Mount Saint Helens Climber's Log

Viewing: 1-20 of 432
madmallard

madmallard - Feb 25, 2006 6:49 pm Date Climbed: Aug 31, 2004

the start of my addiction  Sucess!

my first major solo climb. perhaps my last climb of this peak too. almost exactly one month before it became active again. the pictures from that day are priceless.

cowlitz - Feb 1, 2006 5:41 pm

Route Climbed: Blue Jay trail up south face Date Climbed: April 28th, 1980  Sucess!

This is a late posting. 26 years to be exact. Sorry I don't know the exact name of my route.I had never ever climbed a mountain. The only gear I had, that halfway resembled climbing gear, was a pair of Rockport hiking boots with some Sno-Seal smeared on them. I had to sneak in, because a Red Zone had been placed around the mountain five miles out by the U.S. Forest Service. A $600.00 fine and 6 months in jail awaited anyone who ventured into the Red Zone. I believe I may have been the last person to climb Mt. St. Helens before the historic eruption of May 18th, 1980. Check out the photos. cowlitz

Epdrun1

Epdrun1 - Jan 17, 2006 10:07 pm

Route Climbed: Worms Flows/Swift Glacier Date Climbed: May 19th, 2004  Sucess!

My first mountain. Unfortunate I was already 20 years old. A great, long day hike from June Lake Trailhead. Overcast at lower elevations but broked out of the clouds at about 6,000ft. (Never get completely discouraged because of the NW weather.) Beyond that conditions were more than perfect. A really nice introduction to high mountains.

Koohnavard

Koohnavard - Jan 16, 2006 12:27 pm

Date Climbed: May 1988  Sucess!

May 1988 was my first climb on this mountain, it was with the Boy Scouts. Since then I've climbed it 7 times, just because it's there.

Tnarg

Tnarg - Dec 30, 2005 4:54 pm

Route Climbed: Monitor Ridge Date Climbed: August 1997  Sucess!

My buddy Jason and I climbed it on a heck of a hot day. I had a lousy backpack, and as soon as we hit timberline, the zipper broke open, and I watched all of my precious water soak into the ash 10 ft below. Not wanting to turn back (After the lottery at Jacks!) I bummed off my partner. An outstanding hike, but I was way dehydrated and sick for 2 days! Still worth it though. Hope to do it again someday!

setrent - Dec 26, 2005 9:54 pm

Route Climbed: Swift Creek Date Climbed: 10 April, 2004  Sucess!

An excellent ski ascent.

mandrake

mandrake - Oct 31, 2005 7:47 pm

Route Climbed: Swift Creek Date Climbed: May 13, 2004  Sucess!

Bit clouded in on the summit, but otherwise great climb.

indianhillsted - Oct 28, 2005 5:19 pm

Route Climbed: Monitor Ridge Date Climbed: June 2001  Sucess!

Great day, low clouds, 3000ft glissade!

Franko1946 - Oct 2, 2005 11:12 pm

Route Climbed: Dog's Head Date Climbed: June 1977  Sucess!

As we crossed the crater we joked about the mountain erupting (at this time there was no hint of what was to come).

Brian Frederick

Brian Frederick - Sep 29, 2005 9:53 pm

Route Climbed: Leschi Glacier (deceased) Date Climbed: july 1979  Sucess!

Climbed just months before the first blow almost right over the blast site. This was an absolutely beautiful mountain.

dicey - Sep 21, 2005 12:55 pm

Route Climbed: worm flow Date Climbed: 1999,2000,2001  Sucess!

Fun spring ski/snowboard destination

SusanM

SusanM - Sep 6, 2005 7:24 am

Route Climbed: Surrounding areas Date Climbed: September 4, 2005

All my intentions to climb this peak were there, but the restrictions are still in place. Still, there are multiple beautiful hikes to do in the surrounding areas, which made the trip worth it.

vancouver islander

vancouver islander - Sep 2, 2005 6:21 pm

Route Climbed: Monitor Ridge Date Climbed: July 12, 2000  Sucess!

Straightforward solo walk up from Climber's Bivouac. Left at 7am, summit just before noon. Climbed on snow whenever possible. Crystal clear air quality on top with spectacular views. This was only my second Cascade volcano so the views were all new and all the more breathtaking for it. I never got better clarity on any of my subsequent climbs. Found a descent route completely on snow and down in 1.5h - to find my truck had a flat. The only negative in an outstanding day. Hope the mountain will re-open to climbing one day.

2skinners - Aug 24, 2005 5:53 am

Route Climbed: Monitor Ridge Date Climbed: September 24, 2004  Sucess!

I climbed this mountain with my nephew, Jeff. This was my first REAL mountain that I have climbed and now I am hooked. My wife did not have the energy to climb this mountain but she hung out with her friend at the Johnston Observatory across from the summit wondering what all the news vans were doing there. Apparently, the mountain decided to wake up and there had been hundreds of earthquakes unbeknownst to me or my nephew. However, I did summit and had my first experience glissading which was a blast and it shaved time off of my descent. The Mountain was closed down for climbing after the next day and has not reopened since due to increased volcanic activity. I feel truly blessed to have been one of the last people to have summited this great peak. The next morning we were camped out a Silver Lake and my wife awoke to an earthquake early in the morning, so I made the executive suggestion that we all drive up to the Mountain and watch the sunrise. Not a smart idea, but hey the sunrise was pretty even if I was the only one awake to enjoy it. The mountain "Burped," impressively I might add a week later. I Definately will climb this magnificent peak again if it ever allows us to. I also must add that since seeing my pictures from the summit of St. Helens my wife has started climbing with me and is now hooked too.

jnoffsinger

jnoffsinger - Jul 17, 2005 10:26 pm

Route Climbed: Monitor Ridge Date Climbed: November 1, 2003  Sucess!

Spectacular! Much different climb than Colorado 14ers. More elevation gain, but less altitude. I cruised up to the ridge solo. Very clear day. Great views of Adams, Hood, and Rainier.

bbirtle

bbirtle - Jul 7, 2005 12:54 pm

Route Climbed: Normal/Tourist Route Date Climbed: Aug 15, 1999  Sucess!

Good fun with three good friends, but unfortunately all in near white out. Followed a rock ridge, although thinking back on it it probably would have been easier to ski up or climb up with crampons the snow ridge just to the left. Would be nice to do again in good weather.

shunra - Jun 2, 2005 8:30 pm

Route Climbed: From Climbers' Bivouac Date Climbed: 11 September 2004  Sucess!

Good way to avoid the hysteria of this day.

Climbed to the rim. Excellent weather conditions.

roger3k

roger3k - May 3, 2005 2:24 am

Route Climbed: Monitor Ridge Date Climbed: March 21, 2004  Sucess!

My first mountain! I remember the eruption as a child and could see the mountain from my home in Central Washington, it only took 20+ more years to climb it!

Alpine Eric - Apr 29, 2005 4:04 pm

Route Climbed: Moitor Ridge Date Climbed: May 1, 2000  Sucess!

When I lived in Seattle I skied St. Helens every year just before the season requiring a permit to climb started in June.

Derek Franzen

Derek Franzen - Apr 26, 2005 10:47 am

Route Climbed: Monitor Ridge Date Climbed: July 10 2003  Sucess!

With daughter Kelsi, 2 hours from climbers bivouac. Just didn't realize how huge the area of devastation was from the original eruption.

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