idahoara

I have had concerns with bladder bursts (no, I don't want to be a baby...most of the time) but thankfully have never had an issue. I also just bought the Switch 25+5 pack from Osprey (last year's model), and they have a pretty nifty way of getting around the burst issue. It's actually two packs in one, with the bladder in a totally separate lightweight bladder pack, that is independent of the main compartments of the pack. Sure, it's probably not the most lightweight way to go (although I haven't really noticed the weight). Oh, and one of the pack straps also acts as a bladder hose insulator so you don't get the hose-freeze thing in cold conditions. The pack is also extremely well-organized and fits what seems like a ton of stuff for its size. It's billed as a backcountry ski/snowboard pack, but it's great for light alpine stuff, too. And, if you want to use it for trail running or a super-light adventure, you can just pull the bladder pack out. It holds up to a 3-liter bladder, which is great. I always pack at least an extra Nalgene anyway, but I love being able to hydrate without stopping. Anyway, if you couldn't tell already, I'm a big fan.

Ditto...looking to do Adams on 6/29. Would love current info.

I'm debating the start time issue as well. Some friends, my husband, and I are also trying to make it down to Muir as a trainier for Adams. One thought we had was to try and simulate our start time for Adams (EARLY). However, now the weather at Muir isn't looking so great...so maybe we don't worry about it this weekend!

The more and more I think about it, the more I want to tele. It just sounds too much fun! I don't have my own skis/skins yet, so I'd probably rent some for the weekend, or borrowing my husband's which I think would be much too long. Although, I'm not sure I'm ready to hike to Muir in my tele boots. They are pretty damn comfy, but the Muir is not where I want to push that. I am planning to bring crampons just in case (and to play around with them if the snow is crusty enough). I've never put them on tele boots, though, does that seem to work pretty well?

Hmm...skinning; yet another option. If I tele, I was planning to carry the gear just to get in the hiking training for Adams. Does it seem silly to carry the tele boots + gear, and wear other shoes? Also, did I interpret you correctly to say that the start of the trail is already exposed near Paradise?

I'm hoping to hike to Muir this coming Saturday, as a trainer for Mt. Adams (non-technical south route) at the end of June. I've been there before (last August), but never this early in the spring/summer. It seems like quite a few people take their skis/snowboards this time of year and ride down (which sounds pretty damn amazing), but having never done that before, I have a few questions: do people tend to hike up in their snowboard/ski boots, or hiking boots (I have tele boots and good 'ol hiking boots)? Also, if my main goal is as a trainer for Adams, maybe I should walk down for the training (which doesn't sound nearly as fun as skiing). Thoughts on that? Okay, just a few more questions: - Has anyone felt the need to use crampons on the way to Muir yet this year? - What time have folks generally started up Muir from the parking lot, and what time did they reach the camp? TIA!

Hmm...wish I would have read this thread before last weekend! We just trudged up the Melakwa Lake trail last Saturday and had some fun naviguessing the snow-covered portions (okay just kidding, we did use our map and compass). I can definitely see why it deserves the Bermuda triangle moniker. We didn't make it to the lake, but we did make it to the pass (blanking on the name right now). It was a lot of fun, but a few lessons learned: (1) be a good navigator, (2) maybe it's not the best hike to take your inexperienced friend who just moved from the East coast and wants to do more outdoor stuff.

Thanks for the good tips! Yeah, I think glissading with crampons would be a pretty terrible idea. We hiked up to Muir last year and did okay with the altitude on that trip, and definitely learned that we needed to eat and drink more throughout (and not be afraid to take breaks for food/water/rest).

Dunno if anyone mentioned this yet (or actually if the campground is open?), but it helped us a ton last August to camp at the Cougar Rock campground just below Paradise Much easier to just roll out of the tent and head up to Paradise for an early start. Helps beat the crowds a bit too. We hiked it last August in light hikers and good 'ol hiking boots, and did just fine. Crampons would probably be nice for the earlier season.

I've been a rock climber for many years, and am now starting to get into alpine climbing. As a starting point, I plan to do Adams this year (the non-technical south route -- hopefully in the beginning of July), with my husband, who has more alpine skills and experience than I. So far, we've been doing lots of weekend hiking (as much as possible given the spring snow slog), and lots of hilly walks in Seattle with weighted packs. We are also planning to start some basic strength training this weekend (squats, walking lunges, etc.), and will start adding in some urban stair climbs as well. Other training tips?