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Route: Mt Hood (OR)

Location
Oregon, US
Distance
6.6 mi
Description

Mount Hood is the tallest mountain in Oregon and one of the most climbed Cascade volcanoes. It stands at 11,250ft. It is a relatively easy climb/hike for the first 4,000 vertical feet, with the last approximately 1,000ft being technical snow climbing. 

The standard south side route starts from the Timberline Lodge parking lot and goes up the climber's trail through the ski area. After reaching the top of the ski area (8,500ft) the route works up to the "Hogsback" which is a narrow rib of snow that leads up to the "Pearly Gates" which is the steepest section of the route. Depending on conditions, some climbers may prefer two ice tools for the Pearly Gates. The "Old Chute" is another less steep but less direct option to reach the summit ridge, and it's very often used for descent. 

Hood's south side has limited crevasse risk, but people have died in the bergschrund and this is still a mountain to take seriously. 

As of 1/28/22, we do not have official ski times currently recorded, but it appears that Jason Dorais did it in 1:44 round trip - this should be considered the ski time to beat for men. 

 

GPS Track
Mt_Hood.gpx46.78 KB

FKTs

Related Routes
Mt Adams to Mt Hood (WA, OR)
This route on the old FKT site
http://fastestknowntime.proboards.com/thread/1540/mount-hood-ascent

Comments

Jcole
Mon, 06/10/2019 - 12:35pm

Climbed Mount Hood on June 9th 2019. Summit 1:42, Round trip 2:35

Strava track: https://www.strava.com/activities/2437057928

I started at Timberline lodge parking area, climbed the South Side route and intended on taking the pearly gates (most direct route) to the summit. I ended up taking the old Chute route due to several roped up partys on the pearly gates. 

Logistically I found this climb tricky. Consolidated snow is required if you choose to go on foot, and the upper 1000ft requires crampons making it tough to move fast in my opinion. Recent snow fall, warm temperatures and crowds made it tough to move quickly enough to even get close to Jasons time. I think skinning is the way to go for a truly fast ascent. Maybe I need to invest? Hopefully I'll be back next year and weather permitting give it another go.

-Jcole

Alex King
Sat, 05/23/2020 - 11:12pm

On May 23rd, 2020, I climbed Mt. Hood with an ascent time of 1:39:36 and a round trip time of 2:14:50.

Strava link: https://www.strava.com/activities/3499565284

I was going for the ascent record as I don't think the Jason Dorais' ski RT time of 1:44 is in the cards for me. Obviously, I didn't get the ascent record but I think the 2:14:50 time may be the FKT for Round trip on foot if that matters.

It was a beautiful day but with 10 inches of new snow two days previous it made for some pretty slow post-holing for a majority of the climb. Also, a ridiculous amount of people made the pearly gates a bit dicey and rather slow trying to weave and swerve safely through the crowds. So now I'm biding my time and waiting for some better conditions to give it another go.

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rreeder
Thu, 06/25/2020 - 02:10pm

Hey there,

I'm thinking about attempting a women's FKT up the standard south side route. Anyone know of any women's time that's already listed somewhere? I've done some research and haven't found anything. 

 

Thanks!

Hello!

Ironically Sarah Morris did an FKT for it the same morning you made this post. It processed today and is posted above. Best of luck! 

Alex Borsuk likely has the current round trip female FKT on the South Side route on Mt. Hood.  She had a summit time of 2:24 and a round trip time of 3:16 on 05/25/2016 with no glissading.