Mt. Adams, South Climb 7/11/15

 This would be the year that everyone got to climb into a cloud.

It was also a low snow year.  The ridge that we call "Widowmaker" did not have much snow on it!

 Everyone waiting for the high altitude, 3 course gourmet dinner.  The cooks did a great job!

We woke up to a small lenticular dome on the mountain.

 Climbers heading for the dome.

We had sunshine for a while.

A line of climbers coming up from Lunch Counter.

The 1918 fire lookout was melted out pretty good.

 Climbers celebrating on the summit.

Success!

 The temp was in the 40's and it was a little breezy.

You work up quite an appetite climbing a mountain.  Time to head down to the trailhead cheese dog feast, then drive to the nearest city and eat a big dessert!

Mt. Adams, North Face of the NW Ridge 7/3/15

Our plan for the weekend had been to climb a challenging new route on the big mountain.  Unfavorable conditions caused us to drop that idea and try something new on Mt. Adams instead.

You gotta love the beautiful approach on the north side of Adams!  The route starts on the far right.  You ascend the snow slopes, climbing up and left on the near side of the ridge and top out at The Pinnacle.  We would descend the North Ridge on the far left.  

Dan and David above treeline with Mt. Rainier in the background.

Equestria Lake and the Goat Rocks.

Dan and a herd of mountain goats.

Doug kicking steps in the soft snow.

Mark climbing up the steep slope.  A forest fire had just started on the west side of the mountain!  We did not know if it was going to spread to where the car was parked, strand us or what.    

We had just topped out at The Pinnacle and started down the North Ridge when it looked like the smoke might overtake us.  It ended up moving off to the south instead.

There were more mountain goats on the North Ridge.  We made it back down to the trail just before sunset and hiked out to the car in the dark.  The fire was still several miles away.  Another day that we will never forget!