ST. HELENS MONITOR RIDGE ROUTE

2008 Scheduled Climbs:

Updated as of 6/29/2008
 

Give us a call at 877 965-5100 to discuss scheduling a climb. For non-scheduled dates, check the active.com link to see if permits are available and we will see if a guide is available also.
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Go to Sign-up Form, call (877) 965-5100, or e-mail to make your reservation.  A 50% deposit is required.  For cancellations, we will retain $25.00 of the deposit to cover the non-refundable permit charge if the spot is not filled.

View from the rim of Mt. St. Helens (Prior to October 2004)

View from the rim of Mt. St. Helens (21 July 2006).  The old lava dome (photo above) is visible just to the right of the smooth face of the new dome.

The Monitor Ridge route is the most popular route on Mt. St. Helens.  The route was closed between September 2004 and  July 20, 2006.  It is named for the two tripod mounts that used to have laser monitors installed on the ridge that measured any swelling of the mountain.  As of July 2006, the tripods have new sensor packages mounted on them. It's mostly a snow climb in early season , gradually becoming a trail with some rock scrambling by mid-summer.  It is a non-technical climb, but we carry crampons and an ice axe when there is snow.  We provide basic instruction in the use of the ice axe and walking with crampons as we start the climb.

                                                                                                                          Monitor Ridge

We typically leave Portland about 4 AM and drive to Cougar, WA, where we pick up our permits and register.  We then drive to the Climbers' Bivouac at 3,800', and head up the Ptarmigan Trail for about two miles.  At about 4,700' we reach the base of Monitor Ridge and begin our climb.  Following large posts marking the route, we hike and occasionally scramble up the ridge, 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 constantly growing lava dome below.  The USGS estimates that the equivalent of about a dump-truck load of lava per minute is being extruded out of the crater.  The rocks on the dome make constant tinkling sounds as they slide down the base of the dome and steam billows from  several vents around and on the dome.  Mt. Rainier and Sprit Lake are framed in the gap to the North.  In early season, we will, of course, be careful to not venture out on the overhanging snow cornice unless we are securely belayed.

Approaching the Rim

We have lunch at the rim as we take in the wonderful views in all directions.   After about an hour, depending on conditions, we will descend the same route.  When there is enough snow we can glissade down a significant portion of the ridge.  Returning to the Climbers' Bivouac, 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.
 

Clothing

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

Climbing Gear

Volcano Safety Gear

We will monitor the USGS reports on volcanic activity on St. Helens and will not climb if there is the expectation of hazardous activity.  Current assessment is that internal pressure is constantly being released and the potential for an eruptive event is very low.  We will carry the above gear as a precaution in case an event should occur when we are on the mountain.

*OPA will provide this equipment as appropriate, if you do not have your own.   We can rent packs and other gear to you.