1st Time Climbing Mt. Hood

[Superdoo]

So I’m going to be meeting a buddy and his relatives the first weekend in May to climb Hood.
This will be my first climb, they’ve all done it more than once.
Gear wise I’m prepared, just thought I’d see if anybody on here had any good stories or notes that they’d like to share.

 

[gonhunting247]

Have fun, you'll in my back yard (so to speak).

 

[98045]

Bring your skis. Just kidding…. Kind of…
That’s a fun one because you can see the whole route from the parking lot.


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[sneaky]

Once you reach the summit, you're only halfway. Most things go sideways on the descent. Don't let summiting force you into a bad situation. That mountain isn't going anywhere. Take lots of pics!

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[Wyobohunter]

@sneaky … great advice.

Don’t be afraid to call it and turn around if things don’t look right or feel right.

Otherwise, get lots of pics and have a great climb!

 

[Superdoo]

I’m excited. This isn’t something I ever thought I would do.
I still find myself wanting to take game bags, fishing equipment and a rifle because that’s typically my objective when I’m out in nature.
It seems weird to go to the top just to make it to the top rather than to see what’s on the other side.

 

[Wyobohunter]

I’m excited. This isn’t something I ever thought I would do.
I still find myself wanting to take game bags, fishing equipment and a rifle because that’s typically my objective when I’m out in nature.
It seems weird to go to the top just to make it to the top rather than to see what’s on the other side.

Climbing mountains is about much more than just making it to the top. Just like hunting is about much more than killing something. I think mountaineers and hunters have a lot more in common than many realize. I’d love to get a trip report and pics out of this. I’m envious

 

[Hoodie]

That's where my username comes from.

I'm assuming you're doing the South Side route if it's your first mountaineering trip. If so, expect company. Depending on fitness, I'd try to start around 1-2am to be towards the summit at sunrise. The mountain casts an epic shadow.

Watch out for dumb people if you do the Pearly Gates. A lot of accidents on Hood have involved people falling and taking out climbers beneath them in that section. The only crevasse on the route is right under the only semi-technical portion.



Nothing casts a cooler shadow than a Cascade volcano.

 

[Wyobohunter]

That's where my username comes from.

I'm assuming you're doing the South Side route if it's your first mountaineering trip. If so, expect company. Depending on fitness, I'd try to start around 1-2am to be towards the summit at sunrise. The mountain casts an epic shadow.

Watch out for dumb people if you do the Pearly Gates. A lot of accidents on Hood have involved people falling and taking out climbers beneath them in that section. The only crevasse on the route is right under the only semi-technical portion.

View attachment 399991

Nothing casts a cooler shadow than a Cascade volcano.

Man, what an awesome picture. I think the word “awesome” is overused. I don’t think it’s an exaggeration to use it here. Awesome!

 

[Hoodie]

Yeah, Oregon and Washington are far from the best hunting in the west but we do have some pretty sweet mountains.

 

[Hoodie]

This is a pic I snapped earlier this week. It's a spectacular mountain. You'll have a great time OP.

 

[Superdoo]

Well… Ma Nature isn’t cooperating with the plan so I’m looking at changing my flights and going out the week of the 16th.

 

[Wyobohunter]

Should it change much as far as weather and conditions go? It’d make me ask questions like: Are there crevasses to negotiate and if so will they still be filled in?

 

[Hoodie]

Typically the only crevasse on the route is open in May (but easy to skirt around or hop over), but with the recent snow I wouldn't be surprised if it's still filled in.

The Cascades got slammed with snow a few weeks back. I was getting snowed on at 1500 feet while bear hunting which may not happen again in my lifetime.

 

[Wyobohunter]

I hope @Superdoo has a great trip and posts a trip report with pics.

 

[gonhunting247]

View attachment 400002

This is a pic I snapped earlier this week. It's a spectacular mountain. You'll have a great time OP.

Looks like a pretty similar view
This is part of the snow from a couple weeks back.

 

[RS_Non-Res]

@gonhunting247 and @Hoodie ... nice match on the photos right down to the exact pair of taller trees and the pond between them.

 

[evergreenethos]

PNW sure does have some tig ol’ bitties! Looking forward to your report, I was planning on doing Helens and Baker back to back with one of my old Marine buddies but he just got a puppy and can’t come out now so we are postponing to next year. Disappointing but hey that means more time for scouting. Enjoy!

 

[Wyobohunter]

PNW sure does have some tig ol’ bitties! Looking forward to your report, I was planning on doing Helens and Baker back to back with one of my old Marine buddies but he just got a puppy and can’t come out now so we are postponing to next year. Disappointing but hey that means more time for scouting. Enjoy!

Semper Fi

 

[JeffP_Or]

I've tried 4 times over the years; twice never bothered going to the mountain due to changing conditions. One more time we cancelled due to avalanche conditions. The fourth due to higher temps and degrading snow. Lost contact with the climbing group after that so have never made it.
May is a shoulder season for climbing here - can be sketchy; later it gets the more chances of issues there are. It is amazing how many people summit Hood [and other PNW peaks] in sneakers; but it is just as amazing how many run into problems even when prepared.
Looking forward to your story and pics - make the most of it!