Linda Jagger

Hello, I will be coming out from Denver to WA, to climb Mt Adams, via the easiest, south spur route, next wk. Has anyone climbed it recently that can give me a report on snow conditions? I assume there is no snow below the lunch counter--is that correct?? Can one camp on the dirt at lunch counter? Is there water there or do you have to melt snow?? Coming down, can one glissade down the "luge shute", or is it mostly melted out?? I hear its pretty hard packed early in the morning going up, is that right?? We plan to bring ice ax and crampons. Is plastic boots the best option?? I know to pick up a permit at Trout Lake, I know the road is washed out on FS 23/90. We plan to take 25-90 to 23 from Randle. How long a drive is it from Seattle??--Im thinking 6hr?? I also heard there is major construction on I5 going ??south??, there's only 1 lane open for traffic--does anyone know where that is. We will be driving down and hiking to Lunch counter on Fri 8/31, climbing sat 9/1 and hiking out that day. Thanks for any info you can give me