Everything I Packed for a Single-Day Climb of Mt. Adams
Most people make the Mt. Adams South Climb an overnight affair, but I love saving pack weight and making it a day climb.
I’ve done it both ways, and they’re magical experiences in different ways. You might consider going for a single-day push if:
you have high fitness (and it’s not your first mountaineering experience)
you don’t have two days to devote to the climb
the forecast looks great and you have plenty of summer light
you enjoy an alpine start for a summit sunrise
you just don’t want to camp out and would rather spend ~10-14 hours working from start to finish
I documented what I took for an August 2022 climb (which had more like July snow conditions). Take a peek!
Exactly What Gear I Took for the Mt. Adams South Climb Route:
Safety Gear
First aid kit: waterproof, “2 people 2 days,” Adventure Medical Kit brand. I personalize my first aid kits and add to them, which I recommend all people do. Inside this kit includes first aid supplies, fire starting materials, emergency foil blanket, moleskin, a bit of duct tape and thread for repairs. I keep this in an easy-to-access part of my pack.
Headlamp: cheap-ish Black Diamond headlamp with extra batteries.
Satellite communicator: I love my Garmin InReach. I bought it secondhand years ago off of Facebook Marketplace for less than half of retail, and it was in great condition (and still is). This device can track and map your movement via GPS, signal authorities for help if you have an SOS-required emergency, download weather reports and send and receive messages from people at home. I use the $15/month plan, but I suspend my subscription on months I don’t plan to use it. The Earthmate app connects via Bluetooth to make communicating with others so easy!
Glacier goggles: This was my favorite purchase of 2022. These basic Julbo glasses retail for about $50, and I used a coupon for 15% off. The sun protection on the peripheral is a game-changer when you’re on snow and ice. I took them on Mt. Rainier, too.
Sunblock: Two types (I find zinc works better), plus lip balm with SPF.
Body Stuff
Hair elastics, plus bobby pins.
Wag bags: I bring doggy poo bags with toilet paper inside them. But, Mt. Adams actually has the fancy blue bags for you to take at the trailhead! Bring backup in your car, in case they run out. Always have a way to pack out your poop, even if you’re just going on a day climb.
4 liters of water: (a 3L bladder and a 1L Nalgene)
Tech
Exercise watch: I love my Coros. I got it a couple years ago for ultramarathon training and am SO happy I saved the money instead of buying a Garmin. The battery life is incredible and I have all the data from the climb, just to nerd out on. It’s fun to transfer the gpx file to Gaia to analyze on the topo map.
Cell phone (not pictured). You might get a couple blips of service throughout the day, which meant I didn’t always need to use my Garmin messages.
Clothing
Wide-brim sun hat: I’m a big fan of this style for something non-technical with no helmet required.
Synthetic pants: For summer weather, I used a basic pair of spandex-y pants. On colder days, I go for fleece-lined and bring an extra shell.
Synthetic long-sleeve base layer top: A sun hoodie works great, too. On colder days, I’ll wear a warmer one and bring more layers.
Midweight top layer: I brought a thin fleece zip-up this time. I didn’t use it.
Warm beanie
Snow gloves
Bandana: I tie it to protect my neck/chest from the sun.
Sports skort: For the warm, dirt trail portion of the day (basically just the beginning and end), I used this instead of pants.
Sports bra
Synthetic underwear (though I’m hoping to buy some nice wool pairs)
Two pairs of socks: I always have a backup in case they get wet. You can dry one pair on your pack while wearing the other.
Mountaineering Gear
Crampons: I keep them in their carrying bag until I need to use them. Store them carefully; I nest them together, zip them in the bag and keep them away from anything soft in my pack.
Ice axe: I have a basic, straight-shaft axe that works great.
One trekking pole: On steep snow and ice, I carry the ice axe in my uphill hand and my hiking pole in the downhill.
Boot gaiters: These Outdoor Research ones are waterproof but breathable and keep all the snow out of my boots. Helpful in deep/slushy snow, but can get warm if lower in elevation.
Mountaineering boots: I still love my LOWA Alpine Expert pair!
Other Essentials
A pack to hold it all: I use a secondhand Marmot pack. It’s actually for backcountry skiing, but the shape works well for a climb like this. The back zips down to make a little situpon in the snow.
Fun summit dress: I usually have a costume of sorts.
Food
Triple decker PB+J (in beeswax wrap)
Nut and granola mix
An orange
Two Z Bars (kids’ Cliff bars, don’t judge)
Thick slice of homemade quick bread: This is weird, but I use the pulp from the juicer to make quick bread and it works well. This loaf had a lot of carrot, beet and apple.
Protein pancakes: I made plain pancakes with a bit of chocolate protein powder the night before.
A slice of cheesecake for the summit (not pictured below)
And that’s it!
Mt. Adams is totally doable in a day if you have the fitness and gear.
So much of my gear is used or improvised, so don’t get caught up in finding the fanciest, newest gear.
But always bring the summit costume.
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