Historic Hood River
Thiokol On Ghost Ridge
10-21-2016
Notes
Not sure if these Crag Rats were on business or pleasure, but it sure looks like a fine day up on Ghost Ridge. This is a Bill Bryan photo, late 1940s or early 1950s.
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Charlott
Okay Bill Pattison, what years was this particular snow cat used. I would think it is probably in the 1950’s and not the 1940’s. I would think it is a "pleasure" run and not connected with search and rescue, as look at the smiling face on the "Rat" by the driver. Bill should be able to identify those in the photo. Can someone get close enough in to see what the flag is. I noticed right off Adams in the back ground.
L.E.
I had to google THIOKOL.
The December Sense of Place lecture will be about the Crag Rats.
I have said this here before, but it is worth repeating. As a kid, growing up at the west end of the gorge, I can remember my dad speaking of the Crag Rats with the greatest of respect for their rescue efforts.
Kenn
Would this machine be a Tucker or are there others. I had only heard the Tucker name as they were made in my hometown.
Jay
Lots of skis are loaded on the back so it does look like a pleasure outing. The Rats still sometimes ski Ghost Ridge during the February Winter Outing when we have the cat up at Cloud Cap. Skiers descend from Cloud Cap on the fun but low angle run to Inspiration Point, and the Cat comes down the road (not Ghost Ridge itself) and picks up the Rats for a ride up for more laps. We have ropes for one or more to ski up towed behind the cat. There might be drinking involved . . .
Longshot
Thiokol introduced the Packmaster in 1969, so assuming this was one of the earliest models and the Rats picked it up used the photo would be from the mid 70’s or later.
http://www.unusuallocomotion.com/pages/industrial/thiokol-and-lmc-tracked-vehicles.html
Arthur
Thank Longshot, that’s a very different date than I thought. Should be plenty of people around who can identify these Crag Rats.
Jay
Yes, those Atomic skis in the back would be ’70s at the earliest, and the guy looks like he has a ’70s haircut and vest as well.
He could be only 60 or so now. Maybe Bill Pattison can ID them.
Beth
The guy standing on the tracks is Jim Bryan, Bill’s younger son.