CLIMBING GUIDES
Mountain and Rock Climbing
Clubs and Guides
Mt. Hood is a popular mountain for climbers from beginning to expert. Mountain climbing is a challenging, rewarding and risky sport. There are many organizations in the Northwest that make it possible for anyone to have a safe, fun and successful climb on Mt. Hood, as well as teaching people so they can become proficient, independent climbers. (Photo to the left: Courtesy Timberline Mountain Guides, Inc.)
The Mazamas is a mountaineering club that was founded on the summit of Mt. Hood. Over 228 people gathered in Government Camp on March 19, 1894 to be a part of the club’s first climb. 
An organizational meeting was held at the summit and the Mazamas became the third official mountaineering club in the United States, preceded only by the Appalachian Club and the Sierra Club. The Mazamas now operate out of Portland as a nonprofit mountaineering education organization. They offer over 350 climbs and 700 hikes each year, along with classes for all abilities, which are open to both members and non-members.
The Timberline Mountain Guides is another group of people dedicated to mountain climbing. This talented group of climbers has been around the world and back on different climbs, and their enthusiasm for the sport carries over to the individuals they guide. The organization is in its 24th year of offering a variety of instructional programs and guided climbs for all levels. The progressive program of the TMGs is designed for climbers of any ability to get involved, experience the rewards of climbing, and grow into becoming an independent climber. Climbs are located at Mt. Hood and other mountains around Oregon. There are 10 program options for climbs on Mt. Hood, including The Summit Program, The Summit Overnight Program and The Advanced Climbing Program.
The Northwest School of Survival is a program that offers safety training for many aspects of outdoor adventuring. From mountaineering and avalanche safety to rock climbing and wilderness survival, the school offers year-round professional training. The school’s expertise is used to train the U.S. Military, federal and state government agencies, search and rescue units, backcountry professionals, and the general public. The professional instructors are highly skilled in their specialty, with safety as their top priority. Their goal is to create a memorable learning experience for those they are teaching, and they can design and provide specific training for you and your team. They offer their services anytime, any length and anywhere you need it. As an individual or a private group, you can book courses that will enable you to make your outdoor adventures safe and thrilling.
The Portland Mountain Rescue team is a non-profit, volunteer organization that focuses on search and rescue operations in snow, ice and high angle rock. As a branch of the international Mountain Rescue Association, the PMR is a group of over 70 highly skilled climbers and support resources, all playing different roles while working towards the goal of saving lives. In addition to saving lives, PMR actively works to promote safety and education to the public. They sponsor educational seminars, teach mountain safety classes to local youth, instruct avalanche awareness and survival skill classes, provide an informational website, and more. The organization operates mostly on Mt. Hood, as well as other areas of the Pacific Northwest, covering 4,000 square miles and a population of over 1,000,000. The people of this organization volunteer large amounts of their free time and often their work time to make the adventure of mountain climbing as safe and enjoyable as possible.
July/August 2007