Mt Adams 2015 – Take 2 (Erin’s PNW Volcano Debut)
The best place to view fireworks on 4th of July is from a volcano. (we’ve stuck with this plan 3 years in a row – year 1 year 2)
Within a few days of moving to Seattle, my college roommate Erin asked if it was crazy for her to climb a volcano some day. I of course told her that it was entirely possible, and invited her on a volcano trip over 4th of July weekend. After a few hours of ‘Volcano Climbing 101’ in Gasworks Park, I sent her home with a practice rope and some prussik cord, and she had the ropes skills mastered soon after. Geez, doctors learn fast.
Volcano Session 101 – Learning the ropes in gasworks park! We definitely got a few weird looks.
Our original plan was to climb Mt. Hood (Ely and I climbed it with our friend Brad over 4th of July weekend in 2013), since it was one of the remaining volcanos on our “to-climb” list of the season. We had a trip-planning meeting at the Stumbling Monk (with some tasty Belgian ales), and we discussed the recent reports of rock fall in Pearly Gates. We decided we were okay with our plan as long as we planned to summit by sunrise. Needless to say, Saturday morning rolled around and while packing Ely and I discussed our plan (now with some new info on weather/freezing temps and rockfall concern). I called Erin and proposed Plan B – Mt Adams. She agreed, and mentioned more than once how ridiculous it was that our backup plan for Volcano A was Volcano B (the PNW is ridiculous). Still amazing scenery, less risk, more relaxed schedule, a better campsite for wine and sparklers (Lunchtop Counter), and likely a better first-volcano-experience for Erin.
Mt Adams at Sunset
We left Seattle around one, got to Cold Springs by 5:00ish, and hiked up the South Spur route to Lunchtop Counter. Before sunset, we found an epic campsite with views of Mt. St Helens, Mt Hood, and Jefferson. We shared some wine, lit some sparklers, and had ourselves a lovely 4th of July.
Sunset from our camp. Not bad!
Sparklers on Mt Adams. It was 4th of July, afterall!
The night sky – the star-viewing was better than the fireworks-viewing
We wanted to get an early start on the route (partly to avoid the crowds, partly to give us plenty of time if needed), so we were up and out by 3:00 am. The hike up was straightforward, and we took our time heading up to take photos and teach Erin some crampon/ice axe techniques. As the sun started rising, the views were AMAZING. Just incredible. And there was no one else on route anywhere near us. Maybe it was the views, maybe it was the exhaustion, but whatever it was, I had no idea climbing up and up for hours could be so much fun. People often refer to this ascent as a slog, but we were cracking jokes, laughing, and doofing around the whole way up. It was a total blast. And Erin crushed it!!
Sunrise, Erin and I approaching Pikers Peak
Erin taking in the views. She takes after Ely in the fluorescent-colored jackets and shirts.
Katy and Erin, approaching the summit
Steep ascent – notice the huge glissade chute
As we made our way past Pikers Peak (the false summit), Ely and I noticed the peak was noticeably more melted out than it was when we did a ski ascent/descent a month before. Not surprising. The three of us made our way up, and Erin was the first person to stand on the summit of Mt Adams that day! We hung out at the summit for almost an hour enjoying the views of all the surrounding volcanos and taking jumping/handstand photos. We also had summit-reward peach rings. It was great.
The first two people on the summit! Summit ladies for the win.
We need to work on our summit handstands.
Ely, summit ninja
The descent was spicier than expected – the glissade chutes were fun but definitely intimidating for a first-timer. And then, due to the maze of ridgelines and fall-lines down Adams, we ended up a ridgeline over from where we wanted to be and had to do some back-tracking to get back to the South Spur Route. All would have been fine, but at that point we were hot, tired, and needed water (we had a stove to melt snow, but in our tired state we just wanted to wait until we got to camp). Once we finally made it back to camp, the direct sunlight made it too hot to take a nap as we had originally planned, so we ate, packed up, and started the descent back to Cold Springs. The descent went by quickly – which was good considering how hot and tired we were.
Erin and Katy coming down the glissade chute – it was fast! I still prefer snowboarding down.
Overall, it was a great trip, and honestly the most fun I’ve had during a potential sufferfest ever. My abs hurt from all the laughing.
Then, to top the trip off, we drove through Hood River to rehydrate and refuel at Double Mountain Brewery. That place is becoming a post-Adams tradition 🙂