Mount Adams Ski Climb - SW Chutes
Dates: May 24 or 25, 2025 (backup dates May 31 or June 1)
Co-Leaders: Gabe Starr and Shonee Langford
Elevation: 12,276’
Route: Ascend South Spur (Standard Route); Descend SW Chutes
Distance: ~12 miles RT
Elevation Gain: ~6700’
Max Team Size: 6
Interactive Caltopo Map
The SW Chutes offer one of the best volcano descents in the Pacific Northwest. Pray for spring corn.
Route Description
Starting at the Cold Springs Trailhead/ Campground, we will ascend the South Spur climber’s trail. If the road to the trailhead is still blocked by snow, we will drive as far as we can and start from there. Along the way we will pass the Lunch Counter, where many climbers like to camp. At approximately 11,500’ we will pass beneath Piker’s Peak (false summit) and the entrance to the SW Chutes. Plan A is to climb/skin another 750-800’ to the true summit, but depending on conditions we may also decide to drop into the SW Chutes without tagging the summit. From the top of the SW Chutes we will ski/ride the chutes down to around 7100 feet. After assessing conditions, we could either traverse hard left back towards the South Spur climber’s route, or we could continue down to the Round the Mountain Trail at approximately 6100 feet and follow it back to the climber’s route.
Full Prospectus
Requirements
-Chemeketans Climb School Graduate or equivalent
-Prior successful backcountry skiing experience, including long tours with significant elevation gain, e.g. summitting Mount Saint Helens via the Worm Flows route
-Know how to use beacon, probe and shovel
-Ability to skin and/or climb at a rate of 1000' per hour for many hours with only short rests
How to Apply
Send an email to Gabe Starr (gabrielstarr09@gmail.com) and Shonee Langford (shoneelangoford@gmail.com) that addresses the above requirements. Also provide a climb resume and a description of what you have been doing in recent months to stay in shape for something like this.