Climb St. Helens in November

[AsthmaticClimber]

I'm thinking about going up St. Helens this Wednesday, looks like a nice day.

 

Has anyone climbed up it in early November and know what kind of snow I may run into? Just wondering if crampons and ice axe are necessary since it's only been snowing a couple weeks.

 

[Water]

report from someone who hit hood on the 31st and turned around midway up concluded that they hated snowshoeing and it was deep and fresh snow.

 

personally i'd take along an ax anyime i knew there was going to be snow.. just might not use it if it isn't warranted. secondly, if you have something like microspikes, those are a lot lighter than most crampons and have done the trick for me on st helens even when it was pretty crusty and slick in early spring. otherwise, like most things, if you don't bring them, then you will probably need them. if you bring them, you probably won't need them.

[Teh Phuzzy]

bring an ax for your hand and spikes for your feet (as well as snowshoes for the fresh pow = sloggy). You will want them to reach the cornice so you can fall in...

 

o-kay, don't fall in, but the last few hundred feet are too steep to not have them.

[CH47driver]

Teh Phuzzy, you are not fucking funny. That was my best friend that died on St Helens you fucking prick!!!

[counterfeitfake]

awesome.