July 30, 2007

One hundred and fifty years ago, on Aug. 6, 1957, Henry Pittock, Professor L.J. Powell, William S. Buckley, W. Lyman Chittenden and James Deardorff made the first documented successful ascent of 11,239-foot Mount Hood.

To mark this occasion and provide a public educational opportunity, the Mt. Hood Cultural Center and Museum has teamed up with Timberline Lodge, the Crag Rats and other mountain-related organizations to present “The Mt. Hood Climbing Expo.”

The event will include climbing demonstrations, information, plus history on display in and around Timberline Lodge.

Also part of the Climbing Expo will be programs in the Lodge’s newly restored outdoor amphitheater, featured speakers, and short classes by the NW School of Survival on using a map, compass, GPS and Mt. Hood Locator Units. The event is open to everyone and free of charge.

“Over the years, Timberline Lodge has served as the base for hundreds of thousands of south side climbs, and yet we’ve never had an event quite like this,” said Jon Tullis, Timberline’s director of public affairs.

“For Timberline, this is a real nice outreach opportunity to the climbing community — time to celebrate the rich history of climbing and the common bond that so many Oregonians have, having reached the summit of Oregon’s tallest peak.”

People who have climbed Mount Hood are encouraged to bring and donate a Mount Hood summit photo of their selves to the Mt. Hood Cultural Center and Museum collection. Volunteers from the Museum will also be on hand to record people’s personal stories of climbing the mountain. This recording will be preserved at the museum to commemorate the event, and to serve as an oral history of mountain climbing on Mount Hood.