Mt. Adams (attempted) 1-21-10

[averagejoe]

Trip Report
Mt. Adams attempt
1-21-2010

We set out from the North Shore of Ma at about 7:00AM and made for the Appalachia trail-head. With quite a late start (about 10:00AM), Caleb, Steve and I set out on the Airline with intentions to summit Mt. Adams. The day started out with overcast skies and temps seemed to be around 30F. The trail was fairly well broken out. There was about 3 to 6 inches of fluff on the trail, except for the few bigger drifts near tree-line.

This was Steve's first time above treeline, and his first real "winter hike", so I wasn't sure how far up he would want to go. He suffered like a champ up there in the cold and wind.

Layer-a-changin

Saw some evidence of wildlife.

As we got towards treeline we got our view of J.Q. and Adams.

As the day wore on, the under-cast was amazing.

But it got too late, and we turned around about 200 feet below the summit. I was bummed, but we wanted to be below tree-line before having to bust out the headlamps.

Steve on the Gulfside Tr.

Just as we are about to duck back into the trees.

Thanks for coming along,
Joe.

Full album,
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=52098&id=1300664335&l=c4e7ce41d2

 

[Chip]

Congratulations. It's never a bad thing to have had a good hike, taken some pics and gotten out safely and on schedule.

 

[averagejoe]

Nope, I'm not dissapointed even a little bit. It was a beautiful day, with no mis-haps, so it was a winner as far as I'm concerned.

 

[LivesToHike]

Glad you got up there - the view is spectacular and worth the hike up.
You used good judgement at the turnaround point, and had a great day.

--Mike

 

[PETCH]

Nice job and a good call knowing when to say when. The mountains will always be there.....
Petch

 

[averagejoe]

I've been up there in the winter, and considering the weather, I would have loved to have hung out up there. The sunset, moon, stars & the other peaks would have been something else. I don't have Adams in January, but this trip wasn't about me or lists and what-not.

The mountains will be there, and I'll be on them...

Joe.