This year my brother Stan and new sister-in-law Valerie decided they wanted to give Hood a try. Scott and Raya signed on to give it another try, and Roger Wong volunteered to help. Valerie unfortuately had to bail because her rental boots were chewing up her feet (thanks, REI for renting men's boots to a woman!). But the day was perfect for the rest of us - cool and sunny, safe conditions, though the Pearly Gates had 30 feet of pretty solid ice - exciting to lead with one light glacier axe and dull aluminum crampons!