Mt. Hood || Climbing the Pearly Gates 

IG: @radishuprooted
I've dreamed of standing on the summit of Mt. Hood since I first laid eyes on it as I thru hiked the Pacific Crest Trail back in 2020. This towering active volcano is the tallest peak in Oregon and dominates the Portland skyline. I've attempted the summit in the past but was repeatedly turned away by treacherous conditions--but this time I successfully bagged the peak! Our climbing route started at Timberline Ski Lodge at 6000 feet, up the Palmer Glacier to the top of the lifts, into the steaming Crater also known as the Devil's Kitchen, up the spine of the Hog's Back, through the near vertical ice of the Pearly Gates, and finally onto the Summit at 11,249 feet. After soaking in the glory, we down climbed the chute and skied all the way back down to the car, completely exhausted and ready for a beer.