Mt. Adams - Gifford Pinchot National Forest [BP]

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 Cascade Range. Summiting this majestic peak is no small feat. However, with the right gear, training, and route, it is possible to do without tackling serious technical challenges. The South Climb is the least technical ascent of the mountain, but what it lacks in technicality, it makes up for in gorgeous views of the entire chain of Cascade Volcanoes. [4feet] We didn’t make it to the summit, unfortunately, only reached “Lunch Counter (9,500 feet)”. Retreated due to the extreme weather (see video 2) on Saturday night. The heavy snowstorm 15*F eventually bend the tent poles and broke the structure. The katabatic wind, later on, shoveled snow into the tent in a heartbeat. At 1 a.m., I started to feel that the sleeping bag was getting wet really quickly. We stayed no longer and packed all stuff before we got hypothermia. Climbing down at 2:30 a.m., the sky was clear yet the wind was still howling. First time to see MOONSET. The moon turned its color from silver-white to ruby red when it was setting to the cascade range. Absolute darkness came along, yet stars glowed their shine following the moonset. Climbing down an icy and snowy mountain in darkness was a bad idea even with a flashlight. Standing on 9,500 ft above sea level, all stones are covered by ice and sharpened by the strong wind. It was slippery and dangerous to step on. I almost fell off the cliff when climbing alongside the icy ledge; glad my ice axe saved my life and stopped me from falling. When we were close to the trailhead, the dawn broke the silence of this longest night. We stopped and waited for the sunrise to paint its golden color on Adams. The sky was crystal clear and the mountains seemed peaceful on Sunday morning. Turned around. The Mt. Hood in Oregon on the other side also showed its beauty to climbers 50 miles away. We were either brave or foolish enough to challenge this forgotten giant of Washington, especially when he was angry. I guess we will just try again next time. I meant next weekend.