Mazamas — For the Love of Mountains
Commonly done during the Basic Climbing Education Program (BCEP), this hike is a good conditioner for climbing Mt. Hood as well as practicing rope team travel and crampon techniques.
Activity Notes
OVERVIEW:
Please park in the overflow lot at Timberline Ski Area, a.k.a the mud lot or Salmon lot. Once geared up we will head over to the Climbers Registry at the entrance to the Wy'East Day Lodge to show you the process of registering for a Mt. Hood climb. From there we will head up to the Palmer snow field. While also a good trainer at elevation, the Palmer hike gives us the chance to practice some of the snow skills we went over in breakout on Wednesday under climb-like conditions. We will get to hike in crampons (weather and snow condition permitting), use an ice axe, travel in rope teams and pass through protection on running belays. We will kick steps and improve them on the way up and plunge step on the way down. We will experience mountain weather. This will be a good test of your winter gear, boots, hydration systems and conditioning. We will start at the lodge at 5,900’ and if time and conditions allow, top out at the top of the Palmer at 8,500’.
| Other Information | |
|---|---|
| Driving Distance from Portland | 65 miles |
| Driving Time from Portland | 60 hours |
| Distance - Round Trip | 4 miles |
| Expected Duration | Car to car in one day |
| Useful Links | Map |
