In the shadow of the pyramid: Mount Hood casts perfect triangle shadow on the clouds around its slope as the dawn sun rises




The morning sun hits the peak of an icy mountain - casting a perfect triangle shadow over an endless stretch of cloud.



This stunning image was captured at sunrise on the slopes of Mount Hood near Portland, Oregon, USA.



Biology doctorate student Scott Hotaling, 27, hiked four hours in the dark to the peak of the 4329m-high mountain - and arrived just as dawn broke.



He said: "Standing on the summit of a tall peak at sunrise is one of the greatest moments a person can experience. There is truly nothing else like it.



' As I walked along the ridge the sun crept over the horizon, illuminating the opposite side of the peak.



' The shadow was so large and long that it appears to come to a point in the distance even though the peak itself isn't so uniform.



' I've seen mountain shadows many times and so have plenty of mountain climbers. But getting a good shot of one is something I've been after for quite a while.'



Mount Hood is the tallest peak in Oregon and one of the most popular mountaineering destinations in the Pacific Northwest of the United States. It's iconic shape stands over Portland - the largest city in the state.

