youngdoc - Aug 31, 2013 3:03 pm Date Climbed: Aug 17, 2013
Damn you, cloud
I started at 7 a.m., summited at 10:45 a.m., spent 90 minutes on the rim, and was back to my car by 3:40. Having said that, one third of the way into the hike, a cloud settled onto the mountain and refused to leave. Visibility was less than 100 meters and my view of much of the ascent was mist, through which the occasional hiker appeared.
On the summit, the wind, sand, and mist were absolute: every piece of gear that I carried was coated in droplets of moisture and inundated with grit. Despite four layers of clothing, I shivered continuously on the rim and had to pull my buff over my face to stay warm and keep the sand out of my mouth. I could hear helicopters in the crater, but I couldn't see more than a few feet over the edge of the rim. I had no views at all from the summit. Still, I met some great hikers and I enjoyed every second of scrambling over the crusty boulders on the way up. Some chunks of rock looked as if only yesterday they had been ripped violently from the rocky face of the mountain and dropped where they lay, half polished stone, half twisted, sheared rock.
Going up, the wooded section is very easy. The boulder scramble is a little more work, but if you are worried about that section, you can pick your path and choose one of least resistance (steering only roughly from post to post) obviating most points of challenge. The third phase -- the scree slope -- is a little tiresome, because by that time your legs may be heavy and it's nearly a straight shot up to the summit -- there are no switchbacks to diminish the steepness of the ascent. But again, it's just a question of plodding along, a few steps at a time, as I did, after I apparently attempted to set a speed record on the most challenging route through the boulders that I could create. That wore me down and I tottered my way up the scree slope.
If that sounds somewhat encouraging, I have to add the caveat that the descent is more likely to be a genuine challenge. I carried my ice axe and snow pants, but there was no snow worth glissading, so I was relegated to walking down the scree. I slid and fell on my tail several times on the descent, mainly in the areas where the trail transitions between scree and boulders. No cataclysmic falls, but the conditions were potentially there for one. With each step on sand/scree on the way down, I found myself aiming for anything that resembled solid rock, so I could avoid another unexpected slide. My advice: be careful and allow as much time for your descent as your ascent.
OwenT - Aug 17, 2013 3:47 am Date Climbed: Aug 13, 2013
Good Day
Got all 17 people in our group up and had a great time, stayed in a wonderful B&B in Cougar.
pdx2lax - Aug 6, 2013 4:27 pm Date Climbed: Jul 30, 2013
Monitor Ridge
Was able to snag a pass from someone who couldn't go. It was an excellent hike. Just beat some clouds that were forming to the summit and the views were great!
Tonka - Jun 24, 2013 5:55 pm Date Climbed: Jun 17, 2013
We didn't blow it.
Worm Flows route on a good weather day with long glissades. Fun.
ernestsson - Jun 11, 2013 1:50 am Date Climbed: Dec 30, 2012
End-of-the-Year Winter Ascent
Snowshoed up the Worm Flows route. Attempted to ski down, which was a disaster as 1) the snow was crusty over soft stuff, so I kept plunging through with one ski but not the other, and 2) I hadn't been skiing in years and didn't really have enough confidence. Also, my legs were tired after the ten-odd hours of slogging up in the snow on snowshoes. So, not the best planning on my part! Did eventually make it down, lesson learned. Do more skiing before any more ski mountaineering trips.
slfoo2 - May 28, 2013 2:28 am Date Climbed: May 11, 2013
Left early before the crowds
Hiked before the limiting started. Had a great hike up, and snowboarded back down passing about 300 people on the descent, some of the men were in dresses for the mothers day weekend festivities.
Great sunrise views of Mt. Adams from the top.
seanpeckham - May 11, 2013 8:45 pm Date Climbed: May 11, 2013
Worm Flows
This will have been my first Cascade volcano. This was the last weekend before the 100 permits per day cap goes into effect for the summer, and 650 permits were issued. Yeah, it was a zoo (or a party, depending on how you feel), but we beat the crowds with a 4 am start, mainly motivated by the prospect of the ski conditions being better early. It was nevertheless too soft because of a poor refreeze, but still a blast, especially up high (and there was a line of spectators - I mean, climbers - all the way up and down the mountain wooting as we skied by, which is always fun). The bottom mile or so was melted out. I wish I could have spent more time enjoying the summit; the best view is not from the highpoint, and the crater is otherworldly.
Up the Worm Flows route from Marble Mountain SnoPark... where the actual route goes above treeline was anyone's guess, folks were swarming all over the mountain. Absolutely beautiful day! Great view across the crater. I was suprised everyone else stopped at the crater rim rather than continueing on the the highpoint. Had the top all to myself!
Nick Turtura - Mar 11, 2013 4:23 pm Date Climbed: Mar 9, 2013
BLUE BIRD
What a day! We almost forgot is was still winter. No permit fees, no reservation fees and no quota limits, just perfect climbing conditions and a 5000 foot ski to the car. Yes all the way to the car. Perfect.
Alpineascents1992 - Feb 25, 2013 12:40 am Date Climbed: Jul 15, 2000
first climb ever
i was only 8 years old but i loved every second of it, summited via monitor ridge route!
Thats awesome! Would you say the hike was pretty technical? Did you take crampons or an ice axe with you? I am planning to do this hike towards the end of January, do you have any advice?
JimWallace - Dec 4, 2012 9:10 pm Date Climbed: Jun 12, 2011
sweet crater rim summit
Went with a group. we climbed Rainier then St,Helens. The crater rim was magnificent. the crater was still smoking. views were great. had snow the whole ascent. One of my favorites..Jim W
Matt Lemke - Nov 2, 2012 11:55 pm Date Climbed: Nov 2, 2012
Monitor Ridge in snow
Great day on the mountain although we were in a fog much of the way. Didn't get to see any views on summit
sseaks - Oct 4, 2012 11:44 am Date Climbed: Sep 18, 2012
beautiful day!
great day, the wind changed direction and cleared the wildfire smoke out that covered the area the day prior..fun times all around!
youngdoc - Aug 31, 2013 3:03 pm Date Climbed: Aug 17, 2013
Damn you, cloudI started at 7 a.m., summited at 10:45 a.m., spent 90 minutes on the rim, and was back to my car by 3:40. Having said that, one third of the way into the hike, a cloud settled onto the mountain and refused to leave. Visibility was less than 100 meters and my view of much of the ascent was mist, through which the occasional hiker appeared.
On the summit, the wind, sand, and mist were absolute: every piece of gear that I carried was coated in droplets of moisture and inundated with grit. Despite four layers of clothing, I shivered continuously on the rim and had to pull my buff over my face to stay warm and keep the sand out of my mouth. I could hear helicopters in the crater, but I couldn't see more than a few feet over the edge of the rim. I had no views at all from the summit. Still, I met some great hikers and I enjoyed every second of scrambling over the crusty boulders on the way up. Some chunks of rock looked as if only yesterday they had been ripped violently from the rocky face of the mountain and dropped where they lay, half polished stone, half twisted, sheared rock.
Going up, the wooded section is very easy. The boulder scramble is a little more work, but if you are worried about that section, you can pick your path and choose one of least resistance (steering only roughly from post to post) obviating most points of challenge. The third phase -- the scree slope -- is a little tiresome, because by that time your legs may be heavy and it's nearly a straight shot up to the summit -- there are no switchbacks to diminish the steepness of the ascent. But again, it's just a question of plodding along, a few steps at a time, as I did, after I apparently attempted to set a speed record on the most challenging route through the boulders that I could create. That wore me down and I tottered my way up the scree slope.
If that sounds somewhat encouraging, I have to add the caveat that the descent is more likely to be a genuine challenge. I carried my ice axe and snow pants, but there was no snow worth glissading, so I was relegated to walking down the scree. I slid and fell on my tail several times on the descent, mainly in the areas where the trail transitions between scree and boulders. No cataclysmic falls, but the conditions were potentially there for one. With each step on sand/scree on the way down, I found myself aiming for anything that resembled solid rock, so I could avoid another unexpected slide. My advice: be careful and allow as much time for your descent as your ascent.
OwenT - Aug 17, 2013 3:47 am Date Climbed: Aug 13, 2013
Good DayGot all 17 people in our group up and had a great time, stayed in a wonderful B&B in Cougar.
pdx2lax - Aug 6, 2013 4:27 pm Date Climbed: Jul 30, 2013
Monitor RidgeWas able to snag a pass from someone who couldn't go. It was an excellent hike. Just beat some clouds that were forming to the summit and the views were great!
Tonka - Jun 24, 2013 5:55 pm Date Climbed: Jun 17, 2013
We didn't blow it.Worm Flows route on a good weather day with long glissades. Fun.
ernestsson - Jun 11, 2013 1:50 am Date Climbed: Dec 30, 2012
End-of-the-Year Winter AscentSnowshoed up the Worm Flows route. Attempted to ski down, which was a disaster as 1) the snow was crusty over soft stuff, so I kept plunging through with one ski but not the other, and 2) I hadn't been skiing in years and didn't really have enough confidence. Also, my legs were tired after the ten-odd hours of slogging up in the snow on snowshoes. So, not the best planning on my part! Did eventually make it down, lesson learned. Do more skiing before any more ski mountaineering trips.
slfoo2 - May 28, 2013 2:28 am Date Climbed: May 11, 2013
Left early before the crowdsHiked before the limiting started. Had a great hike up, and snowboarded back down passing about 300 people on the descent, some of the men were in dresses for the mothers day weekend festivities.
Great sunrise views of Mt. Adams from the top.
seanpeckham - May 11, 2013 8:45 pm Date Climbed: May 11, 2013
Worm FlowsThis will have been my first Cascade volcano. This was the last weekend before the 100 permits per day cap goes into effect for the summer, and 650 permits were issued. Yeah, it was a zoo (or a party, depending on how you feel), but we beat the crowds with a 4 am start, mainly motivated by the prospect of the ski conditions being better early. It was nevertheless too soft because of a poor refreeze, but still a blast, especially up high (and there was a line of spectators - I mean, climbers - all the way up and down the mountain wooting as we skied by, which is always fun). The bottom mile or so was melted out. I wish I could have spent more time enjoying the summit; the best view is not from the highpoint, and the crater is otherworldly.
mrchad9 - Apr 29, 2013 1:29 pm Date Climbed: Apr 26, 2013
Worm FlowsUp the Worm Flows route from Marble Mountain SnoPark... where the actual route goes above treeline was anyone's guess, folks were swarming all over the mountain. Absolutely beautiful day! Great view across the crater. I was suprised everyone else stopped at the crater rim rather than continueing on the the highpoint. Had the top all to myself!
Nick Turtura - Mar 11, 2013 4:23 pm Date Climbed: Mar 9, 2013
BLUE BIRDWhat a day! We almost forgot is was still winter. No permit fees, no reservation fees and no quota limits, just perfect climbing conditions and a 5000 foot ski to the car. Yes all the way to the car. Perfect.
Alpineascents1992 - Feb 25, 2013 12:40 am Date Climbed: Jul 15, 2000
first climb everi was only 8 years old but i loved every second of it, summited via monitor ridge route!
ManyGlacierMountaineer - Feb 24, 2013 11:15 pm Date Climbed: Jun 1, 2011
Mt. St. Helen'sw/ Tyler Haasch, Adam Walker and Ben Phillips. We didn't see a damn thing on the way up, but the best glissade of our lives on the way down!
relic - Feb 23, 2013 3:13 pm Date Climbed: Jun 1, 1997
Standard Monitor RidgeDate is a guess. Sure wouldn't want to do this one when melted out, much more pleasant as a snow climb.
bcory2003 - Feb 6, 2013 12:33 am Date Climbed: Feb 2, 2013
Mt St HelensGreat climb but super icy.
kylefrowe - Jan 3, 2013 12:52 pm Date Climbed: Aug 6, 2011
EarlyFirst one to the summit that day enjoyed the solitude while it lasted :)
Fletch - Dec 28, 2012 3:15 pm Date Climbed: Jul 4, 2011
Awesomew/ Dennis Poulin. Incredible day out!
Sirburtmund - Dec 25, 2012 3:06 pm
Summited with my 13 year oldPerfect first climb with my 13 year old. Really nice on top. Killer on the knees on the way down down climbing all the boulders but still really fun!
skimmy54 - Dec 27, 2012 4:54 pm
Re: Summited with my 13 year oldThats awesome! Would you say the hike was pretty technical? Did you take crampons or an ice axe with you? I am planning to do this hike towards the end of January, do you have any advice?
JimWallace - Dec 4, 2012 9:10 pm Date Climbed: Jun 12, 2011
sweet crater rim summitWent with a group. we climbed Rainier then St,Helens. The crater rim was magnificent. the crater was still smoking. views were great. had snow the whole ascent. One of my favorites..Jim W
Matt Lemke - Nov 2, 2012 11:55 pm Date Climbed: Nov 2, 2012
Monitor Ridge in snowGreat day on the mountain although we were in a fog much of the way. Didn't get to see any views on summit
sseaks - Oct 4, 2012 11:44 am Date Climbed: Sep 18, 2012
beautiful day!great day, the wind changed direction and cleared the wildfire smoke out that covered the area the day prior..fun times all around!