Route Climbed: Hogsback Date Climbed: August 18, 2003
Very late in the season - icy and loose rock in Pearly Gates (or whatever you call that gully above the bergshrung) - it was very stupid from me not to wear a helmet...
Route Climbed: south side/hogsback Date Climbed: May 20, 1979
My first mountain! Starting at 12:20 AM with my brother David and friends John, Rob and Scott we summited 5 hours, 40 minutes later and were greated with clear skies and light winds. I grew up in Portland so I had been looking out at this mountain all my life. Finally got to the top.
I've climbed this peak at least another 12 times since '79 - (The most recent on June 9th, 2006) every trip memorable!
Route Climbed: South - Hogsback Date Climbed: June 23, 2003
Did Hood as a two-day climb. Started from the Timberline Lodge parking lot about noon on the 22nd. Dreary conditions at 6000 ft. It had been drizzling / snowing off and on for two days. At the start of our climb it still cool (40's), but it had cleared a bit to offer intermittent views of the summit through the clouds.
We hiked up to above the Palmer lift, and set up camp near the twin rocks around 9000 feet. Now we were above the clouds and in brilliant sunshine, and the summit was in full view. We awoke about 3:00 AM on the 23rd and gathered together our climbing party. We roped up at the hogsback, did an end-run around the Bergschrund, and reached the summit about 8:00 AM. Was part of the summit ash-scattering cermony for Highpoint Club founder Jack Longacre. In all, a great climb with a great group of climbers.
Route Climbed: Hogsback Date Climbed: June 4, 2000
Went with Timberline Mt. Guides. Great, professional guides. Had a lot of fun and learned a ton. Unfortunately, a women in another group unclipped from her rope and fell to her death 15 minutes after we left the summit. Very sad end to a great climb.
Route Climbed: Standard Route Date Climbed: June 23, 2003
Started at the parking lot on the 22nd in wind rain and fog. Camped near the top of Palmer. Met up with a group of friends that were there to spread Jack's ashes the next day. We left the camp on the 23rd around 3:00 a.m.; hit the summit around 5:30 a.m.
Had perfect weather on top, light wind, clear but a little cold. Couldn't get the kite to fly with the lack of wind. Started down and met the ash folks on the Hogs back. Glissaded most of the way to the bottom of Palmer lift.
Route Climbed: Standard Route Date Climbed: July 19, 2003
My first mountaineering summit. We left the parking lot at around 1:30 am, make it to the summit at around 8:30 am, and got back to the parking lot at around 12:30 pm. The climb was fairly straight forward, rock falls were the biggest danger. When climbing Pearly Gates I was hit by a rock roughly the size of a daypack rolling down from above, luckily I was able to deflect it with my ice axe. Helmets are highly recommended, we put ours on before Hogsback.
Route Climbed: Cooper Spur Date Climbed: July 23, 2003
Great climb but had to turn back around 10,200 because of the rockfall. The route took much longer than the 4-6 hours it was suppposed to take. I will be back someday to make the summit.
Camped in Illumination Saddle. Great alternative to Standard (Hogsback) route-- people were standing in line on the other side of the crater, while we just buzzed up. Passing from shadow & cold under the Pearly Gates, into the brilliant sunshine of the summit was amazing! Summit was hot. ~100 climbers on top by 8:00 am.
Route Climbed: Standard Route Date Climbed: July 17, 2003
I climbed with two old friends and one new one. We took the lifts up at 7:00 AM as far as they would go. We did not rope up for this climb. We watched each other closely as we went around the Burcherond. Ice ax and trecking poles are a must. The footing going through the pearly gates was trecherious. Great weather and very few other climbers on the Mountain that day. Well worth the effort. What a great view
Route Climbed: South Side (Hogsback) Date Climbed: July 11, 2003
Started walking at 2:00am from the skier parking lot. By the bergschrund, I didn't see the boot track (which I saw on the way down), so I climbed 10 feet of nearly vertical ice/snow on the farthest left part of the bergschrund and got onto some rotten loose rock. I basically digged my fingers on the hard dirt to get a hold on my left hand while I swung my ice axe with my right hand. The left chute on the Pearly Gates was a bit icy (crampons were useful in this section). Anyway, I reached the summit at 6:40am. Sunny, but windy at the summit. Stayed there for a whole 40 minutes. While at the summit, I met Alex (a climber from Montana, who came up via the Cooper Spur route and asked me for a ride back to the Tilly Jane trailhead/campground since I told him I was heading towards Mt Adams next and it was on the way). We both left the summit at 7:20am and were back to my car at 9:00am. I then dropped Alex off at his car on Tilly Jane campground.
Route Climbed: South Side (Hogsback) Date Climbed: July 3, 2001
It was very warm and the snowfield was very slushy around 12:30am when we departed. We were worried that is may be too warm for a safe summit without rockfall. We actually thought we would turnaround 1/2 way up, but instead the snow firmed up and the temperature dropped. As we ascended to the Hogsback and up to the Pearly Gates, the existing ice axe placements were very firm and secure. We summited around 5 or 5:30am and need our glasses for the bright sunrise.
Route Climbed: South Side - Palmer Glacier Date Climbed: July 2, 2003
A relatively quiet day on the mountain. Beautiful weather and views. Long slog from Timberline, took about 6-hours. The "Berg" has opened up a lot, but an easy path around was well marked.
Route Climbed: South Side - Palmer Glacier Date Climbed: July 2, 2003
A weekday ascent with only a dozen or so other people on the route, not crowded at all. Perfect weather - no wind no clouds. Entire route is in good shape except the chute is drying out.
Route Climbed: South Side Date Climbed: June 16, 2003
Sunrise from the summit again, but the visibility was worse than a week earlier. When I pulled out my digital camera at the summit I realized I had left the memory card at home. Doh! At least I took plenty of photos the week before. Snow was in even better condition, and crowds were reduced compared to the weekend.
Route Climbed: South Side (Hogsback) Date Climbed: June 8, 2003
Left Timberline at 12:10 am , summited at 6:15 am, got bogged down at the Hogsback . Now I understand the danger of the congested area with roped up climbers and only a few groups using pickets for anchors. I made sure my ice axe handle was buried shaft deep in snow before I moved my feet in case I slipped while going solo. Be physically alert with eyes and ears there . The cool air/wind kept the snow firm. Saw just a helmet tumble down the chute , no rockfall/snowfall. Great views of the local volcanos during the daytime and city lights at night . Ready to attempt West Crater Rim sometime.
Route Climbed: Hogsback Date Climbed: June 1, 2003
Jeff and I left Timberline at 1:40 and summited at 5:40 with good conditions and easy hiking. Boot pack made the climb up more like a walk on a snowy staircase but don't let the "ease" of our climb take the edge off the mountain. Just because it is super easy one moment doesn't mean it can't kill you the next (the flowers from the ceremony for the deaths from one year ago were still on the 'schrund and the summit). I was more scared for the 50 climbers going up the hogsback (after we came down) than I was of the mountain. If any of these people fell, it would be like taking out pins in a bowling alley. Too many people are climbing Hood all at the same time (in my opinion), myself included. However, at 5:40 am, only one other group had been on the summit and had already left so we had it to ourselves. Some later groups must have been packed up there like sardines. Go early, in the morning and in the year! My best climb was in December, solo and frankly the whole thing seemed safer without so many potentially falling objects around me. This said, any precious moment on the summit of a perfect mountain is a wonderful one and I loved every second of it (except the trudge back down Palmer). NOAH
kovarpa - Dec 23, 2003 12:38 pm
Route Climbed: Hogsback Date Climbed: August 18, 2003Very late in the season - icy and loose rock in Pearly Gates (or whatever you call that gully above the bergshrung) - it was very stupid from me not to wear a helmet...
jverschuyl - Oct 24, 2003 12:56 pm
Route Climbed: Hogsback Date Climbed: July 02 1994Reached the summit in driving rain and ice. I hear the view is nice, so I'll be back. Hopefully next time to try Cooper's Spur.
IdahoSummits - Oct 12, 2003 10:58 pm
Route Climbed: Hogsback Date Climbed: June 15, 2003Great trip, perfect weather!
vertx - Sep 28, 2003 11:31 am
Route Climbed: Hogsback Date Climbed: June 29, 2003Started about 11:45 at night to try to avoid any crowds. Nasty weather through 9000 feet.
Don Nelsen - Sep 16, 2003 1:59 pm
Route Climbed: south side/hogsback Date Climbed: May 20, 1979My first mountain! Starting at 12:20 AM with my brother David and friends John, Rob and Scott we summited 5 hours, 40 minutes later and were greated with clear skies and light winds. I grew up in Portland so I had been looking out at this mountain all my life. Finally got to the top.
I've climbed this peak at least another 12 times since '79 - (The most recent on June 9th, 2006) every trip memorable!
paclimber - Sep 10, 2003 10:59 am
Route Climbed: South - Hogsback Date Climbed: June 23, 2003Did Hood as a two-day climb. Started from the Timberline Lodge parking lot about noon on the 22nd. Dreary conditions at 6000 ft. It had been drizzling / snowing off and on for two days. At the start of our climb it still cool (40's), but it had cleared a bit to offer intermittent views of the summit through the clouds.
We hiked up to above the Palmer lift, and set up camp near the twin rocks around 9000 feet. Now we were above the clouds and in brilliant sunshine, and the summit was in full view. We awoke about 3:00 AM on the 23rd and gathered together our climbing party. We roped up at the hogsback, did an end-run around the Bergschrund, and reached the summit about 8:00 AM. Was part of the summit ash-scattering cermony for Highpoint Club founder Jack Longacre. In all, a great climb with a great group of climbers.
Otomax - Aug 20, 2003 6:35 pm
Route Climbed: Hogsback Date Climbed: June 4, 2000Went with Timberline Mt. Guides. Great, professional guides. Had a lot of fun and learned a ton. Unfortunately, a women in another group unclipped from her rope and fell to her death 15 minutes after we left the summit. Very sad end to a great climb.
grandwazoo - Aug 5, 2003 1:57 pm
Route Climbed: Standard Route Date Climbed: June 23, 2003Started at the parking lot on the 22nd in wind rain and fog. Camped near the top of Palmer. Met up with a group of friends that were there to spread Jack's ashes the next day. We left the camp on the 23rd around 3:00 a.m.; hit the summit around 5:30 a.m.
Had perfect weather on top, light wind, clear but a little cold. Couldn't get the kite to fly with the lack of wind. Started down and met the ash folks on the Hogs back. Glissaded most of the way to the bottom of Palmer lift.
elementalphotos - Jul 29, 2003 11:59 am
Route Climbed: Standard Route Date Climbed: July 19, 2003My first mountaineering summit. We left the parking lot at around 1:30 am, make it to the summit at around 8:30 am, and got back to the parking lot at around 12:30 pm. The climb was fairly straight forward, rock falls were the biggest danger. When climbing Pearly Gates I was hit by a rock roughly the size of a daypack rolling down from above, luckily I was able to deflect it with my ice axe. Helmets are highly recommended, we put ours on before Hogsback.
bernardhohman - Jul 25, 2003 3:06 pm
Route Climbed: Cooper Spur Date Climbed: July 23, 2003Great climb but had to turn back around 10,200 because of the rockfall. The route took much longer than the 4-6 hours it was suppposed to take. I will be back someday to make the summit.
Sharon - Jul 23, 2003 8:43 pm
Route Climbed: Old Mazama II Date Climbed: 1994Partners: Tedd Rupp, ?
Camped in Illumination Saddle. Great alternative to Standard (Hogsback) route-- people were standing in line on the other side of the crater, while we just buzzed up. Passing from shadow & cold under the Pearly Gates, into the brilliant sunshine of the summit was amazing! Summit was hot. ~100 climbers on top by 8:00 am.
iamaclimber - Jul 20, 2003 11:51 am
Route Climbed: Standard Route Date Climbed: July 17, 2003I climbed with two old friends and one new one. We took the lifts up at 7:00 AM as far as they would go. We did not rope up for this climb. We watched each other closely as we went around the Burcherond. Ice ax and trecking poles are a must. The footing going through the pearly gates was trecherious. Great weather and very few other climbers on the Mountain that day. Well worth the effort. What a great view
forjan - Jul 14, 2003 6:29 pm
Route Climbed: South Side (Hogsback) Date Climbed: July 11, 2003Started walking at 2:00am from the skier parking lot. By the bergschrund, I didn't see the boot track (which I saw on the way down), so I climbed 10 feet of nearly vertical ice/snow on the farthest left part of the bergschrund and got onto some rotten loose rock. I basically digged my fingers on the hard dirt to get a hold on my left hand while I swung my ice axe with my right hand. The left chute on the Pearly Gates was a bit icy (crampons were useful in this section). Anyway, I reached the summit at 6:40am. Sunny, but windy at the summit. Stayed there for a whole 40 minutes. While at the summit, I met Alex (a climber from Montana, who came up via the Cooper Spur route and asked me for a ride back to the Tilly Jane trailhead/campground since I told him I was heading towards Mt Adams next and it was on the way). We both left the summit at 7:20am and were back to my car at 9:00am. I then dropped Alex off at his car on Tilly Jane campground.
winzeler - Jul 8, 2003 11:33 am
Route Climbed: South Side (Hogsback) Date Climbed: July 3, 2001It was very warm and the snowfield was very slushy around 12:30am when we departed. We were worried that is may be too warm for a safe summit without rockfall. We actually thought we would turnaround 1/2 way up, but instead the snow firmed up and the temperature dropped. As we ascended to the Hogsback and up to the Pearly Gates, the existing ice axe placements were very firm and secure. We summited around 5 or 5:30am and need our glasses for the bright sunrise.
Hood cast an amazing summit pyramid. Amazing.
Vertigo soul - Jul 7, 2003 3:25 pm
Route Climbed: South Side - Palmer Glacier Date Climbed: July 2, 2003A relatively quiet day on the mountain. Beautiful weather and views. Long slog from Timberline, took about 6-hours. The "Berg" has opened up a lot, but an easy path around was well marked.
Part 2: 5/24/16 - Climbed/Skied Cooper Spur.
rcorby2 - Jul 7, 2003 10:35 am
Route Climbed: South Side - Palmer Glacier Date Climbed: July 2, 2003A weekday ascent with only a dozen or so other people on the route, not crowded at all. Perfect weather - no wind no clouds. Entire route is in good shape except the chute is drying out.
dkantola - Jun 29, 2003 4:19 am
Route Climbed: South Side Date Climbed: June 16, 2003Sunrise from the summit again, but the visibility was worse than a week earlier. When I pulled out my digital camera at the summit I realized I had left the memory card at home. Doh! At least I took plenty of photos the week before. Snow was in even better condition, and crowds were reduced compared to the weekend.
Jerry L - Jun 21, 2003 6:11 am
Route Climbed: South Side Date Climbed: June 18, 2003Incredible views. That's all I have to say on this climb.
mtndave - Jun 8, 2003 2:59 pm
Route Climbed: South Side (Hogsback) Date Climbed: June 8, 2003Left Timberline at 12:10 am , summited at 6:15 am, got bogged down at the Hogsback . Now I understand the danger of the congested area with roped up climbers and only a few groups using pickets for anchors. I made sure my ice axe handle was buried shaft deep in snow before I moved my feet in case I slipped while going solo. Be physically alert with eyes and ears there . The cool air/wind kept the snow firm. Saw just a helmet tumble down the chute , no rockfall/snowfall. Great views of the local volcanos during the daytime and city lights at night . Ready to attempt West Crater Rim sometime.
Noah (Oregon) - Jun 4, 2003 9:50 am
Route Climbed: Hogsback Date Climbed: June 1, 2003Jeff and I left Timberline at 1:40 and summited at 5:40 with good conditions and easy hiking. Boot pack made the climb up more like a walk on a snowy staircase but don't let the "ease" of our climb take the edge off the mountain. Just because it is super easy one moment doesn't mean it can't kill you the next (the flowers from the ceremony for the deaths from one year ago were still on the 'schrund and the summit). I was more scared for the 50 climbers going up the hogsback (after we came down) than I was of the mountain. If any of these people fell, it would be like taking out pins in a bowling alley. Too many people are climbing Hood all at the same time (in my opinion), myself included. However, at 5:40 am, only one other group had been on the summit and had already left so we had it to ourselves. Some later groups must have been packed up there like sardines. Go early, in the morning and in the year! My best climb was in December, solo and frankly the whole thing seemed safer without so many potentially falling objects around me. This said, any precious moment on the summit of a perfect mountain is a wonderful one and I loved every second of it (except the trudge back down Palmer). NOAH