Backcountry Ski/Snowboard - Mount Adams/South Spur

There are a couple things to note about this trip:

• The objective of this trip is the Southwest Chutes, not a ski descent of the South Climb route. The Southwest Chutes are a sustained (but open) 40 degree line that drops fall line for nearly 4,000' from Pikers Peak.
• This involves more elevation gain than a usual Adams climb, and the crux may well be at the end of the day exiting the chutes and returning to the trailhead.
• Expect a relatively fast pace on the ascent, previous ascents have taken 5-6 hours to reach the summit from the trailhead, which is a sustained pace well over 1,200' / hr. This pace allows us to start later than other groups and be well rested for the ascent.
• The exit can be challenging for split boarders, since it involves a very long traverse. Splitboarders who wish to join should be comfortable split skiing with and without skins.

Permission is required. If we haven't skied together before, please answer the following questions:

• What is your mode of travel and what experience do you have skinning up firm/icy slopes that are often encountered on volcanos?
• What is the biggest recent day you have had on skis and how do you feel about descending a steep exposed run after doing 7,000' of ascent?
• What is your experience skiing steep and exposed backcountry terrain? 

Since this trip involves some basic mountaineering skills, graduation from the basic climbing course or the scrambling course (and experience with crampons) is a hard requirement, as well as Rec 1 avalanche education.

We will start early in the morning from the South Climb trailhead. Exact start time and carpools will be organized via email, but you should expect to camp at the trailhead the night before the climb.