[moonspots]

I'm considering hiking up the south side of Mt Adams with two of my grandkids (13 & 15) in the next week or so. Any suggestions, recent trail condition reports, warnings, etc you'd care to share?

[PorcupinePhobia]

Hiked the south side a month ago. People get all upset when I refer to hills higher than Queen Anne as a simple walk up, but I'll offer this- On a clear day, you would have to reeeeally try hard to get off route. Of the 300 people we met heading up or down the summit on a weekend, we met at least 20 children, a miniature weiner dog, a guy summiting for the second time at age 81, and two dudesfrom seattle who were so stoned I was truly concerned for their safety. The glissade will be slightly less epic this late in season, no doubt, but probably still better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick. I wore trail runners and micro spikes. Never wished for an ice axe. Some stiffer boots would have been nice on the steeper bits. We did it as a day hike, I thought that was nicer than haulin a bunch of shtuff up to crowded lunch counter. Get em up there!!

[Trailhead]

You're required to purchase a Volcano pass ($15.00 per person on weekends) and blue bag your waste. Sunscreen is essential. Have fun!

[roar huge]

While it is technically a walkup, it's still a big mountain, and a long day. Just because other people did it in sneakers with their dachsund, does not make it a good idea to go unprepared. The south spur trail is steep enough that all should have an ice axe, and know how to to self-arrest. Make sure you're prepared with cold-weather gear (especially this weekend) and ensure you're physically fit enough to do 6000+ feet over 12 miles in a day. Most people aren't. I'm sick of everyone downplaying Adams as no big deal. Sure you don't need ropes, and you're not going to fall into a crevasse on the south side- but it's the second highest peak in the state and should be treated as such. We already lost one person on the mountain this year, and we'll continue to have more accidents, and waste the time of our generous SAR crews by being overly arrogant about our pursuits. /rant

[Randito]

[forest gnome]

good advice, also take another one of the essientials....AN ALTIMETER WITH MAP...this weekend fog or some such could come in... gps extra batterys....whatever...

[Mikey]

Altitude Sickness Children are especially vulnerable to altitude sickness, and can experience high altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) and high altitude cerebral edema (HACE) below 2,500 metres (8,000 feet). Men are 5 times more likely than women to develop HAPE, but acute mountain sickness (AMS) and HACE affect men and women equally. If someone has had altitude sickness before, they have a 3 times greater risk. If someone usually lives below 3,000 metres, they are at more than 3 times the risk of those who reside at higher altitudes. However, if someone lives at a high altitude, an increased risk can develop even after a brief stay at lower elevations.

[gb]

Haven't been in a while, but assuming the false summit snowfield is still intact, it is about 35 degrees. If we do continue to transition to cooler weather it wouldn't be surprising if the snow would be hard this late. Consider that and carry crampons if it is cool.

[moonspots]

[DRSpalding]

[Randito]

[moonspots]