Mt. Hood (Oregon Cascades; 11,237')

Mt. Hood is the highest peak in Oregon, and one of the solitary volcanoes that are common in the Pacific Northwest. Its vicinity to the city of Portland, OR, and the multitude of ski lifts on its lower slopes, make it an extremely popular climbing objective. It regularly makes the national news due to spectacular accidents, but in evaluating this one has to keep in mind the huge number of people who routinely climb it. As with most volcanoes, the guiding principle for climbing it on any route is: the more snow and ice there is on the mountain, the better; but of course one has to watch out for avalanche conditions. Also, in spring and early summer snow conditions can deterioate rapidly by mid-day, which regularly gets climbers in trouble.	Mt. Hood from the Southwest (Highway 26) in late May
Topo Map
Routes: South Side (moderate snow climb, steep ski descent) References: Jeff Thomas, Oregon High , Keep Climbing Press (Portland, OR 1991) Jeff Smoot, Summit Guide to the Cascade Volcanoes , Chockstone Press (Evergreen, CO 1992)

Date: June 16, 2002

Party: Dietrich and Paul Belitz

Route: South Side

Equipment: Crampons, ice axe, 50m rope, x-country skis

Time: Timberline Lodge - Summit:
Roundtrip from Timberline Lodge:

Comments:

Trip report: