The Northwest Slope is the standard mountaineering route on Mount Dana and is widely described in climbing and hiking references for the peak. It is a non-technical alpine ascent on loose volcanic talus and scree, with route-finding becoming more important higher on the mountain. The route is typically climbed from the Tioga Pass area, gaining the broad northwest flank to the summit ridge. Conditions can include lingering snowfields early in the season, which may increase difficulty and exposure. The main objective hazards are loose rock, altitude, and weather, rather than technical climbing. It is generally considered the easiest established way to the summit, but still a serious high-elevation mountain outing.
