On July 11, 2009 I had the opportunity to complete a late-season ascent of Mt Hood with the Rosell family from Bellevue, Washington and Cozette from Fort Collins, Colorado. Working with guide Jon Bates, we reached the summit by 6:30 AM after a 1:30 AM alpine start. Even though it was late in the season, we had some unexpected great climbing conditions on the headwall due to a combination of wind that hardened-up the snow at night and the sun forming suncups during the day, creating a 'staircase' of horizontal 
footsteps up to the summit. The clear night with the light of a near full moon and the planet Mars, presented an awesome nighttime backdrop to our summer ascent. At sunrise, the mountain shadow was striking, stretching out to the southwest (photo below, with guides Matt Cline and Jon Bates).
During the descent, ravens were circling the summit-always a good omen!
footsteps up to the summit. The clear night with the light of a near full moon and the planet Mars, presented an awesome nighttime backdrop to our summer ascent. At sunrise, the mountain shadow was striking, stretching out to the southwest (photo below, with guides Matt Cline and Jon Bates).
During the descent, ravens were circling the summit-always a good omen!Click below to see a photo/video log of the climb.
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