Mt. Hood Summit Climb
Mt. Hood Summit Climb
Mt. Hood Summit Climb
Mt. Hood Summit Climb
Mt. Hood Summit Climb
Mt. Hood Summit Climb
Mt. Hood Summit Climb
Mt. Hood Summit Climb

Mt. Hood Summit Climb

$689.00
/
Trip Type
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Now Booking for 2026 Climbs!

Towering over Oregon’s largest city and the nearby Columbia River Gorge, stands Oregon's tallest mountain, Mt. Hood. This prominent peak challenges aspiring mountaineers to push their physical limits and realize their ambitions. It is often the first glaciated peak high-pointers attempt, due to it's proximity to civilization (yes, with proper training, you can climb it in a single day!) Our professional instructors will guide you on your mission to stand atop one of the most climbed mountains of the world.

Climb above the clouds and witness the beautiful landscape of the Pacific Northwest’s volcanoes with views of Mt. Adams, Mt. Saint Helens, and even Mt. Rainier.

Aspiring summiteers should be ready for a strenuous, 12 hour day of physical and mental challenges on the mountain’s classic South Side route. Grit, determination, and sound decision making are all important in a successful summit of this awe-inspiring volcano.

This climb has prerequisites. Please see the Walk in With tab below and sign up for our Mt. Hood Skills Course if you need training. 

Private climbs are booked on a custom basis. Call or email to us learn more and start planning your trip.

Kaf Adventures has Petzl gear available to rent for Mt. Hood Summit Climbs:
Crampons - $25 per day
Ice Axe - $15 per day
Helmet - $15 per day
Glacier harness - $25 per day, 2 locking carabiners included
Full package - $70 per day
Upon registration you will have the opportunity to reserve rental gear online, but also feel free to call or email us to reserve. Quantities are limited, so sooner is better, with a deadline of 48 hours before your climb. We will have the equipment ready for you at the mountain on the day of the climb.

We do not rent mountaineering boots, so if you need those we recommend getting both boots and crampons from The Mountain Shop in Portland. Please see our Rental Equipment page for more information. 

All of the above is in reference to the South Side climbing route on Mt. Hood. If you have solid glacier travel experience and would like to try a multi-day adventure on a more advanced route, please contact us to create a custom climb. 

Duration

  • 1 day
  • 12 hours

Season

  • Spring
  • Summer

Client:Guide Ratio

2:1

Minimum Participants

2

This trip requires an alpine start. Meet your instructor at 1am ready to go at the far end of the Climber's parking lot at Timberline Lodge. We will climb the moderate slopes of the lower mountain by headlamp and hopefully reach the upper mountain by sunrise. In the last 1,000 vertical feet before the summit, the gradient of the mountain greatly increases and we prefer to make the summit push in the early morning light. After a short celebration and snack break, we will carefully make our way back down the upper mountain and beyond. Conditions, weather, and team dynamics will dictate outcomes, but you can expect to be back to the parking lot around 1pm.

  • Mount Hood Skills Course or equivalent experience.
  • Ability to safely travel on moderate to steep snow slopes with crampons and ice axe.
  • Any additional mountaineering experience will enhance your ability to learn, but is not required.
  • Ability to hike for 10-12 hours and ascend 5000' with a 30 lb pack.
  • Upon registration, you will receive a confirmation email full of important information - make sure to read it thoroughly!
  • 7-10 days before your trip you will receive an email from your guide containing even more details, including the exact meetup location and time.
  • Plan to attend a virtual pre-trip meeting in the evening a few days before your course begins. This is required and a great opportunity to meet your guide, review gear, discuss your trip plan, and ask any last minute questions. For Sat-Sun AIARE courses plan on Thursday 6:30-8:30pm; otherwise the exact time of your meeting will be set by your instructor and noted in their welcome email.
  • Leading up to your course, make sure to eat healthy, drink extra water, and get plenty of sleep.
  • Please arrive on time and ready to go at your pre-arranged meeting location. Upon arrival, we'll distribute any group gear and finish loading our packs. From there we will caravan to the trailhead.
  • All along the way, our office team is available via email or phone to answer any questions you may have.

This trip will leave you with knowledge and practical application of:

  • Gear packing and equipment choices.
  • Self-care on the mountain.
  • Using crampons and ice axe.
  • Self-Arrest and self-belay.
  • Ascending and descending steep snow slopes.
  • Basic knots used for mountaineering.
  • Rope-handling skills.


PLUS:

  • A fun experience you’ll remember forever! 
  • A sense of accomplishment in achieving your goals for the trip.
  • Confidence in your newfound skills and where to take them next.
  • Tips and tricks to add to your toolbox from our professional and knowledgeable guides.

Payment & Cancellation Policies

Travel Information & Trip Insurance

Meet the Team

Gratuities

FAQs

Equipment Lists

Required Gear

  1. Head/face protection 
    -warm hat 
    -sun hat *baseball cap is fine
    -neck gaiter *buff
    -sunglasses with good side coverage 
  2. Backpack 30-40L 
  3. Mountaineering boots with well-fitted crampons *NOT aluminum
    **HIKING BOOTS ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE FOOTWEAR FOR THIS CLIMB
  4. Water bottles with 2L capacity
  5. 2+ insulating/puffy layers *1 must be synthetic *warm pants recommended on cold days
  6. Gaiters *highly recommended, but not required
  7. Moisture wicking, non-cotton base layer top and bottom
  8. Climbing gear
    -harness
    -2 pear-shaped locking carabiners 
    -helmet
    -mountaineering axe
  9. Personal kit
    -sunscreen *SPF 40 or higher
    -lip balm
    -headlamp and extra batteries
    -toiletries *please bring a plastic baggie for waste
    -personal medications and first aid
  10. Waterproof layers *hooded jacket and pants
  11. 2 pairs of gloves 
    -insulating gloves
    -waterproof gloves


Not Pictured/Optional Gear
☐ Pre-made lunch items, easy to eat with gloves on
☐ Trekking poles ☐ Whistle ☐ Pocketknife/Leatherman
☐ Area maps and compass ☐ Heavy duty plastic trash bags (for water-proofing) ☐ Note pad/pencil ☐ Camera
☐ Watch ☐ Half foam pad to stand/sit in snow ☐ Shorts/t-shirt ☐ Bandana

What Kaf Provides

  1. Climbing rope
  2. Group first aid kit and medical supplies 
  3. Snow/ice protection *ice screws and pickets