Drove down Friday night, the road leading South out of Randle is rough but passable. Campground was crowded with people parking down the road. Plenty of noise to bring earplugs and an eyemask if you plan on making an early start.
First 1.5 miles of the trail is soft, clear and lovely, after that you hit intermittent snow. Campsites can be found starting at Crescent Glacier, almost all have a reasonable wind wall. The mountain was BUSY.
Saturday night was extraordinarily windy up on Lunch Counter, guy out your tent.
Didn't need crampons until starting the ascent from Lunch Counter, an early start will pay off! The wind really started ripping at the saddle before the summit. The shack at the top was only exposed a little bit. Views of Hood and Rainier from the top; Hood, Jefferson and Helens on the way up (Helens was covered in clouds by the time we were at the summit.
Glissade chutes were FAST in the morning, do not attempt without an ice axe in the morning. Any wear your helmet, a few of the chutes are really deep and I knocked my head a few times on the rim. You can glissade for almost all of your snow-covered descent, including below Lunch Counter down into the glacier - just don't tear your pants.
Comments
chriswu on Mount Adams South Climb
Is there any running water on this route?
Posted by:
chriswu on Jul 16, 2020 08:53 AM
Erinn C on Mount Adams South Climb
Very little running water, trickling stream really, and only at the lower elevations. We melted snow at Lunch Counter. Plan to pack the water you need or melt snow.
Posted by:
Faerovia on Jul 16, 2020 10:15 AM