The South Side route is a high, gentle climb great for beginning climbers who want an overnight trip with fewer people and a more wilderness feel than Hood. There are no crevasses on this route. Be careful if you glissade - a twisted ankle here is a LOT more serious problem than on Hood. Skiers take note: this route can have over a 6,000 foot vertical descent in early season! Ambitious and fit climbers can try this car to car in one day.

Activity Notes

Damn weather.  Once again having to switch it up.

I spoke to the climb rangers.  Cold Springs trailhead is snowed in 1 mile from the trailhead, but we can park to the side and go for a single day push of ~14mi roundtrip and ~7000ft elevation gain.  So it will be similar to Mt. Shasta haha.

The new plan is to meet at early Saturday morning at the Trout Lake ranger station (2455 Hwy 141; Trout Lake, WA 98650) at 4am and we will continue as close as we can to the Cold Springs trailhead.  This will be a smash and grab, so pack light (min. 3L water, lunch/snacks, and clothing to keep yourself warm) and expect to move efficiently.  We will glissade back down as much as possible to save time and we can grab dinner together in Stevenson if we feel up for it.  

This is a non-technical snow travel climb with a few steeper sections.  You MUST be efficient with BCEP skills and pacing.  We will keep a slow but steady pace everyone can handle, but layer breaks will be limited to 60sec, and longer breaks limited to 3 - 4 minutes.  Please keep food, water, and clothing layers within easy reach.

READ THE PROSPECTUS & PRINT THE MAP

Watch the weather

Driving directions from MMC (~2.5hrs)

Carpool signup

Any questions?  Let me know.

Other Information
Driving Distance from Portland 100 miles
Driving Time from Portland 2 hours
Expected Duration Car to car in two or more days
Interesting Features Spectacular Views
Relevant Books Climbers Guide to the Cascade Volcanoes by Jeff Smoot Selected Climbs in the North Cascades by Nelson and Potterfield Cascade Alpine Guide: Columbia River to Stevens Pass by Fred Beckey
Relevant Maps USGS 7 minute series, Mt. Adams West and Mt. Adams East, or USDA Forest Service Mt. Adams Wilderness map Google map https://www.google.com/maps/@46.199593,-121.4982232,14.33z/data=!5m1!1e4
Awards Qualified 16 Major NW Peaks, Guardian Peaks
Useful Links GPS Track New Window Icon Icon two stacked browser windows. GPS Coordinates New Window Icon Icon two stacked browser windows. Map New Window Icon Icon two stacked browser windows.
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