Mount Hood- Pearly Gates

AlexMitchko
Feb 9, 2023
3 min read

Updated: Apr 17, 2023

An iconic peak rising over 11,000 feet in northern Oregon has become a rite of passage for avid backcountry skiers throughout the west. Known for great low angle terrain and world-class summer freestyle programs, Mount Hood is among the PNW proving grounds for skiers looking to test their mettle.

This trip in early May 2022 was my first pilgrimage to the summit of Hood. In the summer of 2021 my childhood dream became true; I skied tow ropes, jibbed rails and finally got to taste what it felt like to ski in July! From that day I knew I’d be back to explore more of what this magical place had to offer.

As my ski partner, Tristan Soto, and I woke up in the climbers lot that morning, we were not the only ones with the idea of skiing that day. As we departed from the trailhead equipped with unnecessary headlamps and immeasurable stoke, we were joined by about 20 other skiers. This didn't hinder our spirits but rather an affirmation that this was going to be a day for books. As we climbed to the top of the Palmer chair the separation between parties began to increase. Water breaks, casual conversation and blisters seemed to be increasingly common as we ascended. Now well above the Palmer chair and cresting onto the fabled hogs back, the gravity of the mountain starts to crescendo. Once on Hogs Back the amphitheater is divided in two: From left to right you can view Old Chute, then Pearly gates, and the plethora of alpine routes in Devils Kitchen. The rib that creates the Hogs Back leads you to the main crux of the ascent, roughly 40-45 degree snow/ice climbing section in the Pearly Gates, contingent on conditions. Luckily for me I felt comfortable enough to boot straight up with no crampons/ ice axes necessary ( although I had them in my pack). Although feeling stable in the conditions, this section is definitely nerve racking: knowing there are climbers above and below you while a cauldron of spewing sulfur patiently awaits for one to make a mistake. Once through the steepest section of the Pearly Gates, the summit plateau comes into sight and with that a decreased heart rate.

Descent options from here are plentiful. Classic descents such as Old chute seem to be most popular while others remain seldom skied each year, such as the Newton-Clark Headwall. I decided to test my luck and ski through the pearly gates. I found success until the guilt of showering climbers with rime ice took over me, forcing me to downclimb about 20 vertical feet through the crux to the main apron leading to Hog’s Back. From here I danced with gravity on an off-camber slope, making some very enjoyable pow turns while climbers looked on.

The timing of all this was perfect as when I was descending, my partner started climbing through the crux, allowing me to snag some photos of him stoked out!

After all was said and done, we skied down the lookers left of the hogs back (our ascent route) and through the Timberline Ski Area.

Looking back at the mountain with uninterrupted sunshine from the climbers lot was intoxicatingly beautiful. Days like these will forever be etched into my ski memories . More details on route, speed and timing can be found on this Strava link.