"Today was a big day with about 6,000 of climbing over some technical terrain. I have been planning my assault on #mounthood since last year and today I finally got to the top thanks to some friends and a lucky weather window. This is my 18th state high point and one of the tougher ones. Mount Hood is an active stratovolcano and is located about 50 mi east-southeast of Portland, on the border between Clackamas and Hood River counties. In addition to being Oregon’s highest mountain, it is one of the loftiest mountains in the nation based on its prominence, and it offers the only year-round lift-served skiing in North America. Hood is also the second most climbed peak in the world. Nearly 10k climbers attempt it every year as evidenced by the conga line of head lamps headed up the mountain in the early morning hours. It’s tough, the conditions are ice and a fall can result in a “slide for life” situation if you can’t arrest your fall. Usually climbers start around midnight to get off the mountain before the sun is out to cause ice and rock fall on the high mountain. At 11,249’, it’s not the highest of all peaks around but the last 800’ or so through the pearly gates or old ch..." — wiweasel • May 18, 2024

"After summiting Hood, decided I had the legs for Crater Rock again. Found a good chute for scrambling up on the east side of the Rock and tagged the top at 6:30 am. Saw an enticing chute heading down the west side that had some great snow so headed down the other side. Found a snow flower sitting in the center of the chute, an amazing find. After about 100 ft of descent I could begin to see that this chute ended in a steep cliff drop off that was above my abilities. Dejected I had to climb back up the chute and up and over the summit again. Made it safely back at the Hogsback at 7:30. Then began my slow trudge down the mountain to Timberline yet again." — oregon-mt-goat • May 7, 2016