- All levels
- Ages 16+
Conquer your inner desires while pushing your physical limits. Put your goals into action while embarking on a quest of the mind and body.
Quick Details
Intermediate/Advanced Steep Snow and Ice Summit Climb
Do you feel ambitious to tackle steeper and longer objectives? Is your pursuit of alpine climbing insatiable? Experience more exposure and complexity on routes like the Cathedral Ridge or the North Face on this Mt. Hood guided climb. Develop your craft, leadership, and confidence on the Cooper Spur while feeding your love of the volcanoes.
There’s a reason Mt. Hood is one of the most climbed peaks in the world. During this guided climb of Mount Hood, you’ll experience the natural beauty of Oregon’s tallest mountain, and discover for yourself why Mt. Hood is so popular with climbers from all over the world.
Undertake an adventure you’ll never forget, all while learning the advanced mountaineering skills you’re looking to develop.
***This course operates under special use permit on the Mt. Hood National Forest and operates on a non-discriminatory basis***
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This trip includes 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.ÂOn 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
- 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.
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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 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.
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- 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
- Professional instruction from full-time mountaineering instructors
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- 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
- Personal clothing, climbing, and camping gear
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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
- 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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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.
