Be aware the Forest Service is planning to implement a $20/$100 to climb Mt. Hood if you don't comment. Stop by this page:
https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/mthood/recreation/?cid=FSEPRD1042889
to read more about this. Email them here:
SM.FS.MtHoodFees@usda.gov
Please remember to keep the email respectful but voice why such an expensive permit -per person- is over the top for a climb that often can be finished off by early afternoon by many.
kgreenery - Nov 26, 2019 9:47 pm Date Climbed: May 5, 2019
Pearly Gates Left - Mazamas Climb
Chose pearly gates left on a weekend. Pretty crowded.
cascadescrambler - Aug 5, 2019 11:04 pm Date Climbed: Jul 26, 1981
South Side - Hogsback?
I'm not sure we did the full Hogsback route, since we did the climb in two days, camping at the base of Illumination Rock and summiting from there.
Lenny72 - Jun 30, 2019 12:27 pm Date Climbed: Jun 24, 2019
Awesome Climb!
Woke up at midnight on the 23rd to no visibility and high wind so waited until the morning of the 24th. Conditions were still windy but clear and cold. Ascended via the Old Chute and descended the same way. The view from the summit was amazing.
Bhoopes - Jun 5, 2019 9:24 am Date Climbed: May 30, 2019
Hood
Perfect weather it was really good
shortiestpants - May 22, 2019 8:41 pm Date Climbed: May 11, 2019
Busy - for good reason!
Question: Anyone know if there is a specific word for the long shadow cast at dawn by a prominent mountain like Hood?
The report: First solo of the year under swell conditions, despite the preceding warm, sunny day. A cool breeze blowing over Palmer refroze snow fields early and hardened boot pack outside of the groomed track.
Left at 11:30 trying to stay in front of the larger groups leaving at 12, but headlamps were visible high above from early in the night.
Followed the Hogsback, stepped over the bergschrund uneventfully, stayed to the right into the Pearly Gates, then up the left chute to avoid a bottleneck of stagnant downclimbers, and up the last, steep pitch to the summit.
Topped out a little after 5, hung out for sunrise, and got in line to descend the left variation PG. Ice and scree in the chute were already loose, so I was glad to be off the upper mountain by the time it was in direct sunlight.
Back to the car a few minutes after 9 for the drive home.
Great way to start the season.
Xander Culver - May 12, 2019 11:32 pm Date Climbed: May 11, 2019
So Good!
Up Right Gate and down Left Gate. Great conditions, but a bit icy up top.
Greg Goldsmith - May 4, 2019 12:13 pm Date Climbed: May 4, 2019
Pearly Gates May 4, 2019
Started at exactly midnight on May 4. Visited the climbers cave and submitted a climb group detail sheet and got our permit. There were about 15 climbers ahead of us, and as we looked back from the top of Palmer lift, OMG, the climbing season started last night! There were easily over 100 people headed up behind us. The snow was consolidated and just had a soft surface inch or so. We went the Pearly Gates chute to climbers right, and found it to be very icy and challenging for the three of us with single straight-handled ice axes. We reached the summit at 5:15, and had a nice sunrise, but with all the climbers behind us, we didn’t stay long. We downclimbed the chute immediately west of the one we ascended, and found it to be better/easier. Below that, on the ridge between the fumaroles, we encountered 20 or more climbers heading up. Not a bad place to pass. We glissaded down from above Palmer lift house to the top of Magic Mike, with a bit of walking interspersed. A great day on the mountain. I would take two ice tools if I was to do this again under these conditions. End of story.
vasudev287 - Apr 30, 2019 9:39 am Date Climbed: Jun 15, 2018
First Climb up Hood
Started a bit late(2AM), reached the summit 1.5 hrs after sun rise. The snow on hogsback was already melting off as we descended. Will start earlier the next time around
NW Adventures - Mar 28, 2019 10:17 am Date Climbed: Mar 22, 2019
our Climb Plus a Video
(Hiked March 22nd 2019 via south side route on the Palmer Glacier) Made a video along the way, click the following link to see a better description of conditions as of March 22nd https://youtu.be/DK6t6HbufZw We started climbing right at midnight and hiked on the East side of the ski lifts up the cat tracks to the base of Crater Rock. From here on we roped up and headed to the East side of Crater Rock towards the Devils Kitchen. As we scurried around the base of Crater Rock towards the Hogsback there was a crevasse open towards the bottom of the rock. It was open but easily crossable, I actually stepped through the snow into it whoops. After that it was smooth sailing. The snow was in great condition with minimal avalanche danger. We went up through the pearly gates and decided to turnaround before reaching the summit due to soft snow on the summit ridge. The snow on the summit ridge was not suitable for anchors from this we concluded that our summit could wait for another day. Again here is the link for the video we made along the way https://youtu.be/DK6t6HbufZw
Be Safe Out There,
NW Adventures
Norman - Apr 28, 2018 2:33 pm Date Climbed: Apr 25, 2018
Pearly Gates open to all
Yupper...we did it, posted trip report. Bivy about 9,000 feet for heck of it, sunset, short summit day. Only about 30 people spread all over the mountain route. No traffic problems. Fantastic day.
Harvest - Mar 30, 2017 5:36 am Date Climbed: Apr 10, 2016
Pearly Gates
Successful summit via the Left Pearly Gate.
Larry Laverty - May 12, 2016 2:56 am Date Climbed: Apr 7, 2016
Portlandia Playground
Leaving in the middle of the night, i loved the carefree march along the ski slope as shooting stars fell, the busy work of the groomer below, the lamps of earlier parties flickering above.
I climbed this route a few times from spring 2003 - summer 2004, and descended it even more. The hogsback led straight to the Pearly Gates back then. Saw different conditions, from quiet midweek fresh snow that allowed me to hike up with boots and trekking poles to crowded steeper summer icy conditions with a gaping crevasse. My first time climbing Hood was solo and I saw the sunrise from the summit; I was back home in Corvallis for lunch.
Decon - Mar 13, 2024 9:10 am Date Climbed: Jun 21, 2018
amazing dayFinally made it to the top and what a beautiful day to do it on. Way to warm for the long trek out though.
elellilrah - Sep 9, 2022 6:33 am
$20/$100 Fee for climbingBe aware the Forest Service is planning to implement a $20/$100 to climb Mt. Hood if you don't comment. Stop by this page:
https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/mthood/recreation/?cid=FSEPRD1042889
to read more about this. Email them here:
SM.FS.MtHoodFees@usda.gov
Please remember to keep the email respectful but voice why such an expensive permit -per person- is over the top for a climb that often can be finished off by early afternoon by many.
kgreenery - Nov 26, 2019 9:47 pm Date Climbed: May 5, 2019
Pearly Gates Left - Mazamas ClimbChose pearly gates left on a weekend. Pretty crowded.
cascadescrambler - Aug 5, 2019 11:04 pm Date Climbed: Jul 26, 1981
South Side - Hogsback?I'm not sure we did the full Hogsback route, since we did the climb in two days, camping at the base of Illumination Rock and summiting from there.
Lenny72 - Jun 30, 2019 12:27 pm Date Climbed: Jun 24, 2019
Awesome Climb!Woke up at midnight on the 23rd to no visibility and high wind so waited until the morning of the 24th. Conditions were still windy but clear and cold. Ascended via the Old Chute and descended the same way. The view from the summit was amazing.
Bhoopes - Jun 5, 2019 9:24 am Date Climbed: May 30, 2019
HoodPerfect weather it was really good
shortiestpants - May 22, 2019 8:41 pm Date Climbed: May 11, 2019
Busy - for good reason!Question: Anyone know if there is a specific word for the long shadow cast at dawn by a prominent mountain like Hood?
The report: First solo of the year under swell conditions, despite the preceding warm, sunny day. A cool breeze blowing over Palmer refroze snow fields early and hardened boot pack outside of the groomed track.
Left at 11:30 trying to stay in front of the larger groups leaving at 12, but headlamps were visible high above from early in the night.
Followed the Hogsback, stepped over the bergschrund uneventfully, stayed to the right into the Pearly Gates, then up the left chute to avoid a bottleneck of stagnant downclimbers, and up the last, steep pitch to the summit.
Topped out a little after 5, hung out for sunrise, and got in line to descend the left variation PG. Ice and scree in the chute were already loose, so I was glad to be off the upper mountain by the time it was in direct sunlight.
Back to the car a few minutes after 9 for the drive home.
Great way to start the season.
Xander Culver - May 12, 2019 11:32 pm Date Climbed: May 11, 2019
So Good!Up Right Gate and down Left Gate. Great conditions, but a bit icy up top.
Greg Goldsmith - May 4, 2019 12:13 pm Date Climbed: May 4, 2019
Pearly Gates May 4, 2019Started at exactly midnight on May 4. Visited the climbers cave and submitted a climb group detail sheet and got our permit. There were about 15 climbers ahead of us, and as we looked back from the top of Palmer lift, OMG, the climbing season started last night! There were easily over 100 people headed up behind us. The snow was consolidated and just had a soft surface inch or so. We went the Pearly Gates chute to climbers right, and found it to be very icy and challenging for the three of us with single straight-handled ice axes. We reached the summit at 5:15, and had a nice sunrise, but with all the climbers behind us, we didn’t stay long. We downclimbed the chute immediately west of the one we ascended, and found it to be better/easier. Below that, on the ridge between the fumaroles, we encountered 20 or more climbers heading up. Not a bad place to pass. We glissaded down from above Palmer lift house to the top of Magic Mike, with a bit of walking interspersed. A great day on the mountain. I would take two ice tools if I was to do this again under these conditions. End of story.
vasudev287 - Apr 30, 2019 9:39 am Date Climbed: Jun 15, 2018
First Climb up HoodStarted a bit late(2AM), reached the summit 1.5 hrs after sun rise. The snow on hogsback was already melting off as we descended. Will start earlier the next time around
NW Adventures - Mar 28, 2019 10:17 am Date Climbed: Mar 22, 2019
our Climb Plus a Video(Hiked March 22nd 2019 via south side route on the Palmer Glacier) Made a video along the way, click the following link to see a better description of conditions as of March 22nd https://youtu.be/DK6t6HbufZw We started climbing right at midnight and hiked on the East side of the ski lifts up the cat tracks to the base of Crater Rock. From here on we roped up and headed to the East side of Crater Rock towards the Devils Kitchen. As we scurried around the base of Crater Rock towards the Hogsback there was a crevasse open towards the bottom of the rock. It was open but easily crossable, I actually stepped through the snow into it whoops. After that it was smooth sailing. The snow was in great condition with minimal avalanche danger. We went up through the pearly gates and decided to turnaround before reaching the summit due to soft snow on the summit ridge. The snow on the summit ridge was not suitable for anchors from this we concluded that our summit could wait for another day. Again here is the link for the video we made along the way https://youtu.be/DK6t6HbufZw
Be Safe Out There,
NW Adventures
Norman - Apr 28, 2018 2:33 pm Date Climbed: Apr 25, 2018
Pearly Gates open to allYupper...we did it, posted trip report. Bivy about 9,000 feet for heck of it, sunset, short summit day. Only about 30 people spread all over the mountain route. No traffic problems. Fantastic day.
Harvest - Mar 30, 2017 5:36 am Date Climbed: Apr 10, 2016
Pearly GatesSuccessful summit via the Left Pearly Gate.
Larry Laverty - May 12, 2016 2:56 am Date Climbed: Apr 7, 2016
Portlandia PlaygroundLeaving in the middle of the night, i loved the carefree march along the ski slope as shooting stars fell, the busy work of the groomer below, the lamps of earlier parties flickering above.
nealmueller - Apr 15, 2016 9:55 am
Re: Gingerbread castleCongrats on your summit. Do we need snowshoes for Hood in May?
nealmueller - Apr 15, 2016 9:54 am
Re: YepCongrats on your summit. Do we need snowshoes for Hood in May?
Ben Beckerich - Feb 25, 2012 6:31 am Date Climbed: Dec 17, 2011
YepFirst successful trip up pearlies... good ice step
jjjNY - Jan 18, 2012 2:27 pm Date Climbed: Jul 7, 2005
Second...climbed 3x
Bluecube22 - Nov 20, 2011 7:38 pm Date Climbed: Dec 31, 2009
loved seeing the huge amount of icethis an amazing winter climb like no other it was like being in another relm what a trip!
cdog - Aug 5, 2011 12:03 pm
busy climbI climbed this route a few times from spring 2003 - summer 2004, and descended it even more. The hogsback led straight to the Pearly Gates back then. Saw different conditions, from quiet midweek fresh snow that allowed me to hike up with boots and trekking poles to crowded steeper summer icy conditions with a gaping crevasse. My first time climbing Hood was solo and I saw the sunrise from the summit; I was back home in Corvallis for lunch.