ashish

I will be in Portland, OR from Oct 14-16. I am planning to get in a snow climb. I have listed the options below in the order of preference. I will most likely be solo. I am familiar with mountain axe and crampons, but not very familiar with glacier travel skills. Please let me know if here is anything I need to look for especially around mid-October. 1. Mt. Adams – South side standard snow route. 2. Mt. Hood – South slopes/hogsback standard route. 3. Middle Sister - Collier/Hayden/Irving/Renfrew glacier. 4. Mt. Rainier – up to Camp Muir only. Any info will be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Thanks again Sobo and thanks Feck and Seamstress. This is very valuable info about conditions and safety since it is my first trip out to the Pacific NW. I usually go to colorado to feed my hunger for the outdoors. Now I have some options that I feel comfortable about. And yes Seamstress, slogging up snow is what I dream about everyday down here in hot as hell Houston

Thanks a lot Sobo. That really helps. However, I am not familiar with the terminology "mule routes". Do you mean the standard/easiest snow routes? for example - soutside/hogsback on Hood?

I am a Houstonion. Looking for climbs within 5 hours from Portland or Seattle between September and November. I am a reasonably experienced hiker but novice climber looking to get some mountaineering experience. I will most likely be climbing solo, therefore, looking easy to moderate snow climbs (<45 degrees) or glaciers without much crevasse danger. I do not have glacier travel skills. My skills are limited to axe and crampons. Any ideas will be greatly appreciated. I have found some options I thought were reasonable, but not sure how they are in fall season. Hayden Glacier: http://www.summitpost.org/north-ridge-v ... ier/155622 Hyas Creek Glacier: http://www.summitpost.org/hyas-creek-gl ... all/155582 Colchuck Glacier: http://www.summitpost.org/colchuck-glacier/162204