Max Tackles the Mountain

The boys were up at 5:45,

• frozen Vitamin waters in the back pack -check-
• Same for PB & J's on white bread. -check-
• The flashlight -check-
• Power Bars -check-
• Park passes -check-

The ride up to mountain was a pain as heading East the sun was right in our eyes, so I bought the worst looking sunglasses on the planet. Seriously I look like my brother in my Moms glasses but they served their purpose, keeping the sun and then the dirt out of my eyes.

My ex (the self proclaimed expert on most everything) warned us and probably rightly so that we should set a cut off time of 3:00. That is if we were not up to the top by 3:00 we should turn around. Sounded like sound advice, but to be quite honest, I wasnt really worried about that.

8:36 -We set foot on trail pretty much right on schedule. Max liked the gentle 2.0 miles walk up to the Lewitt trail. We ran into a couple whom were roaming aimlessly and they asked us where the top of the mountain was and we answered -"You have not even started yet." . The gave us a befuddled look that indicated they were not going to make it. We saw them later fairly close to the top. I told Max to say goodbye to the trees and that he did and when he saw the boulder fields in front of him Max was rather excited.

We climbed over boulders bigger than Max and at about 1500 feet up the Mountain Max wanted some jerky and I searched my back pack for water and it was good on this hot day. Vitamin Water slushies are the bomb. We met a neat group of people at the 7000 foot level where Max sat and fed some hungry chipmunks. The last 1600 foot climb to the top was a bit of work as it was in sand and scree and the sun was starting to get warm. But Max had very little trouble making it to the top.

At 12:34 ,he in his Phillies hat, was greeted by a few cheering people at the top and another guy in a Phillies hat. We had Peanut Butter & Jelly at the top as well as a Vitamin Water slushy. Max enjoyed the view inside the volcano. The view to the south was outstanding as we could see clear down to the Three Sisters in Bend.

The climb down was alot of fun but Max had some stomach problems for an hour as we hiked with some girls from Little Rock. They were nice and offered him little snacks, but all he needed was to duck behind a tree and go to the bath room.

The gentle walk in the woods at the bottom was time for Max to look at types of mush rooms, and every odd old growth tree he could find. We were off the mountain at 3:58. An eight hour hike for a ten year old. Not bad, as I am gushing proud of him. When we got home he wanted pierogies. So thats what he had. And he slept well.

Link to Real Time Mountan Photos

McNeil Point

Vista Ridge - Cairn Basin - Eden Park Loop

Preview: This challenging loop trail climbs Vista Ridge on the remote northwest side of Mount Hood and then takes you through Wy’East Basin, Cairn Basin, and Eden Park. Way off the beaten track, this adventurous and challenging trail will take you through the spectacular wildflower meadows of Wy’East Basin, Cairn Basin, and Eden Park on the northwest ridge of Mount Hood. As you climb Vista Ridge, you’ll have brief but gorgeous views of Mount Hood, Mount St. Helens, Mount Adams, and Mount Rainier. Additional challenges on this trail include two bridgeless crossings over rumbling Ladd Creek. This creek may be too treacherous to cross during high runoff periods.

MO Lester Has People in the FootHills Leary (Climbing St Helens)

I have climbed St Helen's on various occasions and this year I came in a bit leery as I have been having a problem with a disc in my back that limits my motion and at times brings me to a screeching halt. So I kind of feared that I was going to have trouble scaling the mountain.

This year I climbed the Mountain with April and Stephanie, and I believe those two were what the doctor ordered as they are just fun people to be around and they always seem to have me teetering on the edge of laughter.

The well Oiled Machine.

We decided awhile ago not to camp and just drive up the morning of the hike. Our plan was to be on the Mountain by 9:00 and be off the mountain by five, but the best laid plans simply some times are mis-laid. So we got on the mountain an hour late. 3 years in a row and no fat Jack at the registration. It was curious to see the the locals gather around a poster for the latest Child Molester to allowed to live in Cougar (Mr Mo Lester). (One can clique (sic) on these pictures and they get bigger)



Hike time temperature was 50 degrees with a cloud cover. We had no view of the top of the Mountain. Of course my camera was out of batteries when we started, April and Steph had on high tech clothing that was way too complicated for me and the vaunted Peanut Butter and Jelly hoagie in their back pack. For some reason I was too lazy to pack them and opted for a decent Fat Jack treat from the store.

The hike to above the tree line was fantastic, we all seemed to be in a good mood, the temperature was perfect and WE WERE NOT AT THAT PLACE CALLED WORK. I was expecting my back to be weird, but it was on its best behavior today. Once we entered the rocky area the hike actually seemed to get easier. We covered lots of distance in a short amount of time and the skies slowly and teasedly cleared ever so slowly leading to a great view at the top.

Per usual the last 1000 feet were a bit of a pain in the but we made it in style. We had inane conversations with everybody at the top, snapped some photos and headed down the mountain once again. Pig Pen and April did not have the down hill verve and four days later their quads are still barking a little bit...It was nice to get back to the tree line and smell the pine trees again, and the shadows from the sun and the trees seemed to bend perfectly. This was a very nice hike.. I give it

Research

Nice Link # 1
First, let’s learn a little background info on the mountain. Mt Adams, with its summit of 12,276 feet elevation, is the second highest peak in Washington State and the third highest peak in the Cascades Range. There are several climbing routes on the mountain, ranging from the "non-technical" South Climb, which is the route we opted for, to highly technical routes that require advance skill, experience, and special equipment. The only special equipment required on South Climb #183 is an ice axe and crampons; no roping skills or other technical climbing skills are needed. Even though the route is not technically challenging, it takes climbers at least 6 to 8 hours to ascend the nearly 6,700 vertical feet across snow and rock to reach the high altitude summit of Mt. Adams. Note that in addition to the 6 to 8 hours of ascent time you must allow for 4 to 6 hours to get back down off the mountain. This was another tidbit of critical information that my mind decided not to process during my early preparation for the route. It wasn’t until we picked up our Cascade Volcano Pass and I was rereading the info that it dawned on me…what the hell was going on? I was sure the entire hiking time was 6-8 hours! Crap. That was 4 to 6 hours I hadn’t factored in to our start time. This never happens, but there is a first time for everything, and for us time was everything


Climb Equipment List

The emphasis on equipment necessary for mountain travel follows two simple tenets: Lightweight and Functional. Since you will be carrying all of your gear and a portion of the group gear, the items you choose to take should be lightweight, dependable, and adaptable to a variety of extreme conditions. The quality of the equipment you choose has a lot to do with how warm, dry, and safe you will remain so be critical of quality and the proper fit of clothing. Comfort lends itself to a more enjoyable experience! The layering system outlined is usually sufficient for most people, but if you tend to be colder, bring one extra medium layer such as a vest, which would be ideal for extra warmth around camp. When making the final decision as to what goes into your pack, remember that it's a fine science of taking just enough clothes and accessories to do the job, while not over-burdening yourself with items you probably will not use. Cotton clothing must be avoided because it dries very slowly and is a poor insulator when wet. Instead, choose wool or synthetic fabrics that "wick" the sweat and moisture away from your skin to keep you much warmer. Mountain Madness guides and staff swear by Patagonia gear and we know that you will too. Besides having a strong commitment to the environment, Patagonia produces some of the finest outdoor gear in the industry. Check “Our Links” on the Mountain Madness homepage for a direct link to Patagonia. Find out what makes them "committed to the core."Another company that we believe travel follows our two simple tenets (lightweight and functional) is OR ( Outdoor Research ). Born in the NW, our guides have used OR gear again and again because they know it works in the mountains and trust their quality and durability. Check Our Links page for a direct link.Mountain Madness works closely with Second Ascent, a new and used gear store. If you are looking at trying to save some money, this is definitely the place to call. We stop at their store on our way out of Seattle on all Northwest trips. They are great at answering equipment questions and also ship anywhere in the US. They can be reached at (206) 545-8810. We also work closely with Feathered Friends, a retailer in Seattle which also rents gear, and will offer a 10% discount on purchases if you are signed up for a Mountain Madness trip. Please feel free to call them at (206) 292-2210 or visit www.featheredfriends.comClimbing Gear __ Alpine climbing harness* Must have adjustable leg loops and fit over all clothing (i.e. Black Diamond Alpine Bod w/gear loops) __ 2 locking carabiners Large, pear-shaped carabiner is best, screw gate type recommended __ 2 regular carabiners Light weight BD Hot wire are recommended __ Ice axe w/leash* Light weight (ie Grivel Air tech, Black Diamond Raven, or Charlet Moser Snow Walker) Under 5’7” use 60cm, 5’7”- 6’2” use 65cm, over 6’2” use 70cm __ Plastic Mountaineering boots (Koflach Degree, Lowa Civetta, or Scarpa Alpha) Mandatory May – mid-July or Leather Mountaineering boots * from mid-July (i.e. La Sportiva Makalu, Boreal Asan or equivalent, must be mountaineering/crampon compatible) __ Crampons* Must be fit to plastic boots prior to trip, new-matic type recommended, include a simple repair kit (i.e. Grivel G12, Black Diamond Contact, or Charlet Moser Super 12) __ Climbing helmet* Adjustable, should fit with hat on __ Perlon cord 30 feet of 6-millimeter perlon cord for prussik material, do not cut prior to trip! __ Adjustable trekking poles* Upper Body __ Polypropylene T-shirt __ Long sleeve polypropylene shirt Lightweight, light colored for sunny days __ Sports bras Two, synthetic, no cotton! __ Soft Shell Marmot Dri-clime Wind Shirt, Patagonia Stretch Zephur or Krushell Jacket (R2 pullover acceptable) __ Down/synthetic sweater or vest Patagonia Puffball Jacket or Sweater preferred, R4 Jacket acceptable after mid-July __ Hard Shell jacket with hood Waterproof and breathable. Gore-Tex or equivalent is best, roomy enough to fit over multiple layers __ 1 pair liner gloves Thin wool or polypropylene __ 1 pair warm gloves 1 pair gloves, fleece or wool __ Shell gloves or mitts Gore-Tex, with textured rubber palms and taped seams. Nylon shells will not keep your hands dry (OR.Cascade gloves or Shuksan mitts) __ Warm hat Wool or synthetic __ Balaclava __ Shade hat or baseball cap Lower Body __ 2 pair of liner socks Polypropylene or Capilene __ 2 pair heavy wool/synthetic socks.Check boot fit with liner and wool socks on __ 2 pair lightweight long underwear Polypropylene or Capilene __ 1 pair Soft shell pants (i.e., Patagonia Guide pants or OR Granite Pants. Schoeller fabrics) __ 1 pair nylon shorts. For July/Aug , running shorts or other quick-drying type, not cotton! __ Shell pants Waterproof/breathable with full side zips, Gore-Tex or equivalent is best __ Gaiters Make sure they will fit over plastic boots. (OR Crocodiles or equivalent) __ Light hiking shoes or trail shoes Optional July–Sept, for the hike to basecamp and use at camp All clothing should be kept dry using waterproof stuff sacks or large plastic bags. Sleeping Gear __ Sleeping bag Rated to at least 20º F. Line the stuff sack w/ plastic bag. __ Sleeping pad full length closed cell foam (mandatory) and/or ? length Therma-Rest for extra warmth and comfort Backpack __ Internal frame pack 5000 cubic inch capacity, avoid unnecessary options that add weight __ Pack cover Optional __ Summit Pack 1500-2000 cubic inch Lowe Neutrino or Black Diamond Speed 28 Miscellaneous Equipment __ Glacier glasses. 100% UV protection with side shields and a hard-sided storage case (i.e. Julbo or Cebe) __ Personal first aid kit. Basics: moleskin/blister kit, Band-Aids, first-aid tape, ibuprofen, personal medications, etc, check out OR __ Lip balm. At least SPF 20, 2 sticks. A string taped to the stick is helpful, to hang around your neck __ Sunscreen. At least SPF 40 __ Insect repellant. Small bottle, from mid-July on __ Headlamp. Petzl Myo3 or Black Diamond Gemini __ Water bottles. Two 1 liter wide-mouth Nalgene and 1 bottle holster, or __ Hydration bladder. With drinking tube and 1 Nalgene bottle __ Mug. Plastic w/snap-on lid, 16 oz. or larger __ Bowl and spoon. Plastic, small Tupperware works well. Lexan spoons are best __ Pocket knife. Small Swiss-Army type __ Water purification. Iodine tablets or Polar-pure crystals __ Toiletry kit. Be sure to include toilet paper stored in a plastic bag __ Large plastic bags. 2-3, for keeping miscellaneous gear dry __ Nylon stuff sacks. For food and gear storage waterproof optional (OR has a good selection); large Ziplocs are useful also __ Disposable lighters. Two, work better than matches for lighting stoves __ Bandanas. One or two __ Snacks and/or munchies. Bring your favorite “trail foods” or desserts, pack in Ziplocs. Avoid bringing more than you will need __ Camera. Optional, large SLR types are not recommended *Items can be rented from Mountain Madness