[TR] Mt Adams - Adams Glacier Headwall "Ice Extension" (IV, AI3+, 55 deg snow) 06/09/2019

[erichardson]

Trip: Mt Adams - Adams Glacier Headwall "Ice Extension" (IV, AI3+, 55 deg snow)

Trip Date: 06/09/2019

Trip Report:

@nkimmes and I climbed a variation of the Adams Glacier Headwall "Ice Extension" June 8-9. First ascent by  @wayne and @YocumRidge July 4, 2011. 

Approach was straightforward from Killen Creek TH. Open air bivy at 7,000'. Minor glacier travel with little to no crevasse danger to base of the route. A long, moderate snow slope began at about 9000'. Some rock and ice fall as the sun hit the cliffs on the upper headwall. We solo'd a short WI2 pitch on the left side of the lowest cliff band at 10,400'. The WI3+ pitch began at just below 11,000'. In this case it climbed in one 60m pitch to the upper snow slope. Ice was a bit thin in spot but took 10 and 13cm screws well. From there we ascended a bit more to the rime at the base of the upper cliffs. We checked for an exit to the right but this is a no go. As mentioned in the FA report, the traverse to the left is sketchy with hardly any pro (hollow screws and some makeshift rimy/snow horns that I chopped out and slung). Unfortunately, the AI4 pitch in the left corner looked nothing like 2011, and was mostly rotten rock. Instead, we opted to traverse all the way left to the spine which divides the headwall from the next snow ramp over. We solo'd this to 11,800'. From there it's a long flat slog to the summit.

We had initially planned a ski descent of the nf of the nw ridge. However, we watched another skier drop in and climb back up after about 1,000'. He joined us on the summit to report that it was completely bulletproof. We opted for plan b and found cruiser corn all the way down the north ridge to our bivy. 13 hours camp to camp.

 

View of Rainier from the bivy.

Ascent in red. Descent in blue.

Solo'ing the WI2 pitch.

Approaching the base of the WI3+ pitch.

First moves of the pitch.

Noah following the ice pitch.

Route zoomed in. We actually stayed more left on the snow slope.

Sketchy traverse.

Summit!

S
 

Noah on the ski descent.

Gear Notes:
2x10cm, 4x13cm & 1x17cm ice screws; 2-3 pickets

Approach Notes:
Approached from Killen Creek TH.

[Kameron]

That's really cool. Seems like not many folks go up the Stormy Monday direction. It looks like Stormy Monday was in pretty damn good ski condition when you were there, too!

[DPS]

I love that side of Adams. 

Edited June 27, 2019 by DPS