Achieving the summit of Mount Hood requires an unyielding, field-tested equipment system that functions flawlessly in severe alpine wind and hard ice. Flexible hiking boots and aluminum crampons are strictly banned on our summit climbs due to structural failure risks in the upper gates. Full-shank mountaineering boots paired with automatic or semi-automatic steel crampons are mandatory operational requirements for this program.
Use this equipment list is for the Mount Hood Summit Program. It is NOT for the Silcox Hut-based Summit Program.
You must have all the items on this list when you meet your guide, regardless of season or forecast. Please call us if you have any questions. Your guide will not let you take part in the activity if you don’t have appropriate gear. Please arrive at your meet-time dressed for the activity. There will be time for questions and adjustments. Some technical equipment can be rented from us and requires advanced notice.
There are many brand/model options of clothing and gear. The links below are examples of items that work well.
Clothing
- Underwear – Wool or synthetic Men’s Women’s
- Socks – 2 pairs of wool or synthetic socks. Men’s Women’s
- Long Underwear – Wool or synthetic. Men’s Women’s
- T-shirt – Wool or synthetic. Men’s Women’s
- Lightweight Fleece Top (or sun hoody) – Fleece top Men’s Women’s Sun hoody Men’s Women’s
- Softshell Top – Men’s Women’s
- Hiking/Softshell Pants – Men’s Women’s
- Waterproof-breathable Pants – Waterproof, breathable pants without insulation; full-length side-zipper highly recommended for putting on over boots when the weather gets severe. Men’s Women’s
- Waterproof-breathable Jacket – Waterproof, breathable jacket without insulation; requires a hood that will fit over a climbing helmet Men’s Women’s
- Insulated Parka – Men’s Women’s Synthetic fill strongly recommended. Micro-puff jackets are too light for potential conditions. *This item IS available for rent
- Light-weight Gloves – Men’s Women’s
- Medium-weight Gloves – Lightly insulated, waterproof. Men’s Women’s
- Heavy-weight Gloves – Insulated, waterproof. Men’s Women’s
- Warm Hat – Wool or synthetic and fits under a helmet. Unisex
- Neck warmer – Protection from wind, cold and sun. Unisex
- Sun Hat –Light packable ball cap or brimmed hat. Ortovox trucker hat
- Gaiters – For soft, slushy snow conditions. Gaiters can also protect from tripping and/or ripping pants with crampons. Outdoor Research Mountaineering Gaiters
Personal Gear
- Lunch/Snacks – a variety of tasty, high energy foods
- Water Bottles – Two 1-liter bottles required. No bladders allowed for risk of freezing and/or breaking. Nalgene
- Sunglasses or Glacier Glasses – High-quality, dark, large and fit snugly or have side-shields. Julbo Mountain Glasses
- Ski Goggles – Clear or light in color, in case of blowing snow. Julbo Goggles
- Sun Block – SPF 30 or higher
- Lip Balm – SPF 15 or higher
- Toilet Paper – Just in case! Blue bags will be available at most trailheads.
- Headlamp – Full charge or fresh batteries. Petzl headlamp
- Personal First Aid Kit – Moleskin, ibuprofen, aspirin, antacids, personal prescriptions, band-aids.
Technical Climbing Gear – Items we rent
- Mountaineering boots – Full-shank, insulated, waterproof mountaineering boots are required for all of our climbs. Men’s Women’s
- Crampons – 10 or 12-point, steel crampons. Aluminum crampons aren’t suitable for typical steep climbing in the Cascades. Black Diamond Sabretooth
- Ice Axe – 50 to 65cm long. Petzl Summit Evo
- Climbing Pack – 40-50 liter. Pack must have ice axe loops. Ortovox Peak 45
- Trekking Poles with Snow Baskets – Trekking poles save energy on the way up and your knees on the descent. Black Diamond Poles
- Climbing Harness with 2 locking carabiners – Alpine-style Blue Ice Choucas (no charge for harness rental)
- Climbing Helmet – Edelrid Zodiac (no charge for helmet rental)