May 28, 2005, Mt. Adams
5/28/05
WA Cascades West Slopes South (Mt Rainier)
3158
1
Arrived at Cold Springs during the night & began our ascent at 6 am. The South Climb trail was more mud than snow for the first couple miles. Spectacular sunrise with clear views of Mt. Hood, Mt St Helens and beyond. A cool breeze kept us from overheating during the entire climb. The snow was consolidated but not icy below Lunch Counter. Sun cups are just starting to form.
As the snow warmed up between 10 and noon, there was some post-holing above lunch counter, but not too bad. There were about 25-40 people ahead of us. I think most of them went down the SW Chutes. We chose to ski down the South Climb route. There were very few tracks above Lunch Counter and the snow was just right for some fast, easy turns. Below Lunch counter it was fairly sticky & slow. We returned to the trailhead about 3:30.
Aside from a terrific day of climbing and skiing, the most remarkable thing about this weekend was the shocking number of climbers on the mountain. There must have been about a hundred cars in the Cold Springs parking lot and nearby when we left on Saturday afternoon.
As the snow warmed up between 10 and noon, there was some post-holing above lunch counter, but not too bad. There were about 25-40 people ahead of us. I think most of them went down the SW Chutes. We chose to ski down the South Climb route. There were very few tracks above Lunch Counter and the snow was just right for some fast, easy turns. Below Lunch counter it was fairly sticky & slow. We returned to the trailhead about 3:30.
Aside from a terrific day of climbing and skiing, the most remarkable thing about this weekend was the shocking number of climbers on the mountain. There must have been about a hundred cars in the Cold Springs parking lot and nearby when we left on Saturday afternoon.
welcome, jim! good report - thanks for the info.
-s
-s
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