| Steve Dougherty ~ May 8, 2004 |
| Fifteen early risers completed the first ever Mary's Peak Mountain Fitness Hike. Hikers met at the North Ridge Trailhead at 6:15 a.m. Leader, Steve Dougherty, weighed each participant's pack with a bathroom scale in order to standardize the effort among participants. Most hikers carried packs of approximately 25 pounds but pack weights ranged between 14 and 35 pounds. Hikers began the timed hike promptly at 6:30 a.m. Steve Dougherty and Kathy Jameson started at 6:35 a.m. The group was quickly sorted into two main groups. The lead group of Chuck Messer, Keith Hill, Greg Tedrow, and Kirk Kraschel set a blistering pace through the misty old growth forest and established a hike record of 1:30 from trailhead to summit. Scott Phillips and Ken Prowse arrived 15 minutes later. Linda Bedard took the Tie Trail "alternate" route which likely added some distance to her hike but still arrived in a strong 1:50. Steve Dougherty and Jeff Howell arrived at 1:58. Cynde Alt leaned out the next bunch of Beth Casper, Brian Fukuda, and Kathy Jameson, as they arrived at the rainy, blustery finish in 2:05. They were followed closely by Shannon Tennant and Tammy Phillips in 2:07 and 2:08 respectively. Thanks to Scott Phillips for playing the role of time keeper. Hikers did not dally long on the wet and windy summit and soon found shelter and calm in the trees as they headed back down. Hikers snacked and rehydrated at the trailhead before going their separate ways. In the future, prospective Mt. Hood climbers should carry a 35 pound pack and expect to summit in under 2:00. Scott Phillips recommended four other mountain fitness hikes: Dome Rock, Sardine Mountain, Crescent Mountain and Rooster Rock (Hwy 20). |
| Spencer McCoy ~ May 29, 2004 |
| My wife Nina and I just completed this hike today. (may 29th) We hiked together, and both of us had packs right at or slightly over 25 lbs. We completed the hike in 1:40 minutes. The day was decent most of the trip but at the top it was windy, cold, misting, and time spent in a cloud with no view beyond about 50 yards. As an ironic side bar, I had just spent yesterday explaining the effects of Hypothermia to a group of hikers in my hiking club, so what do I do today? In my overconfidence in the weather and feeling I would be working hard uphill most of the time, I did not bring gloves or long pants. the cold at the top was enough to make my bear hands numb and hurt, so we did not linger at the top for a very long lunch. Live and learn. |
| Bob Sigloh ~ Apr 12, 2007 |