Washington·United States
Photo: US Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Region · Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)
Mount St. Helens lost its summit in the eruption of May 1980, and the climb now ends on the rim of a vast horseshoe crater with a growing lava dome inside and Spirit Lake beyond. It is one of the most rewarding non-technical volcano climbs in the country.
In season: Apr–Jun · Peak: May–Jun
A long day of about 1,400 m of climbing on boulders, ash and snow, with a knife-edged cornice at the rim in spring. In summer the route is loose ash and rock; in winter and spring it is a snow climb.
Up the ash and boulder slope to the crater rim, permit required
The ski and snowshoe line, the quieter season
Buy the climbing permit online well ahead, as numbers are limited. Climb Monitor Ridge from Climbers Bivouac in late spring or summer, and ski or snowshoe the Worm Flows route in winter and spring.
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