Started the trek around 3:30am on 5/31, and were halfway up the mountain by the time the sun rose. We got lucky with absolutely perfect conditions, not a cloud in sight and from the top we had clear views of Rainier, Adams, Hood, Jefferson, and even middle sister way to the south and Baker way up north. We made it up just fine with microspikes, but starting early helped a lot as the snow became slushy after 10am or so. We glissaded down most of the way, it was super fun but we got soaked. Made it back to the car by 1pm. One of the most fun hikes I’ve done and my first (but not last) of the cascades!

I summited Mount Saint Helens for the first time yesterday with a group of other first-timers. What an awesome experience. We climbed the boulders along the ridge up to the weather station vs hiking up the snowpath. That seemed to be a great option for keeping more muscles engaged rather than just the usual hiking muscles. Equipment-wise, we used gaiters, crampons, microspikes and an ice axe for glissading down. A few of us also wore waterproof socks in addition to the gaiters and that combination was the real MVP. 

The snow was quite slushy by late morning and early afternoon, so crampons were more ideal than microspikes although microspikes will do the job if that’s all you have.

The last mile up to the summit seems to go on forever…and ever… but I promise you it eventually does end. Slow and steady will get you there just fine.

The road up to the trailhead was amusing. Not the best condition, but they have it very well marked when you are coming upon an area that should be avoided. It is passable for all vehicles, but don’t use this road to fulfill your racecar driving dreams. You’ll break your suspension.

Hiked up with splitboard.  Started on trailhead about 3:30AM, summit about 9:30AM, back at the parking lot by 12:30PM.  Snow was still frozen my entire ascent, but was slushy around 6,000' and below on my late-morning descent.

The snow line was higher than I expected.  Intermittent snow around 4,000', not enough to really skin up consistently until closer to 5,000'.  Due to melt/freeze cycle, the snow was very icy at lower elevations (4,000' - 7,000') in the early morning, so I ended up hiking in my boots to about 7,500' where the snow was thicker/softer and skinning seemed easier.

I saw a lot of folks out both hiking and skiing.  At this point I am inclined to say that skiing is diminishing returns until next season.  It is a minimum of 3 mile hike (both in and out) on bare ground before/after being able to ski and that distance will only increase. 

Climbed Worm Flows 05/28. Found Galaxy S10 in snow at 6130’ still working. 

Hiked Worm Flows on Memorial Day. It’s all snow from a couple miles in. I recommend an alpine start by at least 3 a.m. for the best snow conditions, and to avoid the peak of the sun. I used crampons and recommend them, but snowshoes with a climbing bar and good teeth could also get the job done. Also bring an ice axe for glissading.

I started at 5:30 a.m. and made it up in a little under 4 1/2 hours. There are orange flags well back from the cornice marking the safe zone. Got burned despite wearing a hat and sun hoodie. The snow was pretty sticky and slushy, but I still had fun glissading down.