2009 DATES: (4 days)

July 18-21
July 25-28

Custom Dates:
Call our office to schedule your climb.

COST: $825


CLIENT TO GUIDE RATIO: 5:1


Climbing Grade: Beginner

With numerous glaciers, tumbling waterfalls, and open alpine forests and meadows sprinkled among lava flows and rim rocks, majestic Mt. Adams is not only the second-highest peak in Washington at 12,276 feet, but also one of the most beautiful climbs around. As a composite volcano Adams resembles Mount Rainer almost as a mirror image and offers similar climbing opportunities, but with more solitude. From our route on the Mazama Glacier we have a close-up view of the jumbled Klickitat Glacier Icefall and unobstructed views of Mount Saint Helens, Mount Rainier, and Mount Hood.

Enjoy the beauty of the Cascades, experience altitude mountaineering, and develop your glacier and snow climbing skills as we climb Mt. Adams, a remote and seldom traveled volcano.Our ascent follows the aesthetic Mazama Glacier to the summit. Depending on conditions, we may also climb the Castle, a prominent sub-peak offering outstanding views. Expect a strenuous climb, offering valuable high altitude experience and beautiful views. Mt. Adams is an excellent training climb for other Cascade volcanoes, Denali, ascents in the Andes, or Aconcagua.

On this climb we will cover:

• Selection and use of personal equipment, ropes, knots & harnesses
  
• Crampon use & snow climbing techniques, ice axe positioning, and self arrest techniques
  
• Roped glacier travel, rope team management, route finding, and crevasse navigation
  
• Hazard assessment including a discussion of objective vs. subjective hazards
  
• Camp construction, camp management, and cold weather camping skills
  
• Discussions will include proper clothing and climbing gear for survival in the high mountains, mountain weather, alpine ecology, avalanche hazard assessment, and Leave No Trace ethics.
  

WEATHER: Like all mountain ranges the weather in the Cascades is unpredictable and can roll in at any time limiting the productivity of your trip. Mountain Madness has no control over the weather and last minute decisions sometimes must be made to save the trip from being completely cancelled. Sometimes waiting for the weather to pass is the best plan of action and it is not unusual to sit in the rain for a few days. It is also possible that the rain may not clear up and traveling to the east side of the mountains to go rock climbing is the best plan.

QUALIFICATIONS: It is not necessary to have previous mountaineering experience for this climb. Your guides will teach you all of the skills necessary to safely ascend Mount Adams. However, this trip is rated strenuous and we can not over emphasize the importance of conditioning. By getting your heart, lungs and legs in top physical condition, you can focus on learning, and enjoy the high mountain environment. It is recommended that you have some camping and hiking experience. Because everyone is required to carry a share of the group’s equipment, be prepared to carry as much as 50 lbs. to base camp.



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Itinerary

Day 1: Drive five hours from Seattle to the trailhead at Bird Creek Meadows (5,600'). The hike to our spectacular high camp at Sunrise Pass (8,350'), between the Mazama and Klickitat glaciers, takes approximately four hours allowing us plenty of time to establish camp, discuss equipment usage and the essentials of glacier travel. We will learn basic climbing skills, ice axe usage, self-arrest, and balance positioning.

Day 2: After an early morning breakfast, we discuss and practice in greater detail the essentials of glacier travel, self-arrest, and crevasse rescue. You have the opportunity to learn or review all the skills necessary to make a safe ascent to the 12,276' summit. We will also have time to discuss in detail the aspects of the climb necessary for safety and efficiency.

Day 3: After an alpine start (~2:00 am) and a quick breakfast, we will be up and on our way toward the summit. Depending on conditions and the pace of the group, it takes five to eight hours to reach the summit. From the top, we have stunning views of the morning sunlight rising above distant peaks. After descending, we will enjoy the afternoon and relax in camp.

Day 4: We break camp and head back to the trailhead. While the guides drive, you will have the chance to rest and to bask in your sense of accomplishment after a truly magnificent weekend.

NOTE ON THE ITINERARY: Although we do our very best to follow the schedule listed, the very nature of climbing in an alpine environment requires flexibility. This itinerary is subject to change due to inclement weather, unsafe route conditions, and other reasons beyond our control.

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