WILDERNESS PERMIT (MANDATORY)

Climbing to the summit means entering the Mountain Hood Wilderness Area which requires a free, non-quota, cocky-issued wilderness let. These are bachelor at the Timberline mean solar day lodge "Climbers' Cave" and all trailheads within the wilderness area. The Climbers' Cave does not have a door and is open year circular, 24/7. The Climbers' Cave does have bathroom facilities available to climbers.

CLIMBERS' REGISTRATION Class (RECOMMENDED)

This is a general form stating the people in your political party, planned route, climbing dates and emergency contact info. However, if you don't come up back on your stated appointment, don't depend on this form to initiate a search for you. For South Side Routes, this is likewise available in the Timberline Climbers' Cavern.

SNO-PARK Let (SEASONALLY MANDATORY)fsbdev3_061954

Oregon's Department of Transportation is responsible for clearing public roads and parking lots of snow, including Timberline Lodge. To starting time the cost of this effort, the State of Oregon requires all cars purchase and display a Sno-Park Permit from November ane through April xxx. Sno-Park Permits from California, Idaho and Washington are valid in Oregon. Annual, 3-day and daily Permits are available for sale at Mountain Shop and many other local businesses. For consummate details on the Sno-Park Permit arrangement, y'all can visit theOregon DMV website.

SCHEDULE

Mt. Hood climbs can take between 2-24 hours round trip, depending on your schedule. The average climber wants to be done in a day and, unless you are planning on setting a speed record, that ways leaving in the early morning and returning in the early on afternoon. Typically climbers go out the Timberline Lodge parking lot between 11pm and 2am. Someone who has prepared properly to climb tin average chiliad vertical feet per hour, at that rate it will take a little over five hours to summit.

A start time should be established based on an estimated pace and your desired summit hour. Information technology is strongly recommended that you lot summit no later than 8AM to avoid peak rock and ice fall hours. If you are in skilful shape and have trained to climb Mt. Hood you lot can approximate 4-7 hours to the summit. Other climbers should set up for a longer climb, perchance half-dozen-ix hours.

Descending from the height to the parking lot will take you approximately half the time it took you to tiptop. If you reached the summit in 6 hours information technology may accept you 3-4 hours to get back. Descending is a challenge in and of itself. Yous will be tired, and using a whole new set of muscles. But gravity is on your side, and there will be far fewer breaks (perhaps but the i to take off your crampons).

A typical schedule for a south side climb of Mt. Hood might look like this:

Silcox Warming HutSilcox Warming Hut on Mt Hood

eleven:00 PM – Make it at Timberline Lodge parking expanse. Cheque in, organize gear and apply the restroom.
12:00 AM – Depart the parking area.
1:30 AM – Make it at Silcox Warming Hut. Take a pause, if needed, using Silcox as a windbreak.
4:00 AM – Get in at Upper Palmer Lift House.Have another break, check weather and visibility. If either is poor consider waiting for better conditions, or turning around.
five:thirty AM – Arrive at Crater Rock. This is the best spot to put on crampons, harnesses, etc. It is also as far as y'all should get if y'all are not prepared for a climb.
seven:00 AM – Summit.Enjoy the views, a snack, a drink, accept some photos, and turn around. You'll want to be back to Crater Stone before rock/water ice autumn danger rises around 9AM
8:30 AM – Arrive back at Crater Rock. Take off your crampons, harness, etc. By at present atmospheric condition are generally warm enough to non need crampons. Proceed them on if you feel more than comfortable.
12:30 PM – Go far back at Timberline Lodge parking expanse. Take breaks at the Upper Palmer Lift House and/or Silcox if you'd like.

EMERGENCY Plan

All climbers should take a plan in identify for emergency situations. This includes a program made with a friend or loved ane who is Not climbing, and a plan for the climber(s).

Friends/Family Plan: It is important that y'all leave an itinerary with a friend, family fellow member or loved one who is not climbing. This way, should something happen and y'all are not able to initiate a search, rescuers will exist alerted and a search volition embark.

This plan should include:
The specific road you will take
An alternate route in case of emergency
Timetable for your climb
A time when you lot will check in
A fourth dimension to initiate a search
Contact information for Search and Rescue
Contact data for family members of each climber

With this information in place, the individual you get out information technology with will know when to expect a phone call, when to worry, who to call and what to tell them. Nosotros recommend you pick a time yous volition check in with your friend/family member that is 1-3 hours after you plan on returning to Timberline Social club. This fashion yous have flexibility for whatever delays. Your search initiation time should be half-dozen-10 hours after you were suppose to check in. If you do employ this kind of plan, DO Non FORGET TO Phone call. If you are off the mountain safely, call. If y'all are running belatedly, call. If you blow off the climb and get to a bar in Government Army camp, call.

Climber(s) Plan: Within your squad, or as a solo climber, you must take a plan in instance of emergency. It is impossible for us to get through every scenario, just you must work through some common bug and agree on the solutions before you exit.

Some questions to consider:
What if a tempest moves in?
What if nosotros get lost?
What if we are behind schedule?
What if the route conditions are questionable?
What if someone is fatigued?
What if someone is injured?

It is vital that every member of your group agree on an reply to these questions. During a climb, ego and adrenaline are high and decisions tin can be rash. Discuss possible scenarios before yous get out and come to a consensus. These are problems best solved in the parking lot, or better yet the drive up. Of class, at that place are a million things that can happen in a million unlike means. Y'all must exist able to asses the situation and make good judgements, ofttimes on the fly.

Guide Services

If you're new to climbing or just new to Mt. Hood, a guided trip is a smashing opportunity to learn some skills from an experienced climber who knows the mountain similar the dorsum of their mitt. Because Mt. Hood is located within a wilderness surface area, guiding permits are restricted to a scattering of approved operations. We have a great human relationship with the folks atTimberline Mountain Guides, having climbed with a number of their guides and worked closely with them as an integral part of the local outdoor community. They offering guided ascents of several routes with varying degrees of technical difficulty, every bit well as alpine skills courses.

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