BCEP 2026 Team 03: Mazama Lodge Overnight and Snow Camping

Activity Notes

The Mazamas lodge is a wonderful communal bunk-bed style rustic log cabin at the foothills of Mt. Hood.  The Mazamas will provide dinner for us, and it a great way to relax and warm up by the fire after a long day in the snow.  Please bring a clean, dry change of clothes, and some indoor slippers to wear around the building.  There are shower facilities available if you wish a hot shower.  Please bring all your own supplies.

It is our belief that an absolutely VITAL part of the mountaineering experience is learning how to safely tent camp in the snow.  Most alpine objectives require you to spend the night on the mountain, and a climber woefully underprepared to camp in the snow is likely to fail in his/her summit bid.

We will, as a group, setup our tents in the snow behind the Mazamas lodge, and show you the best way to camp in the snow and stay warm.  Any normal 3-season backpacking tent will suffice, although a 4-season tent will be warmer.  We recommend bringing your warmest sleeping bag and two sleeping pads (one foam, one inflatable).  And bring a Nalgene bottle to fill with boiling hot water.  If you find that you are too cold in the evening, simply head inside the lodge where a warm bunk bed awaits you.

Snow camping is completely OPTIONAL and is not a required part of the BCEP curriculum.  So if you'd rather stay in a nice warm bed we understand :)

Depending on how folks feel in the morning, we will demonstrate an technical crevasse rescue setup.

Drivers will need to park on the far side of Hwy 26.  An OR Sno Park permit is required.

Carpooling Sheet