New-York tribune., 1904-10-09
CLIMBING MOUNT HOOD.
Pleasure Enjoyed by Many Resi-
dents of Portland, Ore.

Eastern visitors 20 Pacific Coast cities find
much 10 admire in the mountain scenery which
forms the eastern sky line for nearly every
place Of consequence from Seattle TO Los An
Geles- There is a OF stately peaks. each
the pride OF the city which lies nearest to it
or commands the best view of it Seattle. for
instance, has Mount Rainier, the highest peak
IN the United States. except for the towering up
lifts in the territory of Alaska Tacoma boasts
Of Mount Tacoma. which is there the name for
the mountain in which Seattle glOries.
Mount Hood towers over Portland in striking
majesty and San Francisco feels the influence OF
shasta's iOftiness though the mountain cannot
be seen. In Los Angeles they talk about the
beauty OF Mount Whitney
What a magnificent mountain" the Eastern
visitor wont 10 remark Rdmiringiy in which
ever city he may be.
Fine old Peak that" the native is sure 20
respond. and like as not he win add with pre-
tended modesty: 1--WE been TO the top, and it's
vel worth WHILE
The next man you meet Is likely, IL II is the
right season Of the year. to invite you 20 join
hi:n on a trip TO the summit IT'S not too hard.
and the view is ample reward" he may urge
I've been up half a dozen times"
Il is no longer a distinction in Portland 90
have climbed Mount Hood Indeed. those who
have not paid tribute by attaining the summit
keep still about il. lest they be charged with
lacking in State and civic pride.
AL along the coast mountaineering has be-
come 4 recognized summer recreation. and the
sport has vastly more followers than in the
last This is due-to several things The West
erner is more energetic and given TO life out Of
doors Then the peaks which afford an interest
ing climb are in his back yard. as it were
The peaks in the Adirondacks. the White
Mountains. the Green and other Eastern noun
tains are not high enough 20 be really exciting;
they are a considerable distance away from
large centres, and there are other sports which
oHer more return for equal amount OF
trouble
Mount Hood was one OF the first Of the peaks
Of the Cascade and Sierra ranges to receive
the attention OF the mountain climber. Port
land people have been making the ascent for
more than half a century. For fifteen years not
4 summer has passed without one or more
parties visiting the summit
The gala day for the fine old peak. however.
vas July 19 1894. when 103 men and women
reached the summit which is II ,225 feet above
sea level The mountain climbing craze had
been growing steadily for several years previous
To this time. Energetic citizens had illuminated
the peak on the Fourth Of July for several years
as a unique feature Of POrtland's celebration.
The time was ripe for the formation Of 4 noun
tain climbing society.
Let us organize on top OF the mountain"
some one suggested MAKE every one who gets
to the top a charter member OF the Mazamas."
The idea met with instant favor and the day
was appointed. The climbers approached the
peak from two sides. the camps being pitched
Il timber line. Nearly three hundred started
from the government camp at the head of
pass on the south side Of the mountain. and
smaller number from Cloud Cap From either
place they could see the Pacific glimmering In
The light OF the setting sun. hundred miles TO
the westward
The original idea was TO begin the ascent at G
o'clock which would bring the average climber
TO the summit before noon. The fever OF attain
1nent WAS in the veins OF many. however, and
il broke out hours earlier than was scheduled
Scores began the ascent at o'clock. ana by