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

Adams South Side route is a great climb for folks with BCEP level skills who are looking for something a little bigger.  There will be snow camping, glissading, and you will need to be comfortable on steepish snow/ice slopes (ice axe/crampon use).  

Currently the road from Morrison Creek Camp to Cold Springs is closed.  If it does not open by 6/4, we will start the climb at Morrison Creek TH which adds about 3 miles and 1000 feet.  The climb to the Lunch Counter will be about 5,000 feet.  Please be physically prepared to climb with a full pack.  My typical pace is 1,000 feet/hour until we get over ~10,000 feet.

We will start around 7am on Wednesday and camp at the Lunch Counter.  The afternoon will be spend making camp, melting water and getting rest for the summit day.  Thursday will be a 4am start for the summit.  The descent hopefully will include 2-3000 feet of glissading on the way back to the lunch counter.  We will pack up and head to the cars.  

Each climber will be responsible for purchasing their own permit from recreation.gov for $20.  Each vehicle will require a NW Forest Pass.  

More details to come when the climb team is selected. I am still in need of an assistant, so let me know if you you are willing to assist!

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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