What happened during the 1986 Mount Hood hike?

In May 1986, a school group on Mount Hood was caught in a severe snowstorm, leading to a tragic accident where nine people died due to hypothermia and exposure.

How many students died in the Mount Hood disaster?

Seven students were among the nine individuals who lost their lives during the 1986 Mount Hood hiking expedition.

What were the key factors contributing to the Mount Hood tragedy?

The tragedy was attributed to a combination of severe, unexpected weather and a lack of adequate preparation and overnight gear for the expedition.

Home / Disasters and Accidents / Basecamp Disaster: 9 Lives Lost on Mount Hood

Basecamp Disaster: 9 Lives Lost on Mount Hood

25 Jan

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Summary

A school hike on Mt. Hood in 1986 led to a tragic outcome.
Poor preparation met severe weather, causing hypothermia.
Nine hikers, including seven students, perished in the accident.

Basecamp Disaster: 9 Lives Lost on Mount Hood

In May 1986, an outdoor program at Oregon Episcopal School turned disastrous during a hike up Mount Hood. Twenty people, including 15 students, set out despite weather forecasts predicting snow and warnings from other groups who had canceled their expeditions.

The group began their ascent early on a Sunday morning, but soon encountered a severe snow flurry. Six members opted to descend, expecting the others to return by evening.

However, as visibility plummeted due to clouds and temperatures dropped dramatically, the remaining hikers were forced to turn back. They constructed a snow cave to shelter one boy succumbing to hypothermia, huddling together for warmth.