Mount Adams winter ascent

[Peter Davidson]

Hello, I am new to the forum and was hoping to get some info on doing a winter ascent of Mount Adams with a ski/snowboard decent. I am wondering what kind of conditions I should prepare for on Adams since I have never done a winter climb. I climbed St Helens this last October so I'm thinking of doing an an ascent of that with my climbing partners as preparation for Adams. I have heard about the long approach and having good map/navigation skills as well as the importance of wanding but what else should I know about?

 

I know Adams is non-technical in the summer but is that also true in the winter or should we prepare to rope in? Also what are the avalanche dangers like in the winter? I do have a friend with avvy 1 training who I am hoping to get in on the climb.

 

Any trip reports that could be helpful to follow would also be appreciated. I know that's a lot but thanks in advance!

[ivan]

you might start w/ a winter ascent on a more accessible volcano like hood as it's closure in height to adams.

 

navigation, avy conditions n' winter camping are the primary skills.

[Water]

ill be a bit of a party pooper and eat any crow served back my way but generally if you're asking some of these questions perhaps you're not yet ready to tackle that objective? your questions are somewhat general and can be answered with basic climbing knowledge and a topo.. maybe learn what makes it a non-technical climb in the summer and extrapolate that to winter conditions you've experienced on another volcano?

 

that said this year may be one of few years mere mortals could get up during the winter, due to lack of significant snow down low--you may be able to drive fairly high.

 

skiing wise if indications on hood and helens are much of anything, things may be pure shit on the southside where the wind and sun left ice, though it could be great corn, I'd guess pretty variable conditions and some sections unrideable

 

fwiw ive maybe only seen 1 or 2? (if that) winter adams ascent TRs [aka this time of year]. I have no doubt its been done a fair bit more than that though.