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.
Comments
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
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.
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.
Re Alex King above.
I'm sorry to say this but I also was there. I was curious to check today this website and am saddened. We were doing some training only 50 feet above the parking lot and saw him in shorts getting ready. I decided to time him harking back to my days as a track and field coach in high school for 22 years. I looked up every 20-30 minutes and got his time back at the finish. We were about 30 yards to the side. His time to that traverse to the hogsback was over 2 hours, then he went out of view. I assume he was at about 2 hours 20 minutes to the summit. His time back where he started (above the parking lot far to the right side (when looking up at the summit) which is where we were training was over 3 hours. I wish him the best. It's sad about these self-claimed "records". Also sad, his Strava shows nothing regards his time.