Mount St. Helens - Worm Flows Route — Saturday, May. 11, 2019

Follow the typical volcano rules for this hike. This is my fourth year in a row doing St Helens. Cover your skin as much as you can and apply sunscreen often. Even lip balm as ur lips will be bacon at the end of the day if you aren’t careful. 

We left a full parking lot around 2am and were among some of the first people up heading toward the mountain. We were tired but overhead was the entire universe to remind us how little we were. Our group consisted of 5 people and I was the only person who had been to the summit before today. 3 of the 5 had never been on a volcano hike. 

Sunrise was a classic as Mt Adams came into view in a golden sunrise. Further south, Hood and Jefferson became visible to the eye. 

Sun broke around 5:30-6am and we were already around monitor ridge when this occurred. We put on crampons although most today were using micro spikes. Ice axes were brought by all team members but not used until the glissade on the way down. 

We reached the top by 9am. I am the most experience in the group but I struggled more today than anyone. Some days you just don’t have it. Happy for all of my friends to have gotten to the top on their first try. 

Many people who left at 4-5am we’re coming up as we flew down the glissade chutes on our butts. The early hiker doesn’t have to follow a line of people to the top. 

A classic trip. Great weather. Too warm. Oddly there were warm breezes even at 2-3am on the mountain that made me wish I was in a T-shirt. Very weird. 

Snow is melting fast. Good trip. Head out here soon. Enjoy the pictures and i will likely post some go pro footage below as well