LagmasterB Před 9 měsíci

    I’m scared for your balls dude

    • @summitspecials
      @summitspecials Před 8 měsíci

      lol "No animals were harmed in the making of this film"

    • @LagmasterB
      @LagmasterB Před 8 měsíci

      @@summitspecials hahahaha

  • @LagmasterB
    @LagmasterB Před 9 měsíci

    “Never let go Jack” loll

  • @LagmasterB
    @LagmasterB Před 9 měsíci

    Inspiring dude. Thx for recording. What pack are you rocking?

  • @LagmasterB
    @LagmasterB Před 9 měsíci

    This man represents what every great resort snowboarder or skier would have to do to get down

  • @LagmasterB
    @LagmasterB Před 9 měsíci

    Phenomenal. Crusty AF but so worth it.

    • @summitspecials
      @summitspecials Před 8 měsíci

      I think if you are going to climb the mountain anyway, splitting makes the overall effort easier, even if you have to carry the board most of the way and the riding conditions are shit. Usually knocks a couple hours or so off the round trip compared to booting the whole thing.

  • @LagmasterB
    @LagmasterB Před 9 měsíci

    “Used splitboard for sale..may have small lava rock embedded in base”

  • @creeks-and-peaks
    @creeks-and-peaks Před 9 měsíci

    You are so cool. Keep climbing!

  • @theodorkea3570
    @theodorkea3570 Před 10 měsíci

    Promo>SM

  • @jaredempey5706
    @jaredempey5706 Před 10 měsíci

    Great video; I am hopefully heading out next week to try this one and a few others you have done. If you had to rate the following mountains you have done on a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the most technical, how would you rate them? Broken Top, Three Fingered Jack, Mount Washington, North Sister. As a reference, I thought the Pearly Gates route on Hood was maybe a 3 and Dog Mountain a 1.TIA, just trying to gauge how seriously I should take each one.

    • @summitspecials
      @summitspecials Před 10 měsíci

      I would separate Mt Hood, Jefferson, North Sister in winter/spring conditions (steep snow/ice) from doing Broken Top, 3FingJack, Washington, or Thielsen (scramble/rock climbing) in the summer time when there is no snow to deal with. For snow/ice, the pearly gates or Leuthold's are about as steep as I can handle. The traverse on Jefferson is a similiar danger until the snow melts... For late summer peaks, I would order them in technical difficulty from easiest to hardest/most dangerous as follows: North Sister, Broken Top, Thielsen, Three Fingered Jack, Washington... North Sister takes more mileage and has a higher risk of falling rock, but is relatively easy to climb. Broken Top is loose, but not as steep. 3FingJack and Washington are somewhat loose but have relatively stable summit pinnacles. Thielsen may be the steepest but has relatively good quality rock quality for climbing. For each peak, the areas that are dangerous to down climb are generally easy to rappel. I'll probably never do Hood in the late summer or Washington in the winter. Hope that helps some.

    • @jaredempey5706
      @jaredempey5706 Před 10 měsíci

      @@summitspecials thanks. This helps a lot. You and your videos are the best for information on the Oregon peaks

  • @JamesOfEarth
    @JamesOfEarth Před 11 měsíci

    I’ll stick to just hiking around it, thx!