climbing mt. adams

[jeremyaw]

I am wanting to climb the south spur route of Adams and was curious as to what the best month or time of year would be to do this? Thanks for any replies

[Bronco]

I've attempted it in May 99 and early Sept 99

 

May 99 - Hike through snow 8 miles to cold springs campground, bivi halfway between cold springs and lunch counter, get up sunday and go for a burger in Trout Lake. Later heard nobody got past Piker's peak because of high winds.

 

Sept 99 - drive to cold springs, hike up to top and back down in time for a burger at Trout Lake.

 

Depending on what you are after for an experience, (just tag the top or overnighter) anytime between now and september should be fun.

[gapertimmy]

do it with snow on it, and then you can have some arse slidin fun! I'd also extend the trip into an overnighter cuz the sunsets are romantic and it gives you the chance to get an early start and avoid the stream of gapers like me

[jeremyaw]

I was thinking of climbing sometime in May and camping out overnight on the mountain. This may be a dumb question but I am an extremely novice climber, having only summitted Mt. Mcloughlin. If I was to set up camp, (at pikers peak I believe) would I leave my tent etc. at the site while I summit then return to camp after reaching the peak?? Thanks for any info, sorry if these seem to be ridiculous questions, I am a beginner.

[Bronco]

Jeremy:

 

It's all about having fun and being safe. Most bivi on the "lunch counter" below pikers peak and leave their bivi gear there while they go make a summit attempt. Like Tim said, the glissade down is one of the best in the cascades.

 

Also - you may want to see if you can get a more experienced climber type to go with you, at over 12,000' bad things happen all the time even on easy terrain.

 

Have fun and be safe.

[rayborbon]

Jeremy,

 

Pikers summit is a mere 20 minute walk (in ideal weather and conditions) barely uphill to the summit.

 

I suggest the lunch counter By the time you hike to Pikers summit you might as well do it in a day instead of camping.

 

[ 04-16-2002, 10:47 AM: Message edited by: rayborbon ]

[jeremyaw]

Thanks for all the info...

[jeremyaw]

Sorry guys one more question. Are crampons necessary the entire route or only nearing the summit? What about snowshoes???

[Highlander]

Depends on the conditions. You should be able to kick steps all the way up w/o crampons. Its not a bad idea to take crampons just in case you encounter an icy section. The route is very low angle and very sloggish.

[rayborbon]

I would take them. I did not need them until I hit Pikers but it was not obvious until you hit that section.

[hikerwa]

Crampons are always a good idea to take with you on adams, never can be sure of the snow/ice conditions. I actually camped below the Lunch Counter right before the hill to the LC, it was nice with some trees around.

 

have fun, be safe, and if you can find someone to go with that has some experience, this makes for a good time to learn some of the techniques you will need for other mountains.

 

sean