Woman Issues Warning About Hiking Mount Hood After Social Media Made It Look Like a ‘Walk in the Park’ (Exclusive)

Abby Nita, a passionate hiker from Gresham, Oregon, believes that social media often misrepresents the complexities and hazards of mountaineering, especially for newcomers to the sport. In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, Nita expressed her concerns that platforms such as TikTok frequently glamorise technical climbs like Mount Hood, leading first-time climbers to underestimate the inherent risks involved.

Before embarking on her own ascent of Mount Hood, Nita dedicated several weeks to watching online videos, hoping to gain insight into what the experience would truly feel like. Unfortunately, she found that the majority of content available was filled with polished summit clips, which failed to convey the risks of such climbs. “Social media glorifies and romanticises mountaineering,” the 28-year-old stated. “People don’t really talk about the dangers.”

Despite having hiked consistently for the past four years and considering herself relatively experienced, Nita felt apprehensive about the technical challenges posed by Mount Hood. Her fears were exacerbated by the short time frame in which she had to prepare, having been invited to join a summit attempt by a seasoned climber. “The last thing I expected this year was to climb Mount Hood,” she remarked. “It didn’t seem feasible as a beginner-intermediate mountaineer.”

In preparation for the climb, Nita focused on improving her cardio fitness and strength, alongside engaging in practice climbs near Timberline to acclimatise to the altitude. However, once she approached the mountain, she was taken aback by its psychological intensity. “Most other PNW volcanoes or ‘difficult’ hikes usually challenge you physically and test your endurance, but Hood tests you psychologically,” she explained.

After successfully making her way back down the mountain, Nita felt compelled to share her emotional experience online. In her TikTok video, she appeared visibly exhausted, reflecting on the significant demands posed by the climb. “I tried looking up vlogs of people who climbed, and it was just these young guys making it look like a walk in the park with very little to zero useful information,” Nita lamented.

Initially, her video drew criticism from some viewers who accused her of dramatizing her experience. However, Nita’s perspective shifted as she shared additional footage demonstrating the steep and icy terrain climbers face near the summit. This transparency resonated with her audience, prompting many viewers to comment that she had actually downplayed the challenges of the climb. “People said I actually UNDER reacted,” she revealed.

Further conversations in the comment section revealed that many individuals had encountered similar difficulties while climbing Mount Hood but were reluctant to voice their opinions due to feelings of embarrassment. “I even got a lot of comments and messages from people saying they had the same experience climbing Hood and hated it but were too embarrassed to ever tell anyone about it,” Nita noted.

These interactions solidified Nita’s conviction to showcase the reality of mountaineering rather than merely posting celebratory summit pictures. “If someone asked me what to expect if they were climbing Hood for the first time, I’d tell them once you’re up there, the danger feels VERY real,” she asserted. “With high risk comes high reward, and if you’re going to do it, you better be prepared to take that risk.”

Nita’s story serves as a pertinent reminder of the responsibility that those with a platform have in providing accurate representations of outdoor adventures. It underscores the importance of approaching mountaineering with respect and preparation, especially for those new to the sport. As social media continues to influence perceptions of outdoor activities, Nita is dedicated to fostering a more honest dialogue around mountaineering that prioritises safety and preparation over the allure of summits.

Through her candid approach, Nita hopes that future climbers will be better equipped to navigate the path ahead, both physically and mentally. By shedding light on the less glamorous aspects of climbing, she aims to ensure that others are fully prepared for the challenges that lie in wait on their own adventures.