NorthWest Ridge on Adams this week? Good Idea?

[Pawkala]

Any help on conditions for this route this time of year would be great.

[mattp]

I have found it quite enjoyable at this time of year. There will be a couple hundred feet of steep, possibly icy snow near the top - in a place where you better not fall but it is fairly short and in reality not more than moderately steep though it will get your attention (as well it should). Be prepared for thousands of feet of rock hopping.

[Fairweather]

I'll have to disagree with Matt - just this once. Unless Matt is alluding to the NW Face of NW Ridge - in that case he's spot-on. The Northwest Ridge itself is a choss pile at any time of year. Bowling-Ball sized rocks - some quite loose. I've never been over to Lava Ridge, but I suspect it might be a bit better. Also, the White Salmon Glacier might be a nice choice if you bring some ice gear. Have fun.

[snodger]

Some pix from last weekend.

 

 

North side/ Lyman gl.

 

White Salmon from horsehoe meadows

 

White salmon closer view

 

 

Klickitat gl

 

 

It was pretty warm on the south side friday night, even with the breeze. It seemed a bit colder saturday night on the north side and we saw some frost on the trail and ice in the edges of creeks. Beautiful time to be up there, have fun if you go.

 

Big photos HERE

Edited October 3, 2006 by snodger

[Fairweather]

Nice pictures! Did you do the entire circumnavigation? How was the XC from Bird Creek Meadows to Avalanche Valley? Big Muddy crossing? I am jealous. I've wanted to do this trip for a long time.

[snodger]

Oh it totally sucked! Stay away! go hike the PCT instead!

 

Unless of course you like seclusion, route finding challenges, and beautiful vistas.

 

The off trail from the Hellroaring overlook to Goat mt. (or is it pk?) is pretty cool, quite the wilderness feel and the views of the glaciers are great. It's pretty staightforward: get through the hellroaring meadows bowl, up and over the Ridge of Wonders, cross about 3 or 4 creeks, none of which were too difficult, heading towards the north end of Goat peak or mountain or whatever its called to where you pick up the trail again.The details are a bit more intensive, with lots of moraines and ridges to cross all while trying to speed along in order to cover enough miles to make the second day reasonable. We left the trailhead late friday, hiked about 45 minutes and crashed, then left @ 7 am on the trail towards bird ck. I think we got to the end of the trail at 8:30 and then took what seemed like way too long to get to the highline trail by 3 pm after which we hoofed for a few more miles before crashing. From there is staight on trail hiking, we estimate it was 21 miles for us on sunday- enough to make the feet hurt but still quite do-able. If I were going to do it again I'd take 3 days, spending one night somewhere along the off trail section where you could explore the Big Muddy drainage and Avalanche Valley, then head over to the area around Devils Garden for more exploration and then spend the last day cranking out the miles back to the car. Shit though, you could spend a bunch of time exploring the west side too... hell i don't know.

 

There's more specific route info if anyone wants it- but it might be funner to wing it and see where you end up.

 

One piece of advice: pack light! mine was 26lb and felt about right.

 

OK thats enough BS, after all this is cascade climbers, not hikers!

[Pawkala]

Thanks for the replys and pics. I have been up Adams a few times but only from the South and East (S. Spur and Mazama). What about the North Ridge (not NW)? Sounds like a choss as well but easier incase it does have some new snow. I understand I approach from Killen Creek...But then where?