Mount Adams South Climb — Sunday, Aug. 1, 2021

Climbed as a day hike, left the TH at 2am, summited at 1pm, descended to TH by 7pm. We were slower than the majority of climbers. 

Equipment - Microspikes, hiking poles, helmet, headlamp, sunglasses, gloves, sturdy boots, waterproof pants, t-shirt, sweatshirt, and waterproof outer shell. Also brought 6 large bottles of water (1 with filter) and lunch. Wished we had brought crampons for the climb and ice axes and trash bags for the glissade descent. There are blue bags at the TH for bathroom needs. 

The trail for the first several miles is fairly easy going. Past Morrison Creek, the route is marked by enormous Posts along the ridge. Easy to pick out with headlamps. The trail is mostly loose rock and sandy material until reaching the enormous snowfield below the lunch counter. The counter itself is snow free. We traveled across it with disregard for the actual location of the trail. It's flat and the rock is mostly well-packed, so we just walked across to the base of the snowfield flowing down from Pikers Peak. 

This snowfield begins at a mild grade that increases quickly until it becomes the steepest part of the ascent so far. It's a vast field and there are many ways up, with boot holes and small craters everywhere. We did not have significant trouble in microspikes, but it would've been easier going in crampons.

The snowfield eventually ends well short of Pikers Peak, at which point is becomes a fairly well defined, though incredibly loose and rocky trail that switchbacks to the peak. I am certain this was the steepest and most challenging part of the climb. Many climbers fell while descending through it and many others sent rocks flying down the slope, one as large as a toaster. Wear a helmet here and be careful where you step. 

We eventually reached the false summit and had a snack in the windbreak at the top. I continued on through the saddle and across the field of ice between Pikers Peak and the summit block. I felt the effects of elevation while climbing to the summit, and had to slow to an incredibly mild pace to keep air in my lungs. However, this portion of trail was undoubtedly easier than Pikers Peak and at this point the summit felt so close that the trail flew by. 

The summit is by now remarkably snow-free. I signed the logbook at the summit house and made sure to visit the true summit and accompanying survey marker. There was running water just a few hundred feet beneath the summit, and many other places along the trail where one could filter water if they chose. In fact, I drank all 6 of my bottles by the time I reached the summit, and filtered 3 more on the way back to the vehicle. 

On the way down, thousands of California Tortoiseshell butterflies began flitting across the slope, from the summit down past Pikers Peak. It was magnificent. A sudden field of orange in an otherwise black and white landscape. I cannot describe how abundant they were. Every step brought dozens more into view. 

The way down is not as difficult as the climb, but more tedious. The sun had by this point softened the snow so that it gave way often underfoot. The glissade chutes were large and clearly well-used, but we didn't have axes or trash bags and simply wound up soaking wet and unable to brake. We mostly boot-skied down. Back out of the snow below the lunch counter, the trail is loose rock and requires somewhat careful foot placement, but was otherwise unremarkable.