Overview
Curriculum
Itinerary
Details
Related Courses

Mt. Saint Helens Skills and Climb

Overview

Climbing Mount St. Helens is a very unique opportunity considering its historical 1980 eruption. The flanks of this Southern Cascade Volcano offer fantastic beginner level ascents while climbing past volcanic debris and lava tube. Mount Saint Helens is considered an ideal peak for those who would like a solid introduction to snow climbing and general mountaineering skills while enjoying stunning views of the surrounding country.

Since this is a private trip, you can build your own custom itinerary with the skills you would like to learn, such as camping, mountaineering, and snow climbing skills.

Mt. Saint Helens Skills and Climb

Curriculum

Climbing Skills:

Selection & use of personal equipment
Selection & use of ropes, knots, & harnesses
Selection & use of rock, snow, & ice anchors for belays & intermediate protection
Belaying techniques on snow
Principles of off trail travel & route finding
Use of an ice axe in a variety of positions
The concept & application of the self-belay

Leave No Trace travel, camping, & climbing
An introduction to alpine camping techniques
An introduction to alpine ecology
Map and compass: reading, intersection, & triangulation
Evaluation & prediction of mountain weather patterns
Introduction to alpine cooking

Mt. Saint Helens Skills and Climb

Itinerary

As this course is run on a private basis, the itinerary varies based on your desired trip. You get to work with your guide to determine the length of your trip depending if you would like to do this peak in 1 day or 3.

If climbing it in 1 day, you will meet your guide the night before to go through a gear check and go over the next day's itinerary. If you want to learn more about camping and overnight mountaineering, you can opt to add days to add more adventure and learning.

Email [email protected] for more information or register now to book a trip.

We also offer ski trips on Mt. St. Helens as long as conditions allow!

Mt. Saint Helens Skills and Climb

Details

Prerequisites

Good physical fitness
Ability to carry a 45 - 55 lb backpack for multiple hours
Stamina to hike for over 8 hours (including breaks, and with lesser pack weight)

Permitting notes - Due to its status as a National Monument, there are a limited number of permits available to climb Mt. Saint Helens. Registrations for climbs must be received more than a month before you wish to climb in order to give us enough time to secure the permit. That being said, there is still a chance that there may not be availability on your desired dates. Weekends typically fill up faster than weekdays, so please keep this in mind when planning your trip.

Inclusions - Group technical climbing equipment (personal climbing equipment is available for rent at a nominal charge), all permits and camping fees, and the guide fee.

Exclusions - Not included in the course cost is all personal clothing and climbing gear (including crampons, ice axe, harness, helmet, tent, etc), transportation, gratuities to guide, meals or snacks, or travel insurance.