Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Mt Saint Helens planning help!

Hey everyone,
I just got a permit to climb Mt Saint Helens. It's for May 31st - has anyone done the climb and can offer any advice? Good equipment to take, good time to leave camp ect. I've never done the climb but it looks to be realtivly short(miles wise)but also very steep with quick altitude gain.
We are hopeing to be able to take the Monitor Ridge route even though it's still pretty early. If that option isn't open does anyone have a good place to research the Worms Flow route?

Thanks and climb safe!

Did it the first weekend the peak was reopened to climbing after the eruption back in the 80's. Monitor Ridge route was easily followed back then, not a long hike if I remember correctly. We used crampons and ice ax, no snow shoes but that would all depend on current conditions obviously. We did have an issue coming back down the route and got off course, but ended back at the car in reasonable time.

The gain is 4K+ over slightly more than 5 miles, or 11 miles RT. The only tricky part I recall was making sure where to drop off the ridge back into the trees.

Climbers Bivouac is at 4K' - don't know if the road will be open by then though, but should be an easy thing to find out in advance.

Thanks guys!
From what I have been reading Climbers Biovac doesn't appear to open even until late june/july so it looks like we will be taking the worms flow route unless it happens to be a really dry and warm season.

Take skis/splitboard and rip some corn turns.

Hi ex3145

Too early to tell. I've done Swift Creek/Worm Flows route 3 times. A long slog before you start ascending but worth it. The southern cascades just got 10" in the last 24 hours. Recommend carrying an avalanche beacon. I usually call one of the St. Helens climbing rangers just before the climb to get accurate snow conditions. Also, check NWAC and NOAA. Have a great time... It's a beautiful mountain!

Yes! I have heard that it's a good route for skiing but we will see how were feeling. I'll for sure give a call up to the area and get more info before heading up.