Mount Thielsen // The Lightning Rod of the Cascades

This mountain was nowhere on my radar. I had never heard of it until Ben sent me a text asking if I’d be interested in coming out to Oregon and skiing its dramatic slopes. I can now say that Mount Thielsen offers a lot in a small package. There’s several entertaining lines to ski, a small scramble to the summit and a prominent viewpoint. We skied 3 lines and each line had its own pleasant vibe. The day before climbing Thielsen, we attempted to ski Mount Diamond but were driven back by the wind, visibility and bullet proof surface conditions. We were concerned that the conditions would be the same on Mount Thielsen.
On Mount Thielsen’s Wikipedia page we are told that all the ski slopes are rated black diamond. So that’s cool. The mountain is also referred to as Big Cowhorn. However, I prefer the more electrifying title The Lightning Rod of the Cascades. You can tell I enjoy the name because I repeat it several times in the video. The internet claims that Mount Thielsen is struck by lightning more often than any other mountain in the range. There’s even a type of mineral? Or rock? that appears when lightning strikes it's summit.

[@philhurst9053]

It is a wise man who knows when to say enough. Looks like a fun day.

[@sìmonmìamishreds]

Most underrated channel on youtube. Keep it up Danny!!

[@drewwatts2803]

As someone that has climbed this beast, that summit block is not for the faint of heart. Respect to Ben for knowing when to call it

[@jddallager1699]

Ditto on the respect! That's one of the great things about Mediocre Amateur that I so enjoy - - they use commonsense and respect the risk/reward ratio of each other. Well done Ben and Danny!!!

[@SpAm-AcCoUnT]

Dude, I love this mountain so fucking much. It looks like a snaggletoothed hell-spike from every angle, yet it’s actually a really pleasant ascent and ski down, with a super consistent grade, the ability to ski all the way back to the car, excellent views, and a reasonably short distance. Best of both worlds. Look like a hero, feel relaxed and psyched.

[@TheOreamnos55]

Nice to see such chill and casual treatment of someone knowing when something is more than someone is up to doing. It's a common topic of discussion with my mountaineering students, and I wish everyone were so cool with knowing when to say "when".

[@pagewhite8177]

Nice to “meet” you Ben, I hope we’ll see you again. Great video Danny!

[@nicolasbertin8552]

I was in Crater Lake just last year, it was my 5th trip to the US, and that park is one of the best views I've had in my life... It rivals the Grand Canyon to be honest, just the sheer size and blueness of the lake left me in awe, stayed there for 3 days, did all the day hikes possible, and wasn't tired at all of the view.

[@jacklhota6734]

Nice video Danny! Ben is a nice addition. Keep it up!

[@kenwbrenner]

Great job as always Danny. I'm an avid hiker, but because of your great videos, I get to be more through your efforts. I must admit I've said a quick prayer for you from time to time. Pray you will always be protected and safe.

[@SeniorTurner]

I was just at crescent lake enjoying the view of diamond peak. Glad you are in our area getting after it!! Cheers from Bend, OR

[@jwhoward182]

Great to see a trip into my old stomping grounds. Thank you for a great video Danny! And we know your wife cares.

[@sawyerstever5933]

Dang, you guys were right up in my backyard. I did Diamond Peak the same day you guys did Thielsen. I loved the Thielsen climb, glad you guys came out this way!

[@marleiseturner4689]

So glad your channel popped up!! You two made a great video of your very brave and fun adventure. I am a 68 year old grandmother and I hope my grandchildren will get out and take nature in especially summit some of our beautiful Cascade Mountains. The Umpqua National Forest is beautiful. I do not ski but in Summer it is lovely to take the Bachelor chairlift to the top. On a clear day you can see Shasta. We are 28 miles from Bachelor in Bend. Be well and thank you for showing me Mt. Thielsen or Big Cowhorn to our friends in Southern Oregon.

[@tkmjees]

Good job Ben for calling it a day. These guys often make it look too easy and it can be tricky to stay within your limits if you join the crew.

[@Dorkus_]

congrats on 100k subs! I watch every episode, so I am glad to see your channel grow!!

[@virob9561]

Love from the UK. Man the states has it all!

[@maxscriptguru]

Glad you chose sanity and took off your skis and put on your crampons for the final snow climb. Great video. Loved it.

[@BearPlane747]

Awesome vid, cool to see ya out in my backyard, central oregon cascsdes! I see on your strava that there may be a Mount McLoughlin vid coming up?

[@jtcollins2112]

Another great MA outing. Well done boys!

[@bludgeonedofficial]

Best channel on all of KZbin!!!

[@MrJosuecf]

Incredible footage very well done, keep up the good work!! ❤

[@MtJochem]

I love the excitement Ben brings!

[@philiptaylor7902]

Great video, and wise advice - know your limits in the mountains.

[@BreakOutOfTheAlgorithm]

I am always here for the inspiration and hope! Y'all are the most inspiring mountaineers I know. Thank you so much for bringing us along on your adventures! 👁️🙏👁️

[@markmclain1956]

Thielsen is a nice day climb with great views. In the summer, the snow becomes scree which still makes for an interesting boot ski. The trick there is to keep those little pebbles out of your boots. Nice video.

[@gardenhose590]

Sunday joy! Thanks Danny!

[@sjldfilms5126]

Ben you are a beast!! Danny love your content, always.

[@domesticterrorist483]

Sunday has just gotten sooooo much better!

[@austinado16]

Fantastic little jaunt gentlemen! Ben! Great job. You handled the entire day like a pro!

[@SeeChadRun]

Epic adventure! Beautiful mountain/area!

[@maadhat]

Didn’t even know this one existed and now I have to go check it out. Thank you 🙏

[@juand515]

Hey Ben is who I'm trying to be! Lol I'm at my fifth season but probably have about 1/3 of his days. I appreciate the inspiration! That scramble looked more like a 5.4 solo. I would've bailed too!

[@MrSpartanPaul]

Terrifying as always. Still getting over your descent of North Maroon 😮😮😮

[@robparks6904]

Love some Thielsen!

[@macmurfy2jka]

Nice to see you posting!

[@phoenixkirchoff5268]

A Bailey (across the lake) and a Thielsen combo is the way to go. The bowl on Bailey is one of the bigger bowls you can do, but with some caution cause of the avys. Loved the vid from my Winter backyard🤙🤙🤙

[@johnfullwood2642]

Scrambling was definitely the best bit 👌. Epic looking mountain too! ⛰️

[@PerfDayToday]

Heh.. nice! welcome to my old hood, used to climb Mt T in the summers many times, mostly while in high school. Across from Diamond Lake is Mt Bailey and used to ski cat that many times as well. Last time I tired to summit Theilsen, I too stopped before that final spire/pitch-risk budgets change. There’s a big slab over on Crater Lake rim, N side called Llao Rock that always has looked interesting, but for most, Garfield Peak is the main objective. Once talked w a NP park employee who rode a slide off Garfield, kinda splayed his hip bones open-painful.

[@BenKenobiCooks]

Awesome vid again guys! LOL My name is also Ben and I stopped just short of the summit my first time up because the exposure is no joke. Went back a few years later and had my glorious victory, which I'm sure you'll do to brother. There is a ledge at the base of the summit block notoriously named "Chicken Ledge". It haunted my dreams for years lol Also the summit is the only place in the world you can see the waters of Crater Lake from other than the shore. Have a great day Ya'll!

[@codykittle6165]

Nice to see you out in my area!

[@3xlayers442]

Another great video footage. Nicely done, Danny! Thanks for sharing.

[@phillipshaw-qx8ow]

Danny has a new amateur friend! Hoorah!

[@MountainHighSnow96]

That happy feeling when you see a new Mediocre Amateur video posted…

[@MacLeanWright]

Ben rocks! One of the most athletic dudes in the Wasatch

[@joshuajubb7950]

Yess!! I love Thielsen.

[@joren7653]

that drop😰 Im with Ben haha.

[@Smallfrye]

Yet another banger

[@seanmcguire61]

Killer looking rock formation.

[@koalakyle19]

Y E S T E R D A Y

[@lukeclark2522]

🧊🔥That's majestic AF! 2:38

[@ata1811]

From Scotland, sat near Crator Lake at Fort Klamath watching this! Gotta love Oregon!!

[@DM-yh6ok]

Ben skied almost every day of the season for 5 years in a row? I’d liked to know more about his ski lessons.

[@benjaminfox-shapiro4032]

Mostly backcountry skiing after work, its very convenient when you live south of Salt Lake City, trailheads are only 10-30 minutes from home. Grateful to have the opportunity to work in Utah!

[@garyhoffman1]

Yay! Grab some coffee and kick back.

[@richardblair919]

Attention grabbing day for sure, kudos to Ben on decision making.

[@ericryan2401]

Awesome. Love your work!

[@DogWhoFilms]

Damn. That’s a hike up if I’ve ever seen 1! Props

[@DogWhoFilms]

No really my legs will be absolute Jell-O by the time I got to the top so going down would not even be fun! (and this is coming from a northern Utah native… I guess what the other stators would call a Powder snob)

[@jordanmarsh601]

Pretty sure this is the only peak you can see Crater lake from. When you are away from the edge of the park.

[@spaceshipdms]

"not steep" you guys are great

[@markclowdus3834]

Can't believe it took me 14 minutes to notice this post. I'm losing it.😢

[@Paramedic772]

Danny, where’s the usual posse?

[@irytheweatherguy1751]

Epic!

[@sc9160]

You didn't mention it - but the summit of Mt Thielsen is the only place you can see the water of Crater lake outside the rim!

[@thecma3]

I've been dying to ski Thielsen!

[@makemake5237]

Great quality, as always! Keep it up!

[@davidtate166]

Very skilled at skiing.you to.

[@gleneverett9728]

Outstanding

[@michaelb1761]

Mt. Thielsen is very dramatic. I've never tried to go up it myself, but I did try Mt Bailey on the other side of Diamond Lake about five years ago and turned around while traversing the ridge near the top as bad weather moved in. I wanted to do Thielsen when I was younger, but know now that I would stop at Chicken Out Ledge and not do those last 40 feet. Congrats on what looked like a fun day.

[@phoenixkirchoff5268]

That knife ridge on Bailey is always a fun spot. Have always wanted to do an approach directly west from the lake to avoid it and hit the true summit in Winter. Maybe this next winter. I've been as high as "Chicken Out" on Thielsen and that was enough for me. Know of a couple people who have injured themselves descending the spire, as going down is the worst.

[@area51r]

looks like you have Blue Ice crampons... I have Blue Ice crampons... 🤩

[@GaryVaughan]

I was hoping for some killer drone footage from the top … that would have been amazing …. I’m with ben …. I would have stopped too

[@OverlandOrange]

Welcome to Oregon. 2:59 that's Diamond Lake.

[@erikseymour1]

I love it! ❤

[@ChadLubinski]

Good call Ben. It's even worse on the way down.

[@thog1234]

Don't be afraid to look like a skittle Ben!

[@risajackson564]

I was thinking the same thing 🤣

[@saurabhverma2165]

Danny please try some of the enchantment peaks in pnw. I am sure you gonna like the scenery.

[@gygantor360]

“A man’s got to know his limitations.” Dirty Harry

[@georgefnbush1867]

From 06:21-06:25 when he's zoomed in on Crater Lake, the mountain behind but above Crater Lake isn't Mt. Shasta, thats Mt. McLoughlin.

[@theworldhiker1]

Haven’t heard much about his peak! Thanks for another great adventure shared!

[@bradleykelsey5156]

New Amateur! Hell yeah

[@rafenatho5406]

My buddy died in 1986 when the helo they were being dropped of at the summit in crashed.

[@robertromero78]

Hey Danny, excellent video as always. Great new partner as well. On another note, have you ever done Glacier Peak in WA? Don't remember ever seeing it in your past videos. If not, have you ever thought about doing it? Just wondering. Thanks for all the great content.

[@benjaminfox-shapiro4032]

Glacier peak was actually our original plan for this trip but the weather was not cooperating up there

[@robertromero78]

@benjaminfox-shapiro4032 awesome to see you as a new mediocre amature! Great job out there Ben. I think it would be an excellent new peak for you guys to try out IMHO.

[@benjaminfox-shapiro4032]

@@robertromero78 Thanks! I have had some amazing spring ski days in Washington but it is tough to nail the weather and conditions. Luckily we were able to get a few great days in Oregon where the weather and snow conditions were better at the time.

[@shayneknox6247]

The best 😂

[@silasmarner7586]

I've beenup. There is a sprray painted route sometimes. Hmmm he coulda bin short-roped and been quite safe once you were on top.Great Video!

[@ColinRockFight]

Is it safe to do whip-its at altitude?

[@MichaelKostka-vd8zw]

Blake musta retired!

[@scottgriffith407]

When did you guys go up?

[@jaredempey5706]

How would you rate the summit? Some say class 3 and some say class 4. TIA

[@freestyledrtbk]

I didn't see when it happened but congratulations on 100k

[@ryanwaterbury7069]

Danny - when are you going to tackle Shasta? Or did i miss that episode?

[@justinbayola]

fuckin epic!

[@davidtate166]

No need for rope's pro.very fine.acent.

[@vashful338]

Anyone knows the intro music? 🙂🙂🙂

[@SomeDudeSomewhereOverThere]

Mediocre is in my state!? this is the closest to outdoor celebrities I know

[@j.r.1184]

Congrats gentlemen, nice tour, nice video. Danny, are those new Ski Trab's? 🤫 😁

[@skibrat]

Ever ski with women on your trips Danny? I can't ever recall seeing one.

[@risajackson564]

Why is no one commenting about the way Ben crammed his sandwich into his backpack? Where is the footage of this sandwich? Did it make it to the summit without being smashed? Roll the tape!!!

[@localgemskier9410]

First!!