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

This is a good climb for those who are BCEP grads who are ready for a bigger climb and have had some experience on snow climbs.  

Plan to meet at the trailhead at 10am.  We will work our way up to the lunch counter camping zone (5-6 hours) where we will set up camp, filter water and rest for our summit attempt.  Saturday we will get an early start up to pikers peak then make the final journey up to the summit.  After a break and summit photos, we will descend and if conditions allow can make the return and glissade back to camp where we will pack up and head back to the cars.  Given the late season conditions glissading may be minimal.

Climbers should be comfortable traveling with crampons on steepish and icy slopes.  There will be plenty of time to hone those BCEP snow travel skills.  All selected climbers will need to purchase a climbing permit online ahead of time.

More details to follow one the team is selected.

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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