Mt. Hood (Wy'east), Sunshine

Activity Notes

The Sunshine Route,  so named because it can get sunlight all day, is a standard north side route with a mixed reputation—it can be just a small step up from the southside in difficulty or a steep icy climb with significant exposure above a set of bergschrunds. We will be equipped for the difficult end, carrying ropes, pickets, and two tools (ice axe/ice tool)—as well as overnight gear and shovels. You should be confident in steep snow/ice climbing and in rope management. And all this while wearing a moderately heavy pack, since it will be a carryover.

I’ll adjust the date as needed and as possible to find a good weather window.

The default plan is to spread the joy over two days, dropping off cars at Timberline mid-morning, driving other cars to Tilly Jane Sno Park, and then ascending about 4200 ft. to a bivy site near Snow Dome (~8000 ft.). We’ll camp there and get some sleep before starting early and completing the route to the summit. From there we’ll descend the south side to Timberline and shuttle cars back to Tilly Jane as needed.

There is a chance we will skip the car shuttle and traverse around the east side from Timberline to the bivy site, but this option would require good conditions and recent beta on the route.