On Mount Hood: A Biography of Oregon's Perilous Peak

by Jon Bell

On Mount Hood is a contemporary, first-person narrative biography of Oregon's greatest mountain, featuring stories full of adventure and tragedy, history and geology, people and places, trivia and lore. The mountain itself helps create the notorious Oregon rains and deep alpine snows, and paved the way for snowboarding in the mid 1980s. Its forests provide some of the purest drinking water in the world, and its snowy peak captures the attention of the nation almost every time it wreaks fatal havoc on climbers seeking the summit. On Mount Hood builds a compelling story of a legendary mountain and its impact on the people who live in its shadow, and includes interviews with a forest activist, a volcanologist, and a para-rescue jumper. Jon Bell has been writing from his home base in Oregon since the late 1990s. His work has appeared in Backpacker, The Oregonian, The Rowing News, Oregon Coast, and many other publications. He lives in Lake Oswego, OR.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Travel, Geology, Science, Nature, Outdoors

224 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2011

About the author

An outdoor enthusiast and wordsmith, Jon Bell has been writing from his home base in the Portland, Oregon, area since the late 1990s. After growing up in Mansfield, Ohio, Jon got a bachelor's degree in history from Michigan State University, then traveled extensively across the American West before landing in Portland. His first published pieces were about some of his backpacking and climbing excursions in the Northwest, including countless weekends on Mount Hood. His work has appeared in Backpacker, The Oregonian, The Rowing News, Oregon Coast, and many other publications. He is also co-author of the climbing guidebook, Ozone, and a former president of the Ptarmigans Mountaineering Club. He lives in Lake Oswego, Oregon, with his wife, two kids, and a black Lab.

Reviews

[jeremy · Rating 3 out of 5]

some fifty miles east southeast of portland lies the highest peak in the state of oregon: mount hood, a 700,000 year old stratovolcano. the fourth tallest in the cascade range (some 11,240 feet high), mt. hood is currently rated fourth by the us geological survey (usgs) in terms of "size and potential damage of an eruption." there is, of course, far more to hood than its latent explosive power, as jon bell's intriguing book on mount hood: a biography of oregon's perilous peak makes abundantly clear.

light on the science and heavy on the personal anecdote, bell's often charming book explores nearly every facet the mountain has to offer. on mount hood's brief chapters cover everything from the peak's geological history, its glaciers, the storied timberline lodge, its pronounced effects on local weather, the history of its early summits, and details about its many climbing fatalities (nearly 140 since records have been kept), amongst other topics. bell also dispels some of the long-held myths regarding mt. hood, most notably that portland's drinking water is fed by the mountain's glacial runoff (in fact, none of the city's drinking water originates on the mountain- nearly all of it comes from the nearby bull run watershed).

jon bell's affection for the mountain is rather evident, and his enthusiasm for its wonder and beauty is easily shared. on mount hood is a great general interest book on one of oregon's most recognizable (and influential) landmarks. from its foothills to the timberline to its snow-capped summit, bell provides an interesting first-hand glimpse of hood's many striking characteristics.

whether hiking or climbing or skiing or camping on it, gazing longingly at it from an office window, sipping a pale ale with its countenance on the label, enduring the rain it wrings from the air, following a story about climbers lost on it or massive trees about to be cut on it, hood has a story that inevitably becomes a part of your own. the mountain's presence is undeniable and iconic, always there, whether you can see it or not. it is a paragon of alpine beauty, but also in its entirety much more than that. mount hood is sunshine and storms, forests and fauna; it is snow, ice, and water; it is history and tragedy, mystery and glory.

[Mihai · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good overview of the most dominant mountain in Oregon. I picked up at the book at Powell's in Portland while on a trip to climb Mt. Hood. Read about half of it in the hotel room while waiting for a break in the weather to make the attempt. The book is a good blend of the author's personal experiences and the history of human interaction with the mountain - including first climbers, the historic Timberline Lodge, development of recreational opportunities through the years and the modern high-profile incidents on the mountain. It also provides an informative explanation of the natural setting for Hood, complete with its geologic history, its rivers, glaciers and forests. I felt I got to know this landmark mountain a lot better through this easy to read 'biography.'

[Melody · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable flyover of Mount Hood. There was a little too much focus on climbers lost, disasters and the never-omitted-when-it-could-be-mentioned tragic OES trip. Stil, I liked the parts about the Timberline Trail, and I dug the bits and pieces of history that Bell wove in. His voice is warm and engaging, and I learned some things. Now I have to look for the book I somehow expected (though, given the title of this one, I have no idea why), which is a guide to all the hikes on Hood.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting read because I have spent a fair amount of time hiking on Mount Hood and visiting Timberline Lodge. The book reads more like a series of feature articles about the mountain, and the writing style sounds like newspaper journalism (which makes sense, since the author is a former Oregonian reporter). However, I learned new things from the book and have added some trails and destinations to my lists of places to see.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Mt. Hood and anyone who comes to visit me in Oregon is getting a tour of this astounding place. The author of this book did some cool research...a lot of his chapters were about things I already knew or just common sense stuff, but other parts of the history and geological science is pretty cool.

[Jeanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such an interesting read! For those of us who have lived near Mt. Hood for a while, this book emphasizes how important "the mountain" is to various parts of our lives - from being a visual icon in the distance (when it is "out") to providing our pristine water supply. Written with fun and reverence.

[Justin Kent · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great quick read on the history of Mt. Hood and surrounding areas and what makes it so special to Portlanders and Oregon natives

[Travis Callender · Rating 2 out of 5]

Does not hold up well enough for people who are not already in love with the mountain.

[Ian · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been wanting to learn more about Mt. Hood's geography, history, and reputation. This book satisfied my need very well.

[Chrisbaker811 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great local history on an Oregon natural icon.

[Junkfood · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful collection of the history of Oregon's highest mountain and the author's own experiences with the mountain.

[Ari · Rating 4 out of 5]

Makes me want to climb it... Well, until I got to the section about all the accidents. Maybe not.

[Jason Jaworski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great reading for anyone with an interest in Mt Hood.

[P K · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's fun to read a book about your home mountain! Biography is a good way to categorize this book because it's not just a natural history, but a narrative non-fiction that mixes local history, geology, adventures, tragedies, catastrophizing, and utility. It makes you feel like you're getting to know the personality of Mt. Hood.

I learned a lot of cool stuff from this book, like Portland's drinking water is mostly rain water and not glacial melt from Hood as is commonly believed. Ok but speaking of glaciers: Mt. Hood’s glaciers have been retreating so fast! Mt. Hood’s glaciers have lost a third to half of their volume since the early 20th century. Compared to earlier decades (like 1907-2000), the rate of loss has more than doubled. And while they don't supply Portland's drinking water, they do supply a lot of our agricultural water, so this is terrible news.

It was also really interesting to learn the details of the 1986 tragedy when nine people (seven students and two staff) from Oregon Episcopal School died during a mountain program on Hood after a storm trapped them. They sheltered in a snow cave but only two survived. The book dives into the miscommunications, delayed rescue, and chaotic logistics that made the disaster worse.

I started skiing on Hood last year, and summited the mountain a few months later for the first time. I've also hiked, climbed, and backpacked in the foothills around Mt. Hood for years, so it was cool to read this book at a time I'm getting to know the mountain better.

[Taylor · Rating 3 out of 5]

I learned a few interesting things in this book and it was a nice, easy read. The format was way too chaotic though. Each chapter has a focus, which was fine and makes sense when you're telling the history of a landmark or area. But the interspersed anecdotes were often presented without preface or context, so I wasn't sure when the story took place or who was involved, etc. So the sloppy organization of the book wasn't ideal, but it was still a good little read about a beautiful place in the world.

[Robert Meade · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am not going to say this is a great book but it was pretty good. I have never climbed Mt. Hood but have definitely thought about it. They say it is one of the most popular mountains to climb in the whole world but then there have been plenty of people who died and plenty of accidents and search and rescues on Mt. Hood. It gives good explanations on the different routes taken to the summit and also a good history of Timberline Lodge.

[Torey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good background and historical perspective, a little rambling at time. I personally tend to prefer books that lean more towards more historical facts than musings and memories - as a native Oregonian who grew up in the shadow of Mt Hood, really enjoyed learning more about the history. Any chance we can get similar tales of history and adventure for Mt Adams, Ranier, and St Helens? Three Sisters, Broken Top, Three Finger Jack?

[Kaitlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

We have lived in Portland for just under a year now and this book came highly recommended. A compact history and love story of the mountain. My friends and I are aiming to summit Mount Hood this weekend, so this was the perfect little prelude to that. Filled one of the "your choice!" spaces on my Powell's Summer Reading challenge bingo card.

[Kit · Rating 3 out of 5]

This guy reads like a bit of a tool but there's lots of good nuggets about the mountain to gnaw on.

[Bethany]

It could be good but the sentences are so long and insufferable.

[Jim Aikman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not the most well written prose, but well researched and very charming. Deepened my love of the Mt Hood area, home for ten years.

[Lynzo · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good overview of one of my favorite places.

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

For those of us lucky enough to call Oregon home, Mt. Hood shapes our lives both to the good and the bad. On the plus side, Mt. Hood helps feed us, provides us with the best drinking water in the country, and provides more accessible hiking, camping, skiing, fishing, and climbing opportunities than anyone could expect. To the bad, Mt. Hood keeps us under clouds and rain (on the west side) and bone-dry (to the east) and, on occasion, kills one of us.

And so we love Mt. Hood for reasons far more complex than George Mallory's famous explanation for climbing Mt. Everest, "Because it's there."

Jon Bell's "On Mt. Hood" is his love letter to the mountain. Don't be afraid - this is not some touchy-feely New Age paean to Mother Gaia. Bell writes with a journalist's insight on all facets of the mountain, from its geology to its history to the people who love it. "On Mt. Hood" would do for the enjoyment of Mt. Hood was Chris MacDougall ("Born to Run") did for barefoot running . . . that is, if millions of people didn't already love Mt. Hood.

While Bell gets into the hard science of Mt. Hood's formation, volcanic nature, glaciers, earthquakes, and water runoff, he treads lightly and never gets bogged down into scientific arcana. This is not a PhD treatise, but rather a well-informed love letter.

While Bell is a Mt. Hood fanatic, he respects the mountain's lethal power. Some of the book's best passages involve lethal climbing mishaps, including the blizzard that killed several local high school students in the 1980s and the world-famous rescue helicopter crash that had a 'copter rolling over soldiers on a rescue mission on live TV. By the end of the book we see Bell and his wife refuse to cross a seemingly-passable but raging stream that crosses their path on the Timberline Trail, and we instantly agree with their decision. But despite the killing power of the mountain, Bell makes it clear why so many of us need to trek back up the mountain so regularly.

In this relatively short book, Bell will have you second-guessing any decision you've made that has kept you off the mountain. If you have always thought about taking a trip here and decided against it, please read this book and update your vacation plans. Highly recommended.

[Gail Katz · Rating 3 out of 5]

I moved a few years to Oregon/ I fell in love with it when first entering the eastern side of the State on a very long road tour. I was escaping from Hurricane Ivan that hit my home in Navarre, FLorida and a relationship that was falling apart. Ah Oregon, it just got better and better.

I had grown up in a totally industrialized steel city in the Midwest. And lived many years in the South's most bustling city. And the Gulf of Mexico where I was living was plagued during that time with hurricane's. Additionally, when one turned around from loving the incredible snow white sugar sand -- the intensely turquoise waters-- there was the panhandle of Florida. Think of it as South Alabama with waves, sigh. Time to move on....

Mount Hood transfixes me. I am not a backpacker, hiker or even a camper now days. Age, bad knees and inertia has taken its toll. But viewing Mount Hood no matter what distance is incredible.

John Belle, the author, is a fellow flat lander from the Midwest. A news reporter by trade, this book reflects that style of writing. It is more an essay with some history interwoven in its short under 250 page book. I think you would enjoy the book more if you had at least seen the Mountain in person. The hypnotic effect lingers. And you end up wanting to share the experience with someone else. Bell does a pretty good job of sharing.

[Christina · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a quick, informative read. It explores Mount Hood from a variety of angles: its geological history, recreational opportunities (hiking, skiing, climbing), regional significance (e.g., water), and need for protection and conservation. I read the book in two evenings, and I appreciated the variety of Hood-related information it provided.

Although the subtitle refers to Mount Hood as "perilous," in my mind it's a friendly mountain. It pops out from behind the clouds to say hello when you're on the Washington side of the Gorge (say, driving along 14). The familiarity of its distinctive peak gives you a warm feeling from wherever you see it (whether it be from Portland, Silver Star, or driving north from Bend). I haven't been any higher on Hood than McNeil Point--and after reading the chapters on climbing the summit, I both want and fear to climb it--so I suppose it makes sense that I see it this way.

[Roy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book by Jon Bell gives us the perspective of a journalist and one who appreciates the outdoors. Like so many people who have settled in the area around Portland (Oregon), Bell has an affinity for this mountain that dominates the landscape and the dreams of the people in the region. It has that attraction for those who want to climb it and an awe for those who know they can't. Bell brings that sense of attraction and awe, as well as a solid (if brief) history of the mountain and its role in the region -- both past and present.

Whether in anticipation of your own climb of this magnificent mountain, seeking the opportunity to learn more about the mountain and its influence on the region, or remaining an armchair traveller, this book is highly recommended. It is a pleasant and comfortable -- and, at times, very personal -- reflection of a mountain.

[(a)lyss(a) · Rating 3 out of 5]

"But seeing a snowy Mount Hood on the horizon for the first time was truly entrancing - a sight that brands your perception, marks your memory, nearly sends you careening off the road."

Since I grew up in the shadow of Mount Hood, I was curious about the history and was interested in this book.

While I liked that the author took a personal approach in sharing their climb of the mountain, I actually found that to be the least interesting part of the book. I was hoping for more history of the mountain and how it's shaped the communities around it. It shares a lot of information I didn't know and it has a light narrative that ties everything together so it was a good read.

Not quite what I expected, but an interesting story.

[Gregory Lamb · Rating 4 out of 5]

This non-fictional story of everything about Mt Hood was a quick read. Bell writes in an easy to digest journalistic style and presents a history of nearly every aspect of mankind's interaction with the mountain. From saving the Eagle Creek forest in the Bull Run watershed from destruction to the political deals cut to preserve the natural landscape of Mt Hood's Cooper Spur area, every Portlander could learn a little something from reading On Mount Hood.

[Joel · Rating 3 out of 5]

adds to McNeil and Grauer's books about Mt. Hood with some newer info

[SA · Rating 3 out of 5]

Credible writing, though I was truly there for the subject matter; it was fun to read anecdotes and history of a volcanic peak I see so often (though not at all with these winter skies).