Mt Hood 2 Day Guided Ascent

This trip includes a mandatory pre-trip meeting held at the NWSOS office in Sandy, OR the evening before the course start date.

All participants will be responsible for getting themselves to the pre-trip meeting. The Northwest School of Survival does not provide transportation for the outing; however, we recognize that transportation can be challenging. Once registered, Kaf will provide information regarding meeting times, locations, and any required parking permits. If interested in carpooling, we will orchestrate a meeting place between participants.

Pre-Trip Meeting

6 p.m. – 8 p.m. the night before the climb at the NWSOS office in Sandy. Please bring all personal gear and equipment to this meeting. NWSOS staff will go over the route and itinerary as well as go over personal and group gear to ensure everyone has what they need.

Day 1

• On the first day, we will leave the parking lot early, approach the climb, and set up camp. With any extra time, we will practice mountaineering skills. We will prepare a delicious meal and go to bed early in preparation for the early summit day.

Day 2

• After an alpine start, waking up around 2 a.m., we will head for the summit of Mount Hood. Depending on the route, we may pack up camp before heading out. Otherwise, we will come back to camp after summiting, hopefully arriving by early afternoon. After packing up camp, we will head down the mountain and be back in Portland by dinner time.

Out-of-Town Participants

We recommend that anyone flying into Portland arrive as early as possible on the day before the trip. We also recommend you do not book a return flight until late (red-eye) on the last day of the trip, or the following morning is ideal.

• 16+ with consent from a guardian and Kaf approval
• 12-18 for youth courses

This is a rigorous, two-day ascent of Mt. Hood. As a result, having mountaineering experience and skills is a prerequisite.
Climbers need to have taken the Mountain Experience course or prove similar experience of education from a reputable source in the past 3 years. Please contact us and provide a brief climbing resume to our team.

• How to plan and pack for an overnight mountaineering experience
• Practice management of personal layers and equipment systems while outdoors in and alpine environment.
  
• Learn to set a stable and strong shelter in an alpine setting
  
• Putting your skills into practice
  
• Practice steep snow climbing techniques.
  
• Experience the rigors of 4,500 feet of ascent and descent.
  
• Develop new relationships with like-minded people.
  
• Learn something new about yourself and your ability to overcome adversity.

• Professional instruction from full-time mountaineering instructors
  
• Land management fees
  
• All group climbing equipment
  
• All group camping and kitchen equipment
  
• Dinners and breakfasts while in the field
  
• 2:1 client/instructor ratio

• Personal clothing, climbing, and camping gear
  
• Lunches, snacks, water carrying capacity
  
• Transportation. However, Kaf will assist in organizing a carpool. See further details below.
  
• Guide gratuity

You will receive a full packing list following registration of your Mount Hood guided climb, but please feel free to contact us with any gear or equipment specific questions you have. A brief list of what you will need to provide for yourself:

• Personal climbing gear: Multi-day pack, helmet, harness, carabiners, mountaineering boots, ice tools, and crampons
  
• Personal camping gear: Sleeping bag and sleeping pad
  
• Weather-appropriate clothing

Transportation and times will be coordinated by email when the pre-trip announcement is sent to all registrants.

After your Mount Hood guided climb, consider joining us for any of our other Mountaineering: Guided Climbs, Alpine Climbing Course, and Ice Climbing: Beginner courses. You may enjoy one of our Mount Baker or Mount Rainier guided climbs.