We are planning to do a training climb of Mt. St. Helens in preparation for our June climb of Mt. Rainier! This climb will be a great milestone as we build up our training.
Mt. St. Helens is located about 100 miles south and Seattle. Climbing the mountain is popular amongst both beginning and experienced mountaineers. Here is an excerpt from the US Forest Service’s website about the climb:
Most climbers use the Monitor Ridge Route from Climbers Bivouac. This route gains 4,500 feet in five miles to the crater rim at 8,365 feet elevation. Although strenuous, this non-technical climb is suitable for people in good physical condition who are comfortable scrambling on steep, rugged terrain. Most climbers complete the round trip in seven to twelve hours.
We are targeting Saturday, May 15th as a possible date to organize a group to head down to the mountain. A climbing permit is required, and only costs $22. Some of us have purchased permits already. You can check on permit availability before buying. You can purchase permits from this site.
– Joel
Are you guys thinking of doing the hike in one day, doing an overnight on the mountain, or staying down there the night before for an early start?
I think we will head down Friday night and stay overnight somewhere near by. Then wake up early on Saturday and do it in one day. We haven’t nailed the logistics for trip down yet.
This souds awesome! Do you know of the group size yet? How many permits can they give out in one day?
It sounds like they are limited to 100 permits per day and, as of this posting, there are still 57 spots available for May 15th. Right now we have about 6-8 people confirmed for the climb so definitely go grab a permit if you’d like to come along.
Sounds awesome guys, count me in. Any advice on the type of equipment needed for the climb? For instance, I don’t have an ice axe and will probably plan on renting one – unless you need one to get up here. Using something twice is probably enough to get past the family budgetary process 🙂
Hey Bob I’m guessing we may need ice axes, boots and potentially crampons although I think it really depends on how much snow is on the upper 3rd of the mountain. I am planning on bringing a bunch of my Rainier gear to test out but know that some of the other climbers are going light and not bringing any equipment. At the end of the day it’s really your call but I can put together an email saying we “need the gear” if that will give you the green light to purchase some extra gear 🙂
All, the adventX Fit2Climb training schedule has just been finalized for 2010 (http://theadventxblog.wordpress.com/fit2climb/). A key is that they are planning a hike up to Muir on May 16th. I think this would be a great climb to do as well as St. Helens.
Anyone interested in doing both of these? If so, we’d have to delay St. Helens for a week?
They have changed their webside so the link above to purchase permits no longer works. The working URL is:
http://www.active.com/outdoors-membership/amboy-wa/mount-st-helens-climbing-permits-2010
Thanks for the heads up Kevin. I’ve gone ahead and updated the links to reflect the updated URL.
Thy and I have permits also – so count us in.
Awesome! It sounds like we’re gonna have a pretty large group that weekend so I’m starting to get pumped up! There has been some talk about trying to lock down a block of hotel rooms in the area for Friday or Saturday night, are you guys interested in staying down there? As of now we’re leaning towards Friday so we’re able to get an early start on Sat AM. Thoughts?
I bought a permit for May 15. I’m up for camping somewhere on friday and maybe saturday night, or camp friday, hotel saturday, or hotel friday night and drive back saturday night.
Since I have only been here for 11 months, and have no hiking gear to speak of, I guess I should use this opportunity to buy some kit. All my hiking to date has been fair weather hiking, generally in trainers, shorts and a quick-wicking layer. I have a number of base and mid-layers from sking, but no hiking specific trousers. Are these needed? Are gaiters needed? I have a mountain hardwear synchro soft shell – will this be enough?! Or do I need another layer? What footwear are people planning to hike in? Are mountaineering boots required, or will hiking boots suffice?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated!