RobCleminson

I can confirm it was a little over 2 miles to the TH

Thanks everyone for advice. We had a great weekend and learned a lot, especially how unfit I really was!! We made it to Lunch Counter on day 1 and then to Pikers Peak on Day 2. A combination of a late start(9am) and my condition at the false summit turned us around at 1:30pm to return to our camp. We'll be back again a little fitter next time!! Thanks again Rob

One last post before tomorrow about clothing. This is my first trip up Adams so I'm not too sure about conditions. The weather looks nice this weekend and I plan on wearing/taking the following. 1. Base layers top and bottom 2. Micro Fleece top(TNF100) 3. MH SoftShell(WindProof) 4. Columbia light jacket(waterproof/breathable) 5. Standard lightwight hiking trousers with gaiters. 6. Wool plus Rimmed hats plus ski gloves Can anyone tell me if I'm good with this clothing list? thanks Rob

Hi, looks like we are all set for our start tomorrow morning. Can anyone tell me what time I can reasonably expect to be able to Glisade. I dont want to get up too early from Lunch Counter and find I'm at the top and not able to glisade coz its too hard!! I am assuming around 3-4hrs from lunch counter to the top at a steady pace? Thanks Rob

thanks for the info, I just called the Mountain Shop and they have the Strap-on type. One last question is about the mt adams permit. Where do I get that from on route on Saturday morning? thanks Rob

Hi, I'm planning on climbing the south side of Mt Adams this weekend with my son. We have everything except crampons sorted and had hoped to rent these. Unfortunately the REI rentals wont fit our boots as we just have standard stiff soled boots(which I've used on glaciers in the Alps before with strap-on crampons)http://www.hiking-site.nl/indekijker_raichleblizzardgtx.php I'd like to take crampons for safety but are they necessary for this route and if so does anyone know anywhere in Portland that would rent strap-on type and not clip-on type like the REI ones? last resort is to rent boots/crampons together but I'd prefer to use my own comfortable boots. thanks for any advice Rob

thanks again for more info. can you point me in the right direction for these few iphone maps? thanks Rob

Thanks for all the great info. My only last small question is whether or not I need a thermal sleeping mat for camping at altitude. I've only ever camped at much lower elevations on airbeds or simple foam sleeping mats. Should I consider buying a thermal mat or will my cheapo bluefoam mats be fine? Now time to plan and look for that weather window. We're aiming for the first or last weekend in July. thanks Rob

Matt, thanks for the prompt and informative reply :-) Your advice is what I was hoping for, I just wanted to get someone to confirm what i thought I might do anyway. With regards point 1, is it doable to drive up early on a Saturday morning from Portland, find parking and start the hike around 8am or should I get up there on a friday afternoon/evening and camp at the trail head? Not too sure how crowded it will be. Will the lunch counter likely be covered in snow or will I be camping on stone? I assume we'll need sleeping mats either way and if so do I need anything special to keep warm on the snow. My bag is a 20* bag and my sons is 35*. I've never camped at altitude and my son and I are excited to do this. Just bought a nice REI half dome+ in the sale. I'm sure we can follow the tracks but will also take a map and compass, thanks for the pointer about REI, I've got one where I work so will go find that map. thanks Rob

Hi I'm new to this forum and the Pacific North West, having relocated from the UK a year ago to the Portland area. I've had a little experience climbing/hiking in the Swiss Alps on a glacier at around 11,500 ft but when I did that I was with an experienced climber the first time and with a friend the 2nd. My last trip I was with a friend and due to our in-experience we had trouble descending a very steep ice slope(Long story but the year before I took Crampons and kept tripping over in deep snow, this particular year I did not take crampons and... well I could have done with them!!) We slipped whilst descending roped together and I fell head over heal for about 200ft - I was very lucky to stand up and hobble away with a damaged ankle and scraped up arm. The above experience shook me up badly. I'm now ready to get back onto a mountain and wanted to hike Mt Adams South Route with my son this summer. I like to plan things carefully and wanted anyones advice on a few things for my planned Mt. Adams hike. 1. We want to hike from the trail head and spend the night at Lunch counter and then climb to the summit the following morning. Can anyone tell me what time of day I should leave the trail head to make it to lunch counter in time to setup camp/cook etc. Also, what time is good to leave lunch counter? 2. Will a 35* sleeping bag be warm enough in July up at Lunch Counter? 3. Which map is best to buy for this climb and would anyone recommend taking a GPS unit? Also, will my AT&T iphone get a signal so that I can use the gps tracking on that? I plan on watching the weather very carefully and trying to time our trip when we have a few days of good weather forecast as we'd like to enjoy some sunshine and great views hopefully. Any advice would be great appreciated thanks Rob