On average, when does the road usually open up? I'm shooting for May, and with the way the weather's been, I think thats reasonable. I'm spending the next few months getting in shape, improving on gear, and taking the RMI WFA class in either February or March. So far, my progress from smoker to (ex-smoker)moutaineer is progressing nicely. Also shooting for Hood in June and Adams in July-August. The Adams trip is already coming together with my cousin in the lead, she's summited 4 or 5 times already. Hood I still don't have a plan yet, looking at finding a group or another person with experience up there to go with. I've been reading the Mt. Hood South Face Climb book to get an idea.

Hey,
Don't count your weather, and climb, before it happens.
Sure, our winter has slowed down, but, I saw a long range forecast that showed more snow/cold temps coming toward the end of Feb.

Anyway, hard to predict that far out. I wouldn't base my desire to climb in May with what's happening now. Typically, that road doesn't open up all the way at least until June, sometimes even early July. Might've been July last year, I can't remember.
Good luck and keep watching the conditions as time draws near. But, May is often a good time to climb Hood. Easier access too.

Since I'm just getting going, I'm still learning about the best times to climb what and where. I'm just going to keep an eye on things closer to May, but who knows, could be sooner or later.

If you can ski, you don't have to wait for the road to open.
Years ago (early 80s), on several occasions we skied into Green Lakes and back in a day from the Mt. Bachelor nordic center.
On a different day in March or early April a few years later (don't remember- this would have been in 1989 or 90) on what was supposed to be a ski to Devil's Lake, I made the summit and back in a long day.

You might also want to consider trying Middle Sister instead. As far as I remember there's no snow gate or any other seasonal barriers to get to Pole Creek TH. It involves some glacier work, so it would be a good introduction or review for Hood.

The standard route up South isn't going to train you for anything technical. Just my $.02.

philoparts wrote: I've been reading the Mt. Hood South Face Climb book to get an idea.

There is a Mt Hood South Climb Book out there? Where did you find that?

I know of "Oregon High", but I never knew there was a book just about the south side.

This is the only book I could find having to do with the South Face of Hood. Don't know if it's the same one he speaks of but I think I'm going to buy it and check it out. Will post findings!

http://cascadeclimbs.com/mthood.html

*Edit* I purchased it...I'll let you know what I think

jhiggy wrote:This is the only book I could find having to do with the South Face of Hood. Don't know if it's the same one he speaks of but I think I'm going to buy it and check it out. Will post findings!

http://cascadeclimbs.com/mthood.html

*Edit* I purchased it...I'll let you know what I think

Wait, 90 page book on just the south side?? Be interesting the see what you think. Too bad the Oregon High one is out of print, there are other books (Climbing the Cascade Volcanoes) that would give info on more that just this.

That book...yes...I've paged thru it.

...

Wow...