u/East-Leopard-37810

I love hiking, but I have never been mountaineering. I live in Oregon and want to climb Mt. Hood at some point in the next couple of years. Can I prepare to climb Hood without spending thousands of dollars on courses?

I have good hiking fitness and do fine at elevation. I’ve hiked Timpanogos, Nebo, and King’s Peak in Utah, and Elbert in Colorado, to name a few. The most “technical” mountain experiences I’ve had are Mt. Borah and Mytikas in Greece (a bit of a scramble at the end, but nothing crazy or requiring special gear).

I know I’ll need to get comfortable with crampons and ice axes, but I’m not sure where to start. Any advice is appreciated.