Mount St. Helens Climb - September 18, 2009

Jim & Micky ready to climb, from the Climbers Bivouac!

Mount St. Helens South Side, the start of the 10 mile round trip "nontechnical scramble" gaining 4,500 ft in 5 miles. Ptarmigan Trail climbs 1/100 ft in 2 1/4 miles to timberline at 4,800 ft. elevation. Above timberline the route climbs steeply through blocky lava flows and loose pumice and ash. From timberline the route is marked with large wooden posts to about 7,000 ft. elevation. The upper 1,300 ft. of the route is unmarked and covered with loose, rock, pumice and ash.

79 degrees and sunny!

Almost to the timberline.

This is one of many rock piles they had to scramble up. Note white post at top......there was a trail of posts that they followed to the top. When they got to the top of these rocks there was another mountain of rocks and this continued about 7 times over. They scrambled up these rocks for about 2 miles, sometimes on all fours. Straight up.....no switchbacks here! This was followed by the last 1,300 ft. of loose rock, pumice and ash and was almost like climbing in gravel. Very difficult, making the rim a wonderful sight!!

At 8364 ft. the view from the rim of the crater was spectacular! You see Mt. Rainier in the distance. They could also see Mt. Adams, Mt. Hood and Mt. Jefferson.

"King of the World!"

"Queen of the World!"

However, when the King and Queen arrived back at the trailhead, after 9 hours of hiking/climbing they didn't look quite so regal!!! They both said it was a tough hike but an awesome experience!!