Butte Camp

ST. HELENS BUTTE CAMP ROUTE

	Two day trip from Portland area
	Climb 13 Miles round trip with 5,200' elevation gain
	Rates: 1 person: $600 each, 2 persons: $550 each, 3-4 persons: $500 each, 5-10 persons: $450 each. Includes guide, door-to-door transportation, climbing equipment, tents, climb permits, and food.
	Some climbs have optional orientation sessions offered through Portland Community College (PCC). At the session, you will have the opportunity to meet your guide and party members, see the equipment, and discuss the climb and the schedule, and get any questions answered.

We can do it anytime snow is on the route and guides and permits are available. (After April 1, Monday through Thursday departures only under the terms of our Special Use Permit.) Go to Sign-up Form, call (877) 965-5100, or e-mail to make your reservation. A 50% deposit is required. For cancellations two weeks or less prior to the scheduled climb, we will retain $25.00 of the deposit to cover the non-refundable permit charge if the spot is not filled.

We typically do Butte Camp route as an overnight trip. It's a leisurely trip with a higher degree of solitude than the more heavily used Monitor Ridge Route. It also provides you the opportunity to learn about snow camping techniques during usually milder Spring conditions. It is my favorite way to climb St. Helens.

We will typically leave Portland about 6 AM and drive to Cougar, WA, where we pick up our permits.

Winter/Early Spring Climbs:
We drive to Cougar Sno-Park at 2,250' and snowshoe or ski to just below Timberline at 4,800'.

Late Spring Climbs
We drive to Redrock Pass at 3,116'. We cross over a lava field, meadows and mixed forest, hiking 4 miles to our camp site just below the Loowit Trail at 4,800'.

We'll set-up camp and practice our ice axe and glissading techniques. Your guide(s) will prepare dinner while you relax and enjoy the mountain experience. Following dinner we'll have a pre-climb briefing and get our summit packs ready. We get up at 6 AM, have breakfast and head directly for the summit. In about four hours we should reach the summit rim at 8,365'.

The view from the rim is fantastic as we look down 2,000' feet into the crater with the lava dome steaming below. Mt. Rainier is framed in the gap to the North. Prior to approaching the edge of the rim, we will determine if we need to set-up anchors for a secure belay.

We have lunch at the rim as we take in the wonderful views in all directions. After about an hour (depending on conditions) we begin our descent. It's a straight shot down and if snow conditions are good we can glissade almost into camp. After a snack break, we'll pack-up camp and hike out to Redrock Pass/Cougar Sno-Park. We can change clothes and have a refreshing cool drink. We then take a last look at the mountain and return to Portland, knowing we've had an experience we will remember for the rest of our lives.

REQUIRED EQUIPMENT

Clothing

	Leather or plastic climbing boots
	Wool or polypropylene socks with liner socks (help prevent blisters)
	Polypropylene or equivalent thermal underwear tops and bottoms
	Warm sweater, fleece jacket, or wool shirt
	Warm pants
	Gore-Tex (or other water-resistant material) Parka
	Gore-Tex Wind pants/climbing bibs
	Sun hat
	Gloves/Mittens with windproof shells
	Warm hat
	Headband
	Gaiters to keep snow out of your boots

In Your Summit Pack - Needs Ice Ax Loops

Ten Essentials

	Whistle
	Map of area
	Compass
	Headlamp/Flashlight (with extra batteries and bulb or another flashlight)
	Extra food and Clothing (wool socks, more warm things)
	Sunscreen and lip protection
	Pocket knife
	Lighter or matches in waterproof container
	Firestarter
	First aid kit (Absolutely no drugs or medicines that will make you drowsy or dizzy.)

Two and 1/2 Quarts of Fluids

Toilet Paper

Small insulation pad for sitting on

Handkerchief

Dark Sunglasses with sideshields/Goggles (It can be bright on the mountain)

Camera and memory card/film

Climbing Gear

	Ice Ax*
	Crampons*
	Trekking Poles*

Backpack - needs Ice Ax Loops and needs to be large enough (5,500+ cu. in.), to carry your gear and your share of group gear. Porter Support is available!

Camping Gear (*We will provide ice ax, crampons, trekking poles, snowshoes, tents, cooking equipment, and food)

	Warm Sleeping Bag
	Sleeping Pads (one ensolite and one Thermarest recommended)
	Cup, Bowl, & Spoon

We can arrange for you to rent plastic climbing boots, backpacks, sleeping pads, and sleeping bags.

For Equipment Recommendations click here.