Historic Hood River
“Wiley Rat”
Notes
This one isn’t that old, but it’s still a mystery. The story a longtime Crag Rat tells me is the story he was told was sometime in the ’90s a guest of a Crag Rat left this drawing on a table at Cloud Cap Inn. Another Crag Rat says this drawing is on the wall at Cloud Cap. Apparently he’s been used on T shirts which some of you may still have.
The image is full of little details. His shoes have labels saying “front” and “side”, with a page from “The Oregon Journal” filling the oversize right show. The “Snow Survey Only” cup doubles as a toilet paper holder. He has a copy of the book “Mt Hood- The Easy Climbs- Tips- How To’s” in his pack. His Electra Glide skis have plugs and wires. I’m guessing the name “Wiley Rat” is an homage to “Wile E. Coyote” of Looney Toons fame.
The Oregon Journal went under in 1982 which could be a clue to Wiley’s age, or it could be an inside joke. Can anyone fill in any details or stories about the origin or history of Wiley Rat? It’s a shame for the artist to go uncredited.
2026 is the Centennial year for the Crag Rats. Events (and a museum exhibit) are planned. Don Pattison has a great Crag Rats history online which should answer all your questions– except who is responsible for Wiley Rat.
Leave A Comment