TR: St. Helens is kind of a gimp mtn.

**Dug** · 05-10-2009, 07:02 PM

Nevertheless, 2 boarders, 2 tele'ers, and 1 alpine'er decided that 4/18/09 would be a good weekend to get trashed, climb an active volcano, and ski some LIQUID HOT MAGMA!

Got to the trailhead the day before, made camp, and went to bed way too late. Regardless, we woke up in time to blue skies and a great view.

We couldn't skin for long though. Despite a late start, the entire mountain was a sheet of ice and skinning was near impossible. We ended up having to bootpack the entire thing. Adams on the left. Hood on the horizon. Bachelor was visible, but not on film.

It is critical that one stays hydrated when in the high-alpine. Cheers to Mt. Hood.

The mountain wasn't warming up anytime soon so apart from "hydrating", we spent a lot of time napping.

We did eventually mosey on up to the crater rim though and were greeted with a nice view.

Cheers to Rainier! Spirit Lake in the valley.

Adams close-up.

Gearing up for the descent with Rainier on the left and Adams on the right.

A better look at the crater rim.

And the smoking cone of LIQUID HOT MAGMA.

We did eventually come down off the mountain though. Things were finally starting to soften up a bit. We had to make a speedy escape from the pyroclastic flows.

Looking for ways to play with an active volcano.

A good day.

I thanked St. Helens for keeping her cool.

**P_McPoser** · 05-10-2009, 07:09 PM

Nice TR. St Helens is gorgeous.

**noparking** · 05-10-2009, 11:03 PM

I've always wanted to go up there and do that. How easy of a boot pack was it? and how long did it take?

**AsheanMT** · 05-11-2009, 12:17 AM

The one thing that could make this TR better is if it had some bacon in it. Otherwise, good job.

**TyeStick** · 05-11-2009, 12:20 AM

I feel lazy, now.

**rehabit** · 05-11-2009, 05:15 AM

I feel like skiing now... and eating bacon for some reason

your photographic journalism is most appreciated!

**Dug** · 05-11-2009, 06:05 PM

Originally Posted by noparking

I've always wanted to go up there and do that. How easy of a boot pack was it? and how long did it take?

Everything was pretty much rock hard but there was already an established boot pack on the normal worm flows route. It was pretty unpleasant doing it in alpine boots and it would have been miles faster on skins but considering it was there already, not too bad.

We took our time so from Marble Mtn Sno-Park it took us about 5 and a half hours. A fitter group that isn't stopping for lunch, naps, beer, tomfoolery, etc. could easily do it in about 4 hours and a lot less if it's skinnable.

There's not much point charging up a mountain like this though. The skiing is low angle for the most part and we had to wait until around 1:30pm before things looked like they'd be any fun to slide on. There's something to be said about harvesting wide open smooth corn fields with over 5K vert though...

**2nd mate** · 05-11-2009, 08:58 PM

Most excellent TR!

**thin cover** · 05-11-2009, 09:17 PM

nice, well done TR

**LightRanger** · 05-11-2009, 11:36 PM

You had me at PBR.

**clarnitty** · 05-12-2009, 11:16 AM

good to know i'm not the only one who drinks and skis on volcanoes

**Lostinthetrees** · 05-13-2009, 06:43 AM

Originally Posted by Dug

...The skiing is low angle for the most part .... There's something to be said about harvesting wide open smooth corn fields with over 5K vert though...

5k vert of harvesting...ha! not too shabby.

congrats. beautiful day, great scenics and thnx 4 sharing.