SEASIDE – It is one of Oregon’s most recognized landmarks and Mt. Hood is now the focus of a new book “On Mt Hood: A biography of Oregon’s Perilous Peak.” It’s author, Portland free-lance writer Jon Bell will be signing copies of the book at 7 p.m. at the Seaside Public Library Jan. 19. Bell spokes with us via email this week.

SIGNAL: What prompted you to write this book?

After reading “The Measure of a Mountain” by Bruce Barcott, which is all about Rainier, and exploring Mount Hood through camping, hiking and climbing I liked my wife’s idea that I should write about Mount Hood.

There was no other book out there like it, so there was a void to fill.

SIGNAL: What has been the most surprising reaction you’ve had since the book has been out?

Everyone seems to have his or her own connection with or story about the mountain. (I skied there, my college roommate used to work there, I climbed it in the 40s, etc.) In the book, I reference a memorial plaque on the north side that was put there to honor some climbers who were killed in 1981. A woman from Bend was one of the people who had put the plaque in place because her husband had been one of the climbers killed. She shared her story with me and then asked me to sign a book for her to give to her son, who was 10 years old at the time of the accident. She and her son had been waiting for the climbing party to return down at Cloud Cap campground. It’s been pretty affecting to make those kinds of connections with people I’ve never met and at the same time have something kind of in common with them.

SIGNAL: What is it about Mt. Hood that captures people’s attention?

There’s something universally attractive about it simply in the way it looks. It’s a textbook, beautiful snowy mountain that you can’t help but be arrested by when you see it for the first time or when you get a particularly spectacular view of it. The mountain grabs people’s attention in different ways and for different reasons. Skiers love it for the snow, hikers for the trails and vistas, climbers for the summit and the routes up it, etc. Hood also has a great history about it, what with its role in Native American lore, Timberline Lodge and Cloud Cap Inn, the Barlow Trail, and so much more. It really is an engaging mountain.

SIGNAL: If Mt. Hood could talk for itself.. what would it tell us?

That’s a tough one. Maybe, tread lightly. Enjoy, be careful and wise. Remember that this is the only Mount Hood in the world.

Once people see how amazing this mountain is, how important it is, how beautiful it is, there won’t be any doubt about the need to protect it.