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I've been down low for a bit too long. Well it's been 2 months or so. Anyhow not looking for something technical, just a hike and mild climb relatively close by.

Much info on TFJ this time of year? I found a good Cascade CLimbers TR for May. I dont intend to summit, just stretch the legs and go up til I deem special unsafe to go further without protection. I'm limited on real climb gear and partners, they happened to move out of the area.

Anyone been out that way? I am just looking to see if route finding can be an issue this time when there may be full snow-cover. Makes it less tedious if you can see, rather than regularly hitting up the map and compass. I was thinking about getting some cheap cross country skis just because. Seems like this may be a nice region for that.

Any info or pointers is appreciated!

It's been raining in Bend consistently recently, which I'm guessing equates to plenty of snow @ higher elevations (I'm guessing so- heard that Bachelor has the 2nd highest amount of snow of a resort in the US right now). This means that avalanche conditions might also definitely be a concern. It also means you'll likely want skis to get anywhere. Unsure of access- haven't been up in that area outside of summer (yet). I might be interested in going up there to check it out. Gimme a shout if you decide to go. After New Year's, I'll be fairly free (don't have a great deal of time commitments). Let me know if you're interested, & if it doesn't work out, good luck!

So I am guessing you're in Bend?

Driving shouldn't be a problem as is is right off the highway near HooDoo's turnout. Suppose to be about a 9-10 mile round trip to the top, which I dont plan on, certainly not alone. I'd be staying out of apparent avalanche regions. Should be ~relatively~ easy since it is a mild ridge line that the PCT follows until you break off it.

Have snowshoes, no skis. I want to pick up some cheap cross-country skis this winter. Dont know jack about the binding and boot types. Regrettably, I am moving out of the Pacific NW once I get a job in my major. No much point in forking over a lot of money on 'good' gear. It'll probably be a few months, though. Pretty unlikely I will be around here.

So yes, I will remember your offer. You have lead climbing on 5.X? In the event you want to summit. Closest I've done is the Thielsen pinnacle and took a ice climbing class, but it didn't focus on lead climbing.

Here is HooDoo as of today, so there is definitely snow.