Mt. Adams in August?

[jswells]

I'm planning on climbing Mt. Adams for the first time around August 1. I know that snowfall has been fairly heavy in the Cascades this winter. Do you think I will need crampons and an ice axe for August?

Also, a little over a year ago I heard that Mt. Hood Meadows wanted to put a massive ski resort (complete with casino, golf and a chairlift to the summit) on the Yakima Indian Reservation side of Mt. Adams. I certainly hope this never went though. Can anyone update me? Thanks

 

Jerome

[mattp]

You probably won't "need" them, Jerome but coming down, in particular, you may wish you had an axe and, particularly on a cloudy day, you might find an icy snow surface somewhere. If it is nice weather and a weekend, you will climb alongside kids in tennis shoes and climbers carrying an ax and crampons "just in case."

 

In August, there will almost certainly be a trail or ten of good steps to follow or you can largely travel on the rocks where it is steep (few do, because it is kind of a mess).

 

(I'm assuming you are asking about the standard "South Route.")