danni

Saw this and thought I would throw in my 2 cents worth. I have climbed Hood numerous times and lead club climbs on the south side every year. I am a member of one of the local mountain rescue teams and I also have a little experience leading blind climbers/hikers. I appreciate what your group is wanting to do and would like to help. I do though see a few key issues and perhaps some misconceptions that would need to be resolved. 1st, no route on Hood can really be called a "day hike". All routes require basic but solid skills in crampon/ice axe use, team roped steep snow travel, and self arrest. Even Timberline guide service would require you to already have these skills or take their course before a summit attempt. 2nd late June may be too late for an attempt. The route needs snow cover or rockfall danger becomes too great. So... here are my suggestions. Take a basic moutaineering course. Many climbing clubs, colleges, and guide services offer them mostly in the early spring. I help instruct a club course usually offered in early April every year. You could plan to postpone your climb until next season or choose a different objective. If you want to come to come to Oregon this year, I can recommend more suitable objectives. It's possible to gain the necessary skills and make a Hood summit attempt in 1 trip, perhaps over a long weekend. I might be able to gather some other volunteer instructors/leaders for a mini course and climb if I had enough time but I don't see it happening this year. Let me know if you would like to talk more. Good luck. D. Harris

A friend is hoping to climb monitor ridge route next week. Is there any snow on the climbers trail?