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A day summit on Hood in late July? Do you have a deathwish? Mt. Hood is notorious for the icefall and rockfall dangers, most people leave for the summit in the middle of the night to make the summit by sunrise and then quickly get off the mountain before things get real crazy.

This isn't a typical year. Odds are good it'll still be in.

Even if it is still "in", not summitting and getting back down to the Hogsback before the sun hits the south side and it gets warm is going to greatly increase the ice and rockfall. Watch your step in the slush and anything coming down from above. I've even seen large rocks roll far below Crater Rock. I would definitely advise heading up at night so optimally you are on the summit before the sun comes around the Steel Cliffs. Watch your freezing levels.

Mt St Helens if you can score a permit.

Pick Adams instead! It is higher and safer!!!!

Hood is ideal in early May with a midnight start. Been there a couple of times. Good luck on whatever climb you choose. Most of all be safe and have fun.

I was on Hood on Saturday. Even at 5 am there was a good amount of ice falling down the old chute. I took a softball sized chunk to the shoulder- not fun at all. Plus, there was a fairly significant avalanche to the left of the hogsback the day before. This heat wave is definitely making the SS route a little spicier than normal.

Forget the summit. Go skiing off the hogsback instead.

We just did Adams last week (summited Friday) and it was a blast, great conditions and incredible glissade on the South side.