Mount St. Helens - Monitor Ridge — Tuesday, Aug. 22, 2017

My sister and I heeded others' advice and started hiking well before dawn - and it was our best decision of the day; I can't imagine ascending the mountain when the temperatures were approaching 90 degrees. We kicked off around 4.30 a.m. and were able to easily navigate with headlamps. The forested stretch is easy to follow, and it's dotted with reflective markers for good measure. (The nighttime forest is super spooky for those of us with overactive imaginations, so I was grateful that a handful of hikers preceded us and scared off any animals that might've been lurking around.) The boulder field is exceptionally well-marked too, and we had no problems following the poles up the ridge, even before dawn. This stretch is no joke, though - it's a full-body workout, and since you have to constantly puzzle out your route, it can be mentally tiring too. 

. . . but you must cherish the boulder field. Tell it you love it. Maybe give it a hug. Because as soon as you hit the final ash-covered stretch, you'll start questioning every life decision that has led you to this moment in time. It's basically like climbing an absurdly steep sand dune, sinking to your ankles and sliding down a few inches with every step. Such. a. slog.

But! The payoff is one of the most remarkable summits you'll find in the PNW - I could've stared at the snow and the steam vents for hours. We got lucky and saw a helicopter land on the lava dome and deposit a pair of humans and a few boxes of equipment, which I presume was some sort of government-sponsored scientific endeavor. (Or a new escape-the-volcano reality show . . . ?) We lingered for about half an hour before making our descent, which included about a quarter-mile of the most spastic glissading ever witnessed on Mt. St. Helens. Finally returned to the trailhead about eight hours after our original departure. 

Besides the basics, stuff you must/might want to bring includes:

• Gloves. Non-negotiable if you don't want to return with bloody arm stumps.
• Gaiters. I skipped 'em - my ankle boots were sufficient - but they were critical for my running shoe-clad sister.
• Poles. I could've gone without them, but it was nice to have the extra support for the ash field.
• Gatorade. Sometimes you really need this sugary nonsense. Monitor Ridge is one of those times.
• Hat/sunglasses/neck protection. Such sun. Much exposure.