_J STownsle y .com    ₃₂₂

Name: Mt Adams - South Spur
Date: Aug 11 & 12th, 2006
Height: 12,276 feet
Location: 15 miles north of Trout Lake, Washington
Route: South Climb Trail #183
Length: 11.4 miles round-trip
Elevation Gain: 6,676 FT
Partner: Josh Townsley

Josh and I spent Friday and Saturday climbing on Mt. Adams this past week. We started at Cold Springs Campground (5,600′) just outside of Trout Lake in Washington and camped at “Lunch Counter” some 3,650′ feet higher. We both had mild headaches from the elevation, but sleeping at 9,250′ helped because the following morning we were both fine.

The climb to the summit from Lunch Counter is a chore but we made the 3,026′ climb in good time. The abandoned miner’s cabin at the peak of the mountain is more exposed than I’ve ever seen it, but surprisingly there was very good glissading down from Piker’s Peak. Maybe 2,000′ vertical feet. Soft and fast.

We were down at the car maybe 3 hours after standing on the summit.

I learned a few things this trip:
- If you are going to leave your tent at home to save on weight, bring the bivvy sack.
- Chocolate Gu tastes like icing and Vanilla Bean Gu looks and tastes like motor oil.
- Bring a book if you know you’ll have several hours of downtime.
- Sunscreen lotion may not work well if it is old.

View the rest of the pictures here, or watch a slideshow.