Trip: Mt St Helens - Monitor Ridge
Date: 8/18/2007
Trip Report:
As promised, here is my account of CLIMBING the Cascade Jewel Mt. St. Helens:
Drove down from Seattle Friday night with TEAM VOLCANO ERUPTUS. We wallowed in traffic for much of the way, but sucked it up and pushed on all the way to Olympia (NOT MY HOMETOWN. I HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH OLYMPIA). There we had the cheapest pizza pie (size XL with softdrink for $5 at "Pizza Time" between three people) I have had in forever. Here in Olympia we found a Pole Dancing Academy around the corner from the pizza place (also teaches pilates there) which proved to be very useful the next day.
After brushing up on the pole dancing technique we pushed on for the big mountain.
Nearing the basecamp we came across information that we were in Sam-Sqanch territory. We decided to continue on, despite the danger.
I don't want to ruin anyone's onsite of the route with too much beta, but it was a glorious adventure. Unfortunately we couldn't see anything from the summit (other than a little bird and a bunch of people), so perhaps I'll have to return next year with skiis to have look.
Enjoy these pictures of our busy jewel to the south:
elk:
elk:
Dances with Poles (notice how off route dude is!!!):
Gear Notes:
Ash Gators are recommended.
Approach Notes:
Lots of traffic on I-5.
BEWARE OF SAM-SQANCH! HE HAS BEEN SIGHTED NEAR HERE!