- All levels Skill Level All levels
- Ages 16+ Ages Ages 16+
Ever wanted 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.
Quick Details
Mt. Hood Summit Skills Course
Acquire the skills to develop as a mountaineer. Attempt a summit of Mt. Hood. Develop necessary habits supporting good outdoor living and alpine mountain camping skills. Practice technical skills supporting a climb of Mt. Hood. Walk away feeling confident you can manage a night in a snowy environment and with a view that will last a lifetime.
This climb will happen on the south side route of Mt. Hood. Climbers will expect to be challenged physically and mentally, but will be rewarded for their efforts by attempting the biggest volcano of Oregon.
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This is a two-day trip with a mandatory online pre-trip meeting two evenings before the course start date.
All participants are required to attend a pre-trip meeting with their guide to check equipment, conditions and to establish a specific time and location to meet up on the morning of the climb. Pre-trip meetings are typically completed online from 6:30 to 8:30 pm, 2 days before a course (Thursday evening for Saturday course), and your guide will send out an invitation for this.On the day of a climb, participants are responsible for getting to the meet up location ready and on time. We appreciate environmental considerations and ride sharing. Please let us know if you would like to coordinate a carpool with other participants.Pre-Trip Meeting
- 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Online meeting. You will bring all personal gear and equipment to this meeting. We 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
- We will head out early in the morning to our base camp. Glacier travel and camping skills will be introduced. We will spend the rest of the day doing skills instruction and practice. We will spend the evening discussing planning, decision making, and other considerations for preparing for climbs.
Day 2
- The second day marks summit day by an alpine start around 2 a.m. Conditions, weather, and team dynamics will dictate outcomes, but the goal is to be back to camp by the afternoon. Then we will break down camp, descend, and drive back to Portland, arriving in time for dinner.
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.
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- 16+ with consent from a guardian and Kaf approval
- 12-18 for youth courses
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This is a two-day course on Mt. Hood. As a result, great physical fitness is the only requirement for this climb. Having backpacking experience is highly encouraged.
Although not required, Backpacking: Beginner and Mountaineering: Beginner are highly encouraged before taking the course.
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Mt Hood Summit Skills Course
- How to plan and pack for an overnight mountaineering experience
- Practice management of personal layers and equipment systems while outdoors in an alpine environment.
- Learn to set a stable and strong shelter in an alpine setting.
- Gear packing and equipment choices
- Practice snow safety skills needed for a summit attempt, including self-arrest, ice-axe, and crampon technique.
- Practice steep snow climbing techniques.
- Experience the rigors of 5,300 feet of ascent and descent.
- Develop new relationships with like-minded people.
- Learn something new about yourself and your ability to overcome adversity.
- How to plan and pack for an overnight mountaineering experience
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- Professional instruction from full-time mountaineering instructors
- Passes and permits
- All group climbing equipment
- All group camping and kitchen equipment
- Dinners and breakfasts while in the field
- 3:1 client/instructor ratio
- Professional instruction from full-time mountaineering instructors
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- Personal clothing, climbing, and camping gear
- Lunches and snacks on the mountain
- Transportation. However, Kaf will assist in organizing a carpool. See further details below.
- Guide gratuity
- Personal clothing, climbing, and camping gear
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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 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
- Personal climbing gear: Multi-day pack, helmet, harness, carabiners, mountaineering boots, ice tools, and crampons
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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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Consider joining us for any of our other Mountaineering: Guided Climbs, Alpine Climbing Course, and Ice Climbing: Beginner or Ice Climbing: Intermediate courses.
