I just signed up for a Mt. Rainier DC climb with IMG for next August 2012. Our climb in Tues-Friday. On Tuesday we meet at IMG at 2pm to do a gear check and meetings. Wednesday-Friday are the actual climb. We plan to fly into Seattle on Saturday, which would give us Sat-Mon and half a day Tuesday of free time. We want to get in one more climb BEFORE Mt. Rainier. To me, Sunday seems like the best day for this. We would have Monday & Tuesday to rest since Tuesday is gear check and meetings. One idea was the south spur route on Mt. Adams. We want to do it in one day since we won't have any overnight gear besides a sleeping bag. Do you guys think this is too big of a mountain to hit 3 days before we hike Rainier? We want to do something to move and stretch our legs a bit before the big show. If not Adams, do you guys have any recommendations for something we can do before Rainier? We are coming from NY and thought Adams would help acclimatize a bit.

No, I don't think thats at all unreasonable. That said, It really is a personal choice. If you think you have trained enough and are ready for Rainier than Adams shouldn't be a problem and it shouldn't leave you wasted before your Rainier climb. Also, one day at 12k is hardly enought to acclimate. Again, It's up to you. Adams is a cool mountain in an interesting setting. If your feeling strong enough to knock it out before Rainier than go for it!

Oh C'mon man. After doing a 4 day climb up Mount Logan, then the next day I climbed Vesper, then I climbed Rainier right afterwards. The only problem was that my feet were quite shredded by that point if you know what I mean. After Rainier I rested for a few days which I was amazed to see how much stronger I was. 2 days it plenty time my friend. I wish that I had 1 day of rest before doing it.

But then again, I climb a lot of mountains! I say go for it!

Once you are acclimatized to the elevation, you should have an edge on obtaining your goal.

When I climbed Rainier in 1984, I had been pounding the pavement in Tacoma and Puyallup, and my lungs paid for it in the end. You gotta work up to it, and
take advantage of any fair weather windows that MIGHT come your way.

My $0.02: The south side of Mt Adams is a long drive from Seattle, especially to do another stratovolcano. Consider something with a different character like Colchuck Peak, Dragontail Peak, or Mt Stuart. These steep, jagged, granite peaks have a decidedly alpine flavor and yet all have reasonable routes to the summit. Beware the Colchuck Glacier (no crevasses) can be very icy in late season though, and people have fallen to their deaths on it. The approch is pretty easy for the Cascades and weather is often better in that part of the Cascades as well.

ExcitableBoy is right, it IS a long drive to Mt. Adams.

Do like they do in marathons... and long distance bike races... don't exercise two days before your big race. The sudden stop in training, causes your body to build up excessive reserves and makes you stronger on race day. I've seen too many young suckers push themselves right up to race day - and perform poorly.

Sunday is three days before your climb, so it is reasonable to do a small climb to stay in shape. Adams is not a "small climb". Pick a lesser mountain.

An even smaller climb on Monday might be benefital.

Be fresh and ready on your climb day. Don't push your luck!

If I was flying from the East Coast, I'd do it. Did Shasta in a day, like 7400 ft gain and a pretty bad route of scree as well. I survived but my calves were more soar than usual. You should be pretty much recovered by 2 days though. Errr I am.

But yeAH KEEP THE DRIVE in mind. Ignore the caps.

I know it's tempting to try to bag as many peaks as possible when you're flying in from the east coast. You may be fine doing it. Just a thought however - if you're going on a guided trip you will probably be going with several other people who you don't know, and the guides are going to set the pace. If the other guys are fresh, and you're still a little tired from climbing Adams, your group may be the ones holding back the entire team. Personally, I hate being the slowest person on a rope team. The fact that you just did another climb or are nursing an injury or whatever only goes so far in explaining why you need a break or can't keep up the pace, especially with people who aren't your regular climbing partners and don't know how strong you normally are.

Altitude should not be a problem. Adams is pretty much a good day trip.

As those above say. Logistics between the two mountains will be the challenge.

It's a good test run for your boots, socks, gear, etc. Plus a really nice mountain.

What other mountains would you guys suggest for our longer Sunday hike and also a quick little hike we can do on Monday? I didn't realize how far Mt. Adams was from Seattle.

mambwe wrote:What other mountains would you guys suggest for our longer Sunday hike and also a quick little hike we can do on Monday? I didn't realize how far Mt. Adams was from Seattle.

You have a lot of options within a one to three hour drive of Seattle:

Listed in order of distance from Seattle:

Mt Si (8 miles RT, ~3,800 ft elevation gain
Granite Mt, right off of I-90 near Snoqualmie pass is a really nice 9 mile RT, ~4,500 ft elevaton gain hike with a fire lookout on top that affords nice views.
Mt Snoqualmie
Mt Stuart via Cascadian Couloir is the easiest route to the top of this incredible peak but still requires 8,000 ft elevation gain RT
Colchuck Lake - simply stunning views and access to really neat peaks
Hannegan Peak (outstanding views of Mt Shuksan, Baker, and the incomparable Picket Range (Feathered Friends uses the Picket Range syline as their logo)
Mt Ruth - While I have seen Corgis (the dogs with short legs) summit this, it does involve easy glacier travel and ice axe and crampons are neccessary. Same views as Hannegan Peak - breathtaking.

FWIW regardless of how many times I have climbed the Big R, it always feels like a big deal and the only hike I want to do afterwards is towards a cold beer, a warm bath, and a soft bed. YMMV.

Follow Excitable Boy's advice.

That drive to Adams is a pain, either via the Columbia River or down through the dirt backroads south of Morton.

EB is right (as usual).

I climbed Mt St Helens as a warm up for Rainier. Long drive, but I gave myself a spa day in Seattle in between to rest and get my feet right...

Why not try something on the North Side of Adams? It's not all that far from Paradise or the South side of Rainier. The North Ridge, while being a huge choss pile, requires no ropes or crevasse travel.

You could try something on the north side of Rainier, like Liberty Ridge.

If you survive that, you could have two extra spa days in Seattle. Forget Adams, you can do it next time!