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 single day, car-to-car Mt. Adams climb. It requires the participants to have high endurance, ability to climb about 1000' an hour, and do that for 7 hours...

The preference will be given to BCEP/ICS graduates and active Mazamas volunteers. 

Rough Schedule:

Saturday

  • Evening: Drive to Cold Springs Trailhead, have a nap.

Sunday

  • 3 AM: Start climbing
  • 7 AM: Arrive at Lunch Counter
  • 9 AM: Arrive at Pikers Peak (false summit)
  • 10 AM: Summit
  • 11 AM: Head back
  • 4 PM: Return to the trailhead

Notes:

A climbing permit is required if traveling above 7000’. Passes to climb Mt. Adams are available online at www.recreation.gov/activitypass/mt- adams-climb. There is limited cell phone coverage in the Trout Lake area. Please plan ahead and purchase/print your passes ahead of arrival.

The permit must be always carried on your person AND be placed in the windshield of your vehicle. Print two copies or have one downloaded on your phone and one printed in your vehicle.

Skills required for this climb: Snow travel, crampon techniques, using ice axe for self-arrest and glissading

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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