The weather forecast for the weekend was excellent.  We decided to attempt Mt. Hood and took the dogs with us.  Saturday afternoon, after taking a nap, we loaded our car with climbing gears and dogs and headed down towards Oregon.  We stopped at a favorite Mongolia Grill at SeaTac to fill ourselves up before the climb.  5 hours later, we arrived at Government Camp around midnight.  We stopped at Mt. Hood Inn to purchase Snow Park permit and try to ask some questions.  But the person at the front desk said the passes were all sold out and claimed that he was new at the job and did not know anything that I asked.  Obviously he thought the fact that he was incompetent at his job was our fault and was not friendly to us at all.  Our second stop was a place called "Huckleberry Inn".  A weird-looking man was sitting in a dimly light restaurant with an eerie atmosphere.  As soon as he found out that we were to climb Mt. Hood "with just the two of us", he gave us a very hateful look, if we were about to commit some despicable crime.  (He obviously thought the look of the two of us did not qualify as climbers at all!)  He managed to mutter something like "Be careful" between his teeth and did not talk with us at all.  At that point, we were both confused and a little demoralized.  However, the search for the precious Pass went on.  With more effort, we finally were able to find it at the Timberline Lodge right below the trailhead. 

At 1:45 am, we were all geared up and ready to go.  We put dog harnesses on Ruby and Emerald and hooked them to ourselves with runners and carabiners.  Afraid of open crevasse, we don't want them to run around.  It was fairly warm but a little windy.  There were just the two of us on the trail.  The dogs were little confused since it was the first time they were climbing during night. They were obvious wondering why the heck these people were dragging them out during this hour of night !! 

During the first 2 hours, we were hiking in total darkness and did not see anyone else.  There was no obvious track or footsteps so we were constantly wondering if we were heading to the right direction.  At one point, we were almost sure that we were off route and started wandering around trying to locate the route .... Finally, at 8500 ft, we saw another climber coming up.  He assured us that we were heading to the right direction and pointed out the route for us.  Greatly encouraged, we caught up the speed and started powering up.  Night was receding and morning light started slipping in ...

The first light on the mountain. We finally saw other climbers on the route.

We arrived at the ridge below "Hog's back".  Climbers were taking break before the last difficult part of the climb.  This was also where the smell of sulfur coming from "Devil's Kitchen" was strongest.  I was almost sickened by the smell.

Tao was feeding Ruby water.  The dogs were not happy that they were leashed all the time.  Their rope-team behavior were really awful.  They constantly tangled up the rope or changed the speed or pulled us to the wrong direction.  (Sigh!) we have to give them more training on rope-team behavior

Another view of the resting spot

At 8:30 am, the four of us arrived at the summit.  It was the first time Ruby and Emerald climbed this high. Emerald congratulated Dad with a kiss.

Ruby seconded Emerald ...

	Mt. Rainier and At. Adams in the north

A climber was ready to leave the summit

Tao taking pictures for other climbers.

Emerald was complaining about being leashed the whole time.  But sorry baby, there is cliffs and cornice everywhere.  No running around ...

Can't get enough of them ...

Mt. Jefferson and Sisters (?) in the south

Looking down the Hog's back from Pearly Gate

	The valley besides the Hogs' back.

	Fume coming out from the Devil's Kitchen

The smell seemed to get even stronger when temperature rose in the morning

Bruce was climbing a neighboring route "Guies and Gals"

Looking back the Hog's back

Crevasses started open already ...

Emerald was not as thrilled by the view and started to fall asleep already.

Glissading on the way down was always the best part.

	View on the descent

The dogs were finally free to run.

But Emerald made her intention very clear...

	Ruby was wondering where are the sticks?  How come we are not playing throwing the sticks?

Looking back the route

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