Mt. St. Helens, Swift Creek-Worm Flows

Activity Notes

This route is open year round from the Marble Mountain Snow Park, so it's usually used for early season ascents. It's about 1,000 more vertical feet than Monitor ridge. Snow can be soft early season due to the low starting elevation,  snowshoes in case. St. Helens is one of the lower and technically easier glaciated peaks in the Pacific NW, but still a strenuous climb as the starting elevation is relatively low. Overall the climb involves over 5000 feet elevation gain and 10 miles round trip. We will travel at a fairly slow but steady pace. The peak is often underestimated; exposure and route finding challenges in low visibility can make this peak a serious undertaking. Watch out for the cornices on the summit crater!

Since part of the reward of this climb is the summit views into the crater,  I will not do it if the weather forecast is poor.  I will be able to reschedule  on subsequent days the same week - so applicants should allow for some flexibility in the schedule. Weather forecasts are pretty reliable 48-72 hours in advance.

Climbers are expected to know how to use ice ax and crampons, equivalent to basic climbing school training. They need to be appropriately outfitted with clothing and footwear to handle cold and windy conditions. Since the sun can  be very bright on the snow,  good sunglasses and sunscreen are essential.