Mt Adams Climb
Keith at work invited Redington and I to climb Mt Adams in the 18th and 19th of June. Understand that Redington considers any hike a Death March. Consequently I was surprised (shocked)that Redington was interested in the climb.
Mt Adams is part of the Cascades located in Southern Washington state. It is 12,270 ft (3751 meters) with numerous Glaciars and snowfields. Consequently Redington and I rented boots, crampons, and ice axes for the the climb. (Permits required)
Map of Portland and Mt Adams
We carpooled with Keith to the trailhead at 5,600 feet. We started the climb around 11:00 AM. There were eight of us pictured below. The weather outlook was uncertain so we left knowing we may have to turn around. It has been a wet summer in the Northwest this year. (Remember to click on the pictures for a bigger/clearer version)
The group of 8 ready to ascend the mountain (L-R): Sheldon, Bruce, Allan, Keith, Alice, Carol, Doug, Redington.(photo Bruce Holm)
Mt Adams from the trail
The Redington and Doug pause for refreshment
Redington, Doug, and Keith (front to back)(photo Bruce Holm)
Lunch break (photo Bruce Holm)
Redington leads the climb up the swithcbacks.(photo Bruce Holm)
After an hour or two Sheldon got altitude sickness and had to turn back with his dad (Bruce). The rest of us pushed up the switchbacks for the steep climb to lunch counter where we would spend the night.
There was not much time for picture taking on the way up the mountain and Bruce the expedition photographer had to return with his son.
The final ascent to lunch counter was a very steep snow and ice field where we kicked in steps and climbed about a thousand feet as if it were a long staircase. Redington climbed very strongly and was consistently near the lead. He indicated he was tired only once.
The False Summit from Lunch Counter The route to the top!
Lunch Counter is a ridge of basalt with small knee-high rock shelters built by previous climbers for shelter against the prevailing west winds. The west-faces of the walls were still ominously plastered with ice and snow from the night before. Given the clouds and wind it wasn't certain we would get the same treatment this night. If your click on the picure above and look carefully, you can see other climbers on their way up or down the mountain and some glissading trails.
Filtering Water from Snow for the Next Day
The first order of business was melting snow and filtering for water for the next day as well as setting up the tent.
Keith (our intrepid leader), Alan and Alice (seated) at our camp on Lunch Counter
Next to us Keith, Alice, Alan, Alice, and Carol were camped. As the sun went down it got much colder.
View to the SW toward Trout Lake
The views were spectacular.
Doug setting up Camp
Redington
Redington and the False Summit
Mt Hood from Lunch Counter
Unfortunately we got up in the morning to snow, mist, and 25mph winds and 100 ft of visibility. The wind and mist made it very cold and Keith decided to call it off and head down the hill. It was hard to argue given the prospects of fresh ice on the summit and no ability to see if the weather would get worse.
The climb down was uneventful though we lost the trail briefly due to the poor visibilty. My GPS came in handy arbitrating the proper direction.
Mt Adams is part of the Cascades located in Southern Washington state. It is 12,270 ft (3751 meters) with numerous Glaciars and snowfields. Consequently Redington and I rented boots, crampons, and ice axes for the the climb. (Permits required)
Map of Portland and Mt Adams
We carpooled with Keith to the trailhead at 5,600 feet. We started the climb around 11:00 AM. There were eight of us pictured below. The weather outlook was uncertain so we left knowing we may have to turn around. It has been a wet summer in the Northwest this year. (Remember to click on the pictures for a bigger/clearer version)
The group of 8 ready to ascend the mountain (L-R): Sheldon, Bruce, Allan, Keith, Alice, Carol, Doug, Redington.(photo Bruce Holm)
Mt Adams from the trail
The Redington and Doug pause for refreshment
Redington, Doug, and Keith (front to back)(photo Bruce Holm)
Lunch break (photo Bruce Holm)
Redington leads the climb up the swithcbacks.(photo Bruce Holm)
After an hour or two Sheldon got altitude sickness and had to turn back with his dad (Bruce). The rest of us pushed up the switchbacks for the steep climb to lunch counter where we would spend the night.
There was not much time for picture taking on the way up the mountain and Bruce the expedition photographer had to return with his son.
The final ascent to lunch counter was a very steep snow and ice field where we kicked in steps and climbed about a thousand feet as if it were a long staircase. Redington climbed very strongly and was consistently near the lead. He indicated he was tired only once.
The False Summit from Lunch Counter The route to the top!
Lunch Counter is a ridge of basalt with small knee-high rock shelters built by previous climbers for shelter against the prevailing west winds. The west-faces of the walls were still ominously plastered with ice and snow from the night before. Given the clouds and wind it wasn't certain we would get the same treatment this night. If your click on the picure above and look carefully, you can see other climbers on their way up or down the mountain and some glissading trails.
Filtering Water from Snow for the Next Day
The first order of business was melting snow and filtering for water for the next day as well as setting up the tent.
Keith (our intrepid leader), Alan and Alice (seated) at our camp on Lunch Counter
Next to us Keith, Alice, Alan, Alice, and Carol were camped. As the sun went down it got much colder.
View to the SW toward Trout Lake
The views were spectacular.
Doug setting up Camp
Redington
Redington and the False Summit
Mt Hood from Lunch Counter
Unfortunately we got up in the morning to snow, mist, and 25mph winds and 100 ft of visibility. The wind and mist made it very cold and Keith decided to call it off and head down the hill. It was hard to argue given the prospects of fresh ice on the summit and no ability to see if the weather would get worse.
The climb down was uneventful though we lost the trail briefly due to the poor visibilty. My GPS came in handy arbitrating the proper direction.
Comments