Mt. Adams

The Climb

Mount Adams, is one of our favorite climbs, for experience, wildlife, views, and challenge. One of the largest volcanoes on the Cascade Volcanic Arc, Adams offers the complete novice mountaineering experience.

The climate is diverse and stunning. We will pass through lower forests dominated by fir, hemlock, and cedar, then through meadows and wetlands on the lower flanks, with vibrant fields of alpine flowers. We may catch glimpses of mountain goat, Roosevelt elk, black-tailed deer, and the Cascade mountain fox. Birds include chickadee, kinglets, thrushes, warblers, sparrows, and finches, and the endemic gray-crowned rosy finch, found well above tree-line. Circling high above will be red-tailed hawks, golden and bald eagles, ospreys, great horned owls, and falcons. 

From the summit, if it is a clear day, we will be able to see Rainier, Baker, Glacier Peak, Saint Helens, Hood, Jefferson, the Three Sisters, Thielsen, Scott, Diamond Peak, and McLoughlin. 

Each year, thousands of enthusiasts attempt to summit Mt. Adams. While some routes have glaciers, crevasses, steep sections, loose rocks, and other mountaineering hazards, we will (most likely) take the non-technical South Climb route that should avoid these hazards and does not require mountaineering skills or advanced equipment. 

Our experienced guides can give us options to take on additional technical challenges, depending on conditions and the team’s desires. To prepare for the summit push, we will receive Snow School training on the proper use of an ice axes, crampons, and mountain communication. 

This will be a physical and mental challenge, but one that is absolutely doable, even for beginners. By taking on something bigger than ourselves, we are reminded of what we can achieve in life, and we are thrilled to offer this experience to families this year.

At Climb For Hope, we judge our success, not by whether we summit, but by the whole experience, which includes fundraising for breast cancer and MS research, training to get our bodies and minds fit enough for a major challenge, and most importantly, that every climber comes down off the mountain safely.  

REQUIREMENTS

This climb is open to all physically fit, enthusiastic novices and up. While no mountaineering experience is required, prior experience with backpacking and camping is highly recommended. Climbers will be expected to train for the climb and be able to carry a 40-50 lbs. pack for three days.

Hotel, guide fees, group equipment (tents, cooking gear, fuel) as well as breakfasts and dinners on the mountain are provided by Climb For Hope. Climbers are only responsible for airfare to Portland, lunches on the mountain, energy bars, and meals in town, including the celebratory post-climb dinner.

TRAINING

Training is vital to success, and we recommend a regimen of weight training (weight lifting, Crossfit, etc) and endurance training (hiking with a weighted pack, running, biking, etc). Here is an example training plan. Training should begin four months prior to the climb.

Since there is no substitute for doing the activity itself you are training for, Climb For Hope will also lead several hikes in the Baltimore/Washington area in the months leading up to the climb. 

Gear

Many of the items on our recommended gear list can be borrowed or rented. Climb For Hope has extra sleeping bags and other gear, so please contact us before purchasing items you may not use again. Before we set out for the mountain, we will visit the Mountain Shop, in Portland, where you can rent mountaineering boots and purchase any gear you may still need.

FUNDRAISING

Each climber is expected to raise $2,800 towards Climb For Hope’s mission of funding breast cancer and MS research and providing life-changing experiences for those affected by cancer.

When you sign up, we will provide a personal fundraising page and links for you to solicit or make donations. We are more than happy to help you with fundraising ideas, email templates, and marketing support, especially if you don’t have a lot of fundraising experience. 

THE GUIDES

Our longtime partners, the experienced and professional guides at Rare Earth Adventures, handle all the nitty-gritty details of our adventure, so that we can focus on the landscape and our own personal experiences. Not only are they also highly trained to keep us safe and respond to emergencies, but they’re pretty good mountain cooks too!

Itinerary

DAY 1 - Sunday, June 4, 2023 - Travel Day

Make your own arrangements to arrive in Portland by 5pm. Rare Earth Adventures will pick everyone up at the airport and drive everyone to the Mountain Shop for last-minute gear or boot rentals, then to our hotel (which we take care of). We will have a team dinner with introductions, plenty of time for questions, and a gear check, where we will divide up the communal gear, including tents, food, and fuel. Early to bed. 

DAY 2 - Monday, June 5, 2023 - to Basecamp & Snowschool

Rise early, and drive 2.5 hours through the beautiful Gifford Pinchot National Forest to the trailhead to begin hiking. Over the next five to six hours, climbers will carry their full kit (40-45 lbs) to base camp, at the "Lunch Counter," (altitude 9,250’). After setting up tents, we will spend a few hours in Snow School, learning the proper use of ice axes, mountain communication, and practicing self-arrest techniques. Dinner and sunset overlooking the Cascades. Early to bed. 

DAY 3 - Tuesday, June 6, 2023 - Summit Day

During the pre-dawn hours, we will climb 2-4 hours to the snow and ice slopes from our high camp to the false summit, Piker's Peak (altitude 11,657’) before continuing on to the true summit at 12,276’ where we will take incredible photos with 360º views!

Conditions permitting, the return to camp may include the opportunity to glissade, which is a controlled slide on your feet or butt -- a fun alternative way to descend (see video). The descent from the summit to base camp should take a fraction of the time it took us to ascend. Dinner at base camp.

DAY 4 - Wednesday, June 7, 2023 - Descend & Return to Portland

From base camp, we will leisurely hike down for 4 hours. Then, before driving back to Portland, we will enjoy a celebratory team meal and famous Huckleberry milkshake (or a beer). Climb for Hope will take care of the hotel in Portland, and we will spend the night in town. If you need to return home immediately, you can catch a red-eye flight.

DAY 5 - Thursday, June 8, 2023 - Travel Day

Most people will return home this day. If you chose to stay longer, you are on your own for a hotel.