[TR] Mt Saint Helens- - Swift glacier 1/16/2013

[Taluscat]

Trip: Mt Saint Helens- - Swift glacier

 

Date: 1/16/2013

 

Trip Report:

CC,Katie and I climbed an skiied this snow cone w/o the top yesterday and found various conditions troughout the course of the climb and descent.

Left the car at 730 on skis and were able to stay mounted until aprx 7500k were we encountered wind packed snow/rhime ice and sections of blue ice with a light dust of yeao on top.without crampons it made the final 1000k slow though we managed to kick steps into the blue ice(toes are plumbs now) and summit at 130 with not another soul up there,ventured in awe along the rim and took photos of all the other volcanoes we could see- the views were amazing-traversed along the rim in an easterly direction and skiied a nice line with fairly good snow though firm and sticky at times all the way back to the car.the section through the woods was like a luge with lots of whoops and was fatiguing though the energy of a stupendous day on normally a crowded peak with amazing w/x made it all worthwhile..

 

Gear Notes:

Skis,skins, BSP and warm layers

 

Approach Notes:

bring crampons to expedite the climb up.if you cant wait for better conditions