I'm wondering what conditions are likely to be found on Mount Adams in late September / early October of this year. I'm interested in non-technical routes... of course, crampons and ice axe are fine, but I prefer to climb solo and unroped. Naturally, my potential concerns anywhere in the Cascades would be rockfall, icy conditions, crevasse danger, avalanches, and road access.

I climbed Mount Shasta and Mount Hood in the spring last year and both were pretty mellow dayhikes, but neither would have ideal (or even safe) conditions by their standard routes in the fall. Rainier and Baker are not mountains I would like to attempt solo. I'm hoping that Mount Adams might be a viable option. Any other suggestions? Mount Jefferson is probably too difficult. Sisters? McLoughlin?

I soloed Mt. Adams a couple of years back.

I didn't think it was dangerous at all. Rockfall danger is nil.
Crevasses are non-existant on the south side.

Since you're doing it late in year, expect a lot of scree. There's a pretty good climber's trail on the south side, to 9,400 ft. Then comes 2,000 ft of scree. Followeed by a nice climber's trail over last 600 ft to summit.

On east side... crevasses are serious concerns.

Fall weather can be a concern... just don't climb when a storm front is coming in. If the snow starts falling deep, don't get adventerous, head back down.

About ten years ago... there was a particularly early and very wicked fall storm that dumped (several?) feet of snow on Mt. Adams. Three young men were caught in it. I think they decided to camp it out. It was another five years before the snow melted low enough to find their bodies.

Cheers to you!

Mid to Late September is a great time to hit Mount Adams. No crowds. I climbed in in September and loved it. Be mindful of the weather but I think you will have a great trip.

Could somebody comment on South Spur conditions? I plan on dayhiking this route this weekend if the weather holds.

Also, any idea how hard the routefinding will be at night?

Thanks!

I haven't been up recently. But I hiked this area 5 times before, summited once.

But I would expect snow-free conditions most of way up to 9,400 ft.... (to Lunch counter).

I'd expect a GREAT time... the first 2 miles is a nice trail. There are 10-ft tall wooden posts marking the way to the climbers trail for another mile. Then pick up the climber's trail on the west side of the gully and hike another mile or two up. After that, hike over a very safe glacier - as far as you'd like to go.

It should'nt be a problem finding your way down... you should see the terrain quite clearly in the alpine conditions. Just pick up the trail before dark - or you're screwed.

A $15 pass is required if one goes beyound the maintained trail at 6,000 ft. Pick it up at the Trout Lake ranger station.

thexcat wrote:Could somebody comment on South Spur conditions? I plan on dayhiking this route this weekend if the weather holds.

Also, any idea how hard the routefinding will be at night?

Thanks!

Check out my trip report from two years ago on this very time. Good luck with the trip and I hope it helps.

thanks for the advice everyone - sounds like it should be a nice time of year to be up there... if i can get a good weather window - of course, it does sound like more fun with 6000' of corn snow, but i like the idea of potentially having the mountain to myself - now i just have to finish up my work in montana before the snow flies and then it's off to the coast...