Location
Oregon
Elevation
11,240 ft
Total summits
50
Unique climbers
22
Difficulty
8 miles round trip
5,240 ft (1,597m)
8-12 hours
Timberline Lodge, Mt. Hood National Forest, Oregon, USA
The South Side route starts at Timberline Lodge (6,000 ft). Skin or hike up the Palmer Glacier to the Hogsback (10,500 ft), a common camp/rest spot. The summit push navigates between the dangerous Bergschrund crevasse and fumarole vents in the Pearly Gates couloir. Above, easier snow slopes lead to the summit. Start very early (midnight-2am) to climb frozen conditions and avoid rockfall when the sun warms the Pearly Gates. Crampons, ice axe, rope and mountaineering experience required.