Mountain rescue
Since 1926, the Crag Rats have rescued thousands of lost or injured hikers, climbers, and skiers in the wilds of Hood River County and on Mt. Hood. The team operates under the auspices of the Hood River County Sheriff.
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The Crag Rats
America's oldest all-volunteer mountain rescue organization — celebrating 100 years of service in 2026.
Program Overview
On a winter''s day just over a century ago, a boy got lost on the flanks of Mt. Hood, spurring a massive search. Days later, a group of friends — mostly orchardists from the Hood River Valley — found the boy and returned him to safety. When reporters asked the Hood River men what their group was called, they remembered a wife describing them as a bunch of rats because they spent weekends on the crags instead of with their families. Someone blurted out 'we''re the Hood River Crag Rats' — a name that''s become renowned in the annals of mountain rescue.
Mutual aid
While the official responsibility is Hood River County, the Crag Rats also provide mutual aid to neighboring counties — a backbone of regional mountain-rescue capacity.
Stewards of Cloud Cap Inn
The Crag Rats are proud stewards of the historic Cloud Cap Inn at 6,000 feet on the north side of Mt. Hood. Built in 1889 and falling into disrepair by the 1940s, the Inn was rescued by the Crag Rats — who maintain the building in exchange for use as a rescue and training base.
Centennial in 2026
In 2026, the Crag Rats are celebrating 100 years of service. Capital campaigns this year support a new training wall and ongoing Cloud Cap Inn maintenance.
Giving Opportunities
The Crag Rats are 100% volunteer and have no dedicated funding source. We are constantly in need of financial support for rescue equipment, training, and historic preservation.
Donate to rescue operations
Help fund rescue equipment and ongoing operations. The team has no dedicated funding source and relies entirely on community donations.
Centennial Training Wall
In honor of the Centennial, the Crag Rats are building a state-of-the-art training facility next to their Hut in the Hood River Valley. The facility will greatly improve training and will be open to neighboring search-and-rescue teams. Approximately $120,000 in additional funding is needed.
Cloud Cap Inn Maintenance
100-mile-per-hour winds, heavy rain, and deep snow demand constant upkeep of the historic Cloud Cap Inn — nearly every log, window, and shingle has been replaced over time. Upcoming repairs are anticipated to cost up to $400,000.
Join the Crag Rats
If you''re a highly experienced mountain person willing to be called anytime, day or night, to save a life, the Rats may be your way to give back. Visit cragrats.org/becoming-a-crag-rat to learn more.
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