Mt. St. Helen's recent conditions?

[kbhiker]

Has anyone hiked Mt. St. Helen's in the last few days? Just wondering what the snow conditions are after all the rain-

TIA

[droutt]

I'll be scrambling up the mountain tomorrow - was hoping someone would have posted a report.

 

[Westycrew]

Hiked on July 22, 2011. No problem in hiking boots and no extra gear. But if your going to have some fun on the way down an ice axe was nice. If your just going to walk down an ice axe was not needed. Snow from the trail start to end but for the steeps rocks/dirt slopes were available. Had good conditions with sun on the 22nd. Hope this helps.

[Westycrew]

Forgot to add that ski poles/hiking poles were helpful but not required.

[droutt]

Went up on the 22nd, very snowy even in the woods to timberline. They have changed the trail so need to watch for the blue diamond & pink tape that marks the trail in.

 

The group that I went up with rented crampons and ice axes from REI. They wanted the type that slip on your hiking boots but REI was out and rented them boots that their crampons attach too. These were not appropriate for this hike and caused some shin injuries to three of the team. Disappointed in REI staff member, the person should have been aware of the local mountain conditions.

 

Needless to say, the hard boots really slowed us down and we ran out of time to summit. With the woods in the condition they were, I didn't want to be wandering through there in the dark.

 

We glissaded down to where you turn to go back down to timberline. Plastic bags and ice axes are a must.

 

One of our younger team members dropped her REI ice axe rental. Was hoping someone found it and turned it in.

 

Hiking boots get the job done, I had the slip on crampons and that was enough to trek through some of the snow...allow extra time to get to timberline. Trekking poles are a must and sunblock - gets toasty up there with the reflection of the snow.

 

Snow is melting fast. Crevices are opening up in the snow so keep that in mind if you are going to glissade down so you can plan your buttski route down.

 

 

[jgregory]

Thanks, this is a good trip report.

 

By chance were the REI boots the blue inflexible boots? I've had several friends go to REI and be given these boots for MSH and Adams climbs and these are the worst boots you could wear.

 

If you're renting gear go to OMC on Sandy - their boot and policy is far better than REIs.

 

 

[droutt]

Yes...those were the boots.