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Approaching Mt. Adams Summit, August 2006. |
The South Spur Route is the most popular route on Mt. Adams. It is suitable for novice climbers and does not require roped travel, although ice axes and crampons are required. This is a three-day, two-night trip. Hike and climb 14 miles/23 km round trip with 6,700'/2,043m elevation gain. Departures Monday through Wednesday only under the conditions of our special use permit.
Price includes guide(s), round trip transportation, climb permits, climbing equipment, meals, tents.
Scheduled Climbs:
July 14-16, 2010
We can arrange a trip at your convenience given availability of guides. Departures Monday through Wednesday only under the conditions of our special use permit. Sign-up using our secure form, give us a call at 866-936-0916 or send an e-mail.
THE APPROACH:
The trailhead is about 100 miles/167 km from Portland and takes about three hours of driving time. We'll register at the Mt. Adams Ranger Station in Trout Lake and drive to the Cold Springs Campground (5,500'/1,677m).
After sorting out gear and loading up, we hike up an old roadway which enters a basin and emerges as a trail on the left skyline ridge. At 1.2 mi./2 km we cross the Round the Mountain Trail at 6,200'/1,890m. Our route up to Suksdorf Ridge depends on the snow conditions. The main spur is called Suksdorf Ridge, for pioneer botanist Wilhelm N. Suksdorf who began his local visits and studies in 1877. At about 9,000'/2,744m we reach a broad shoulder know as the Lunch Counter.
We camp here. After setting-up camp, we'll practice glissading and self-arrest technique using the ice axe. Following a great dinner, we'll have a climb meeting and ensure all of our gear is ready for the climb. Wake-up will be at 5:00 AM. After breakfast, departure will be around 6:00 AM.
Lunch Counter Camp Photo by Ed Gilman
THE CLIMB:
This climb is a long hike in the snow, which becomes more rocky later in the season. We will move at comfortable, steady pace. The route steepens at about 9,700'/2,957m as we trudge to the 11,657'/3,554m South (False) Summit. We cross a relatively level area and then make the final grunt up to the 12,276'/3,743m Summit. We should summit about Noon. 
After the traditional summit celebration, we return to the crest of the South Summit and typically are able to glissade most of the way back to camp by 3 PM. Once we get back to camp, we'll have a snack and relax until dinner. The next morning, after a great breakfast, we break camp and head back to our vehicle. We should reach the trailhead by Noon. We usually stop for food in Trout Lake (Huckleberry milkshakes - Mmmm) or Husum and get back to Portland by early afternoon.
TWO-DAY CLIMB:
The two-day climb is the same as the three-day, except we break camp and descend on summit day. We have determined that staying another night provides a much better experience and isn't so hard on your body. If time is of the essence, we can do the two day climb for you.
ONE-DAY CLIMB:
The one-day climb starts at the Cold Springs Trailhead at 4 AM and follows the route to the Lunch Counter, then to the summit and return. It's a long day and is for the strong and well-conditioned. The trade-off is that you're not hauling a big pack up to the Lunch Counter and it's just one day. We drive up to Cold Springs Campground the afternoon before, have dinner, and spend the night. We will get-up very early, have breakfast, and begin the climb. This allows us to have a good night's sleep and get an early, relaxed start.
Please call 866-936-0910 to schedule a trip
REQUIRED EQUIPMENT
Backpack*- You need to carry personal and your share of group gear (5,000 cubic inches +)
Clothing
- Leather or plastic (Spring Snow Conditions) climbing boots
- Wool/polypropylene socks with liner socks (2 pair) (help prevent blisters)
- Polypropylene or equivalent thermal underwear tops and bottoms
- Warm sweater, fleece jacket, or wool shirt
- Warm pants (Not Jeans!)
- Gore-Tex (or other water-resistant material) Parka
- Gore-Tex (or other water-resistant material) Wind pants
- Warm hat
- Sun hat
- Gloves/Mittens with windproof shells (2 pair)
- Gaiters to keep scree/snow out of your boots
- Trail shorts and t-shirt
In Your Summit Pack - (Needs to have Ice Ax Loops- Most climbers just use their big pack)
- Whistle
- Map of area
- Compass
- Headlamp/Flashlight (with extra batteries and bulb or another flashlight)
- Extra food and Clothing (wool socks, more warm things)
- Sunscreen and lip protection
- Pocket knifeLighter or matches in waterproof container
- Firestarter
- First aid kit (Let us know if you carry drugs or medicines that will make you drowsy or dizzy.)
- Two and 1/2 Quarts of Fluids (Four on warm days!)
- Toilet Paper
- Small insulation pad for sitting on(tie it to your pack)
- Handkerchief
- Dark Sunglasses with side shields/Goggles (It can be bright and gritty on the mountain
- Camera and Film/Memory Card
Climbing Gear
- Ice Ax*
- Crampons*
- Trekking Poles*
- Helmet*
Camping Gear
- Sleeping Bag
- Sleeping Pad
- Bowl, Cup, and Spoon
- Crazy Creek Style Chair, Camp Shoes, and a Book might be appreciated
*OPA will provide this equipment as appropriate, if you do not have your own, as well as tents, kitchen and food. Your guides will prepare your meals. We can rent packs and other gear to you.
For Equipment Recommendations click here.