Quick Details
Learn Mountaineering Skills on Mt. Hood
Do you want to summit Mount Hood but feel like you don’t have the skills to do so? Spend a day with us on the mountain developing your mountaineering skills to strengthen your ability to join a competent rope team. Learn to identify the hazards on the mountain and how to protect yourself when traveling with a team. Gain confidence on how to climb the south side of Mt. Hood.
This day on Mount Hood is focused on skills and training to help you become a competent and safe climber. It is not a summit climb.
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For this single-day course, participants will meet at the predesignated location. This is a full day and typically goes from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
8 a.m.
- Meet at the designated location and discuss the day’s activities.
- Knots and rope work/configurations
- Use of ice axe and crampon technique
Mid-day
- After building a baseline of skills, we will introduce self-belay and self-arrest skills, including steep snow ascending and descending techniques.
- Anchor concepts will be introduced.
4 p.m.
- Group debrief and discussion of climbing Mt. Hood
Transportation
Kaf does not provide transportation; however, once you register, 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.
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- 16+ with consent from a guardian and Kaf approval
- 12-18 for youth courses
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No previous experience is required. Ideally, participants will have a basic knowledge of mountaineering and climbing. We offer Rock Climbing: Beginner or Mountaineering: Beginner courses that teach the basics and are highly encouraged before taking the course
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- Ice axe technique
- Rope-handling skills
- Rope systems used for the south side of Mt. Hood
- Knots used for mountaineering
- Steep snow climbing and descending technique
- Crampon technique
- Self-belay and self-arrest technique
- Anchor placements
- Discussion of hazards of Mt. Hood
- Discussion of climbing the south side of Mt. Hood
- Emergency response on Mt. Hood
- Develop new relationships with like-minded people.
- Learn something new about yourself and your ability to overcome adversity.
- Ice axe technique
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- Professional instruction from full-time mountaineering instructors
- 5:1 client/instructor ratio
- Land management fees
- Group climbing equipment including ropes and anchors
- Professional instruction from full-time mountaineering instructors
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- Transportation. However, carpool options available.
- Personal clothing and climbing equipment
- Lunches, snacks, water carrying capacity
- Guide gratuity
- Transportation. However, carpool options available.
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You will receive a full packing list following registration, but please feel free to contact us with any gear or equipment specific questions you have.
A brief list of personal climbing gear you’ll need to provide for yourself:
- Helmet
- Harness
- Carabiners (2 locking)
- Ice Axe
- Crampons
- Multi-day pack
- Mountaineering Boots
- Weather-appropriate clothing
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Transportation and times will be coordinated by email when the pre-trip announcement is sent to all registrants.
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Glacier Mountaineering Skills Course, or join us for one of our custom Mountaineering: Guided Climbs.