Mount St. Helens - Worm Flows Route — Monday, May. 23, 2022

Summited yesterday for my 5th time, 2nd time on the winter route.  Last year I ski-mo’d, so this year was my first time doing a normal hiking descent.

 We started at about 3:45 AM. I would recommend starting this early or earlier due to the snow conditions.  Snow is patchy for the first 3/4 of a mile or so and then the trail is completely snow covered, although there is a section of the Boulder field that is now exposed.   Snow is slushy until the last two pitches to the summit and then it is icy in places and softer in others.  Can’t recommend snowshoes enough, unless you like to post hole for miles.   I use MSR lightning ascents which are great for this kind of terrain and can handle steeper ascents.   There were people that used snowshoes all the way to the top, my friend and I switched to crampons at the 2nd to last pitch because it is steeper than my comfort for snowshoes and I like to duck step in my crampons which was the best technique imo to ascend the steepest section (along with using my axe).  Some people got by with spikes.  
We hiked through a whiteout but the clouds parted at the summit and it was gorgeous with no wind and sunshine.  Use caution as the crater rim is heavily corniced.  
Disagree with the review that glissading is not possible.    We glissaded most of the way down until it got too flat.  The slushy snow was perfect IMO because I don’t like to get going too fast and it saved us a lot of time and energy.  If you glissade remember to ditch your crampons or spikes and make sure you know how to self arrest.    I lost control twice near the top and had to do this.    I also suggest tracking your way up so that on the way down if you’re in a whiteout you can stay on track.  We accidentally veered down the monitor ridge route right after it split because we couldn’t see anything but a few footprints- luckily I checked my Gaia and we were able to get back on course! 
one final tip is just a reminder that the snow will reflect the sun onto the undersides of everything so make sure you apply sunscreen everywhere!   Inside the nose, under chin and under arms if you take off your long sleeves!
make sure you bring plenty of water and electrolytes and have fun!