skip to content

Swift Creek

 

 

 

bullet Climb 12 miles/20 km with 5,665'/1,727m elevation gain
bullet

Price includes guides, door-to-door transportation, climb permits, equipment, and lunch.  Please contact us for rates.
bullet We can do this climb December through May, given guide availability and acceptable weather conditions.  Please e-mail or call 1-866-936-0910 to schedule a climb.
bullet Climb (Monday through Friday only, April through October - Any day November - March) when guides and permits are available.
bullet This climb can be done as a Ski Mountaineering Trip if snow conditions are appropriate

 

  The Swift Creek route is the standard winter/early spring route on Mt. St. Helens.  It's a longer climb than the Monitor Ridge Route, and you will want to be in good condition to enjoy this climb.  It is named for Swift Creek which we follow up to tree line on snowshoes, if necessary.  It's usually a snow climb from the Marble Mountain Sno-Park.  It is a non-technical climb, but we will carry crampons and an ice axe.  We provide basic instruction in the use of the ice axe and walking with crampons during the climb.

We will typically leave Portland about 4 AM and drive to Cougar, WA, where we pick up our permits.  We then drive to the Marble Mountain Sno-Park at 2,700', and snowshoe/ski/hike up the Swift Creek Trail for about three miles to just above the beginning of Swift Creek drainage.  We work our way up the gentle slopes, reaching the 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 below.  Mt. Rainier and Spirit Lake are framed in the gap to the North. We will, of course, be careful to not venture out on the overhanging snow cornice unless we are belayed.

We have lunch at the rim as we take in the wonderful views in all directions.   After about an hour, we will descend the same route glissading down a significant portion of the ridge.

 

REQUIRED EQUIPMENT

Clothing

bullet Leather or plastic climbing boots
bullet Wool or polypropylene socks with liners
bullet Polypropylene or equivalent thermal underwear tops and bottoms
bullet Warm sweater, fleece jacket, or wool shirt
bullet Warm pants
bullet Gore-Tex (or other water-resistant material) Parka
bullet Gore-Tex (or other water-resistant material) Wind pants/climbing bibs
bullet Sun hat
bullet Gloves/Mittens with windproof shells
bullet Warm hat
bullet Gaiters to keep scree/snow out of your boots
bullet Clothes to change into at the car

In Your Summit Pack (Needs to have Ice Ax Loops)

bullet Ten Essentials
bullet Whistle
bullet Map of area
bullet Compass
bullet Headlamp/Flashlight (with extra batteries and bulb or another flashlight)
bullet Extra food and Clothing (wool socks, more warm things)
bullet Sunscreen and lip protection
bullet Pocket knife
bullet Lighter or matches in waterproof container
bullet Firestarter
bullet First aid kit (Absolutely no drugs or medicines that will make you drowsy or dizzy.)
bullet Two and 1/2 Quarts of Fluids
bullet Toilet Paper
bullet Small insulation pad for sitting on
bullet Handkerchief
bullet Dark Sunglasses with sideshields/Goggles (It can be bright and gritty on the mountain)
bullet Camera and Film/Memory Card

Climbing Gear

bullet Snowshoes*
bullet Ice Ax*
bullet Crampons*
bullet Trekking Poles*
bullet Helmet*

*Snowshoes, ice ax, crampons, helmet, and trekking poles are provided if you do not have your own.

Equipment Recommendations