Hike to the Summit (HTTS) Program

Want to stand on the top of a famous NW summit like South Sister or Mt. St Helens, but don’t have much interest in dealing with rope, harness, ice axe, crampons, or helmets?  Check out the Hike to the Summit!

This program offers opportunities to summit a glaciated mountain peak for those who do not have technical mountaineering skills.  These hikes/climbs are planned in the late summer on peaks such as Mt. St. Helens, South Sister or Old Snowy, when technical gear are usually not needed to attain the summit.  Non-members and novice climbers are encouraged to go on these hikes/climbs to attain a glaciated summit, which qualifies them for Mazamas membership.

To get in shape for these climbs, try to hike regularly through the spring and summer.  Hikes that include 3,000 plus feet of elevation gain over 6 or more miles will prepare you for the climb.  Try to work up to doing this while wearing a pack with approx. 20% of your body weight.  On your climb card, please list the more challenging hikes you have recently done rather than climbing experience.

Cost for the climb (1 climb card) is $15 for Mazamas members, and $25 for non-members.  Group size is usually 8-10 (never more than 12), and carpooling from Portland is strongly encouraged.

To go on one of these climbs, you need to:

1. Choose a climb(s) from the list below
2. Confirm that this climb is still open by consulting the main Mazama Climb Schedule
3. Contact the leader to find out if there is still room on their climb.  The best way to do this is via email and on the climb schedule above, there is a link on the specfiic climb to the Climb Leader’s Profile Page which not only gives you their email but also more information on that particular climb Leader. (Contact the Mazamas office if you have trouble)
4. If the leader does have room, buy a climb card from the Mazamas office.  (Calling in with a credit/debit card is usually the fastest way.)
5. Fill out the climb card and mail it to the leader. There is a very good description of this process and other valuable information and tips on the Getting Started section of our website. NOTE: Make sure if this is a climb for Mt. St. Helen’s that you include a check for the permit fee costs at the time of applying.
6. You will receive back in the mail from the Climb Leader the bottom of the climb card and that will tell you if you are accepted or an alternate.
7. Wait for the leader to send you a climb prospectus, meet up your team, and climb your peak!

Please see the Climbing pages for more on the whole climb application process.  Contact us at the Mazama Mountaineering Center if you have any questions about the Hike to the Summit.  See you on top!

2009 Hike to the Summit Climbs  (NOTE: These climbs were scheduled during the 2009 climbing season. They should give you some idea of the timing and destination of possible climbs in 2010. In early April, you can find the most up-to-date information on the Summer Climb Schedule. Also Check out the Climb Leader Profile Pages for more information on the Leader. All of these climbs, below, are specifically geared for Hike to The Summit.)