Mazamas Mount Hood Outing, July 15–29, 1912

"The annual encampment at Mount Hood from July 15 to 29, 1912, is to be included among the best of the 19 annual outings conducted by the Mazamas since the organization of the club. The camp was located a short distance from Cloud Cap Inn, in a grove of sub-alpine trees and convenient to the mountain. The largest number of people in camp at one time was 125. The official climb on July 22 was participated in by 65 persons, who were joined on the summit by a large party of climbers from the south side of the mountain, conducted by the Portland YMCA. The record time of one hour and fifty-seven minuted from Cloud Cap Inn to the summit was made on this day by George Riddle. He left the Inn at four o'clock in the morning and planted the Mazama flag on the summit at 5:57 [a.m.]."  

Excerpted from Mazama, 1912, page 27.

Hermann Niehoff came to the United States on a 3-masted sailing ship as a sailor before World War I. While exploring the West Coast he discovered Portland and decided to settle. He found early work in logging before making a career in upholstery. While not working, he took classes at the Portland Art School and played as a musician around town. 

After the war, Hermann and his wife opened their own upholstery business in Woodstock. While working hard to make is business succeed, he set aside time to explore Oregon. On one of his early outings, Hermann encountered a group of Mazamas and a short while later became a member. He enjoyed the comradely of the Mazamas and climbed Mount Hood at least once, in August of 1927. On many of his outings with the Mazamas Hermann brought along his film camera. 

The Mazama Library holds two different film reels shot by Mr. Niehoff, and we recently had both digitized. The three segments focus on mountaineering and cover two climbs of Mount Hood, one in 1936 and the other in 1938. The rest of the film is footage from the 1938 Annual Outing to the Olympic Mountains and the climb of Mount Olympus.