Garet Posted July 7, 2009 Share Posted July 7, 2009 Are there any peaks worth the effort in late August? I was thinking of taking a newbie friend up Mt. Adams but I am re-thinking. Is Adams dangerous without snow like Hood's circus route would be? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TMO Posted July 7, 2009 Share Posted July 7, 2009 I have been up Adams twice in August and it seemed great, North Ridge and South route. Doesn't have the rockfall hazard of Hood! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garet Posted July 7, 2009 Author Share Posted July 7, 2009 sweet, thanks buddy. Which do you recommend? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattp Posted July 7, 2009 Share Posted July 7, 2009 I like the (relatively neglected) NW Ridge on Mt. Adams, though it does have over a thousand feet on talus that is vaguely loose and you could crush a finger when the boulders shift. Â It offers great views the entire way and a couple hundred feet of exciting steep snow climbing at the top that has enough exposure to be very exciting but is very manageable for a party of mixed abilities if the leader has much guiding savvy. From an attractive timberline camp well served by trail it is straight up and down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TMO Posted July 7, 2009 Share Posted July 7, 2009 Garet, Â I must say that I really enjoyed the North Ridge route. It affords a solitude that just isn't possible on the standard route. We had both the high camp and the route to ourselves. That being said- it is plain and simple a choss pile! I enjoyed it none the less... probably because we did the first half while it was still dark, daylight showed the gravity defying choss ridge. Have fun on whatever route you choose! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Le Piston Posted July 7, 2009 Share Posted July 7, 2009 If you aren't just limited to glacier climbs, I've always liked taking people to Sahale, Ruth, Ingalls, and South Early Winters Spire for their first tastes of alpine climbing. I've also done Baker in August and think it is far prettier than Adams. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dgleighton Posted July 14, 2009 Share Posted July 14, 2009 If you aren't just limited to glacier climbs, I've always liked taking people to Sahale, Ruth, Ingalls, and South Early Winters Spire for their first tastes of alpine climbing. I've also done Baker in August and think it is far prettier than Adams. Â The south side of Baker can be pretty broken up in late August and the bergschrund near the crater create some problems that time of year. Â If Ruth sounds like it could be a possibility add Icy Peak to it. In August Ruth can be a smooth day and Icy will add some 3rd/4th class scrambling. Â Headed up there this weekend. Â Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bishopp66 Posted July 14, 2009 Share Posted July 14, 2009 Don't do Adams south route too late. The snow will be melted out and the scree field up to the flase summit is terrible. I did it last year and we almost turned around it was so bad. We ended up making it, but it was not fun. Coming down sucked too. Do it when there is snow... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
t_rutl Posted July 14, 2009 Share Posted July 14, 2009 If you aren't just limited to glacier climbs, I've always liked taking people to Sahale, Ruth, Ingalls, and South Early Winters Spire for their first tastes of alpine climbing. I've also done Baker in August and think it is far prettier than Adams.  I agree...Sahale would be a great choice for a first timer...I had never been but the Sahale Arm/Glacier route had a good rep for that...took a good buddy out who had never worn a pack before and he loved it and managed quite easily...Eldo would also be a fun one in August...Shuksan might be a bit more of an undertaking but good nonetheless  anyway you go though enjoy!!  The south side of Baker can be pretty broken up in late August and the bergschrund near the crater create some problems that time of year.  what? you mean like this??  but i'll second that...the Easton is a fun one into August Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KaskadskyjKozak Posted July 15, 2009 Share Posted July 15, 2009 I like the (relatively neglected) NW Ridge on Mt. Adams, though it does have over a thousand feet on talus that is vaguely loose and you could crush a finger when the boulders shift. Â It offers great views the entire way and a couple hundred feet of exciting steep snow climbing at the top that has enough exposure to be very exciting but is very manageable for a party of mixed abilities if the leader has much guiding savvy. From an attractive timberline camp well served by trail it is straight up and down. Â Having just come down the N ridge, I have to ask - is the NW ridge the total opposite, because the N ridge was pretty unpleasant to descend, and I'd hate to ascend it. Folks still do it (the N ridge), but you are the first person I have seen recommend the NW ridge. That could be a bonus (waaaay off the beaten path - we saw 3 people ascending the N ridge on a TUESDAY). Â BTW, does the NW ridge have any sort of trail at all? Â Â Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattp Posted July 16, 2009 Share Posted July 16, 2009 Years ago I had several friends who also liked the NW Ridge. All of them with backpacking backgrounds. Recently I have not heard anybody else to think much of the route. I guess the times have changed -- because the ridge hasn't. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garet Posted July 20, 2009 Author Share Posted July 20, 2009 All good stuff. Thanks to everyone for their input! NW Ridge may take it. Although a change of venue may be in order as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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