SACsters:
This is a trip report of a climb and successful summit of Mt. Hood, early Sunday morning, 4/19/09.
SACster Doug Adair and I started from the Timberline Wy'East Lodge climbers cave ca. 1:30 am on Sunday morning, under a starry sky, and a light breeze. We had a good hiking to the top of the Palmer snowfield, whereupon we were greeted by a lovely moonrise. Continuing upward to the Devil's Kitchen and the Hogsback, we encountered groupings of climbers who were gathering for the last phase of this climb. Among them were another SAC team lead by Fritz Capell, with father/son, Tim and Christian Butler.
The final approach to the summit on Hood's standard route again follows what is known as the 'Mazama Veriation', as was the case last year. This route continues above and then traverses west of the Hogsback, until you are met with a short couloir ('Old Chute'), that tracks to the northeast, and eventually to the summit. On Sunday, Doug and I opted to bypass the chute, and climbed a variation, which led us along the north rim of the mountain.
We were greeted on the summit by the sunrise. We remained on top, savoring the view, and chatting with other climbers for about 45-minutes, before our descent home.
Kipp
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