South Cascades trip
| Mt Saint Helen 8,365 ft (2,550 m) |
May 30th 2007
Mount St. Helens is an active stratovolcano in Skamania County, Washington, in the Pacific Northwest
region of the United States. It is located 96 miles (154 km) south of the city of Seattle . Mount St. Helens
takes its English name from the British diplomat Lord St Helens, a friend of explorer George Vancouver.
The mountain is located in the Cascade Range and is part the Cascade Volcanic Arc, a segment of the
Pacific Ring of Fire that includes over 160 active volcanoes. This volcano is well known for its ash
explosions and pyroclastic flows.
Mount St. Helens is most famous for its catastrophic eruption on May 18, 1980, which was the deadliest
and most economically destructive volcanic event in the history of the United States. Fifty-seven people
were killed; and 250 homes, 47 bridges, 15 miles (24 km) of railways and 185 miles (300 km) of highway
were destroyed. The eruption caused a massive debris avalanche, reducing the elevation of the
mountain's summit from 9,677 ft (2,950 m) to 8,365 ft (2,550 m)
region of the United States. It is located 96 miles (154 km) south of the city of Seattle . Mount St. Helens
takes its English name from the British diplomat Lord St Helens, a friend of explorer George Vancouver.
The mountain is located in the Cascade Range and is part the Cascade Volcanic Arc, a segment of the
Pacific Ring of Fire that includes over 160 active volcanoes. This volcano is well known for its ash
explosions and pyroclastic flows.
Mount St. Helens is most famous for its catastrophic eruption on May 18, 1980, which was the deadliest
and most economically destructive volcanic event in the history of the United States. Fifty-seven people
were killed; and 250 homes, 47 bridges, 15 miles (24 km) of railways and 185 miles (300 km) of highway
were destroyed. The eruption caused a massive debris avalanche, reducing the elevation of the
mountain's summit from 9,677 ft (2,950 m) to 8,365 ft (2,550 m)
| Route Name Duration Difficulty (Alpine Grade) Elevation Gain Max Grade Season Approach Monitor Ridge 1 day I 5000 20 degrees May to Sept. Bivouac Camp |
After 4 1/2 hours climbing
We reach the Rim at
9:15Am. It is Completely
covered with snow and
dangerous cornices
We reach the Rim at
9:15Am. It is Completely
covered with snow and
dangerous cornices
The first 1/3 of the route was constant up on a very rocky terrain with a lot of loose dirt...We were quite
happy to strap the Crampons and jump on the snow....at about 4500 feet
happy to strap the Crampons and jump on the snow....at about 4500 feet
Marie,Stefan and Mike. The view from the top was amazing and looking down on the still active
and smoky crater was phenomenal. You can see the smoke rising from the "fumaroles", the
bubbling mud pots, steaming cracks, and boiling water at the right on the pictures
and smoky crater was phenomenal. You can see the smoke rising from the "fumaroles", the
bubbling mud pots, steaming cracks, and boiling water at the right on the pictures
Stacey ,Marie and Wendy going up the
Monitor ridge
Monitor ridge
As we take a break at the
summit We watch as Ernie
approaches the Mountain rim.
summit We watch as Ernie
approaches the Mountain rim.
SIDE TRIP TO APE CAVE
Polly "half-stepping" out
of the cave
of the cave
Marie & Stacey
Wendy is happy to have her
Crampons on!
Crampons on!
And as We wait for Ernie on top of the Rim, we can see to the west our next
Mountain...waiting for us...There! To the Right of Rainier is Mount Adams
Mountain...waiting for us...There! To the Right of Rainier is Mount Adams
Paul,Wendy and Tito
reaching the end of the
Cave's lower section
reaching the end of the
Cave's lower section
From the Rim to the left We could see
Mount rainier and down under Spirit
lake,still half covered with trees from the
1980's eruption.
Mount rainier and down under Spirit
lake,still half covered with trees from the
1980's eruption.