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 Happy go lucky, plaid wearin, postholin, safeway gaitor sportin, old-school film shootin, giver of many regards
Abbotsford, B.C.
Canada
13453 Posts |
Posted - 08/03/2010 : 9:34 PM
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A Dream came through this last weekend, and that was to climb Mount Saint Helens. This one has always tantalized me in my fantasies and wondered how I would get down and do it..
I remember hearing the boom on May 18, 1980 from a basement suite when I was doing undergrad studies ...and then 30 years later .
It came true as part of a group trip organized months in advance. My thanks to Allan a member of our outdoor club in Maple Ridge, for putting together our group of 8.
Climbing passes were required to climb Mount Saint Helens, hence reserved on Feb.6 $22.50 to hold this spot.
The mountain is circled by a network of trails around the lower slopes, in the forest. Once above the forest, you need the climbing pass.
We stayed over in Longview overnight, and took the long drive in on Route #503 east and were on the trail shortly after 6 a.m. At the trailhead we were introduced to this sign display.which shows the trail starting on the south and middle proximity to the mountain.
View of Mount Saint Helens, 4 km before the Trailhead..
 
Info Board with Map
Access Road to Trailhead parking lot, and start & early parts of the trail.
   
     
Forest ends, rocky rubble ahead and sign posted "climbing pass required"
   
Further up, snow areas became more extensive. Trees became rare and isolated.
       
Lot of scrambly rough lava boulders, we could see some steam arising from the summit ahead.
      
Closing in and at the Summit, what a View:
          
Time to head down, we could see a group below making their way up.
     
Dropping back down into the forest, it was a pleasant sight to amongst the forest, after traversing over what appeared to be largely a moonscape with scattered heather, flowers, and the rare tree.
 
In the car, and stopping at the open clearing this shot shows Mount Saint Helens, and a zoom of the central part showing the climbing route along a mainly rocky section..
 
Time to complete took us anywhere from 10 to 12 hours return over 16 km and 1450 meters elevation gain, through forest, lava boulders, and volcanic ash and some snow.
All of us were fatigued yet happy to visit and summit this famous mountain..
This was a great accomplishment for all of us, our friends, Julia, and I.
K |
Edited by - KARVITK on 08/04/2010 06:40 AM
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Happy go lucky, plaid wearin, postholin, safeway gaitor sportin, old-school film shootin, giver of many regards
Abbotsford, B.C.
Canada
13453 Posts |
Posted - 08/03/2010 : 9:56 PM
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Two days later, we decided to go for a drive up Route 504 north along the Toutle River to its end. Near the observatory. This was a drive, with stops at Interpretation Centers and Viewpoints.
First Interpretation Center 8 km from I5
   
Second Interpretation Center, Views.
   
At a Learning Centre.
  
Blast Zone north of the Volcano.
   
Views south from the last lookout before the Observatory:
     
Grass and Young Trees doing well, with a Stern Warning for anyone who steps off the Trail ($100)..
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Checked out the Observatory, took a walk and sign asks for $8 fee for walking to and in around there. Enough, so we head back........
Busy parking lot...lots of visitors..
K |
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289 Posts |
Posted - 08/03/2010 : 10:44 PM
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| Was up there in 82, nary a tree standing or living thing, burned out cars still lined the road, Spirit Lake was an ugly mud pit. Checking your pics, a lot has changed in 30 years! |
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Victoria, British Columbia
Canada
1762 Posts |
Posted - 08/03/2010 : 10:47 PM
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| Yeaaaah! Awesome! Definitely on my to-do list. |
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North Vancouver, BC
Canada
283 Posts |
Posted - 08/03/2010 : 10:51 PM
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| Nice one, it's cool you finally made it, beautiful area.That volcano exploded on my birthday. |
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1448 Posts |
Posted - 08/04/2010 : 12:00 AM
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Wow amazing shots and what luck to get a great weather window with your reservations.
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1355 Posts |
Posted - 08/04/2010 : 01:03 AM
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Good one, Karl!  |
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Fungi Filmin', Wine Drinkin', 'Shroom Eatin', Early Risin', Deer Whisperin', Curry Cookin', Macro Maniac
Chilliwack + Osoyoos
3618 Posts |
Posted - 08/04/2010 : 05:58 AM
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 Big pack hiker who sleeps with bears in tent and falls on slippery logs
Langley, BC
Canada
7647 Posts |
Posted - 08/04/2010 : 06:30 AM
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| Great report! I really enjoyed the photos! I didn't realize you needed to book it so far in advance... |
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Coffee swillin', wine lovin', Owl fearin' Andie McDowell stunt double, who sports retro gear
Vancouver, BC
5466 Posts |
Posted - 08/04/2010 : 10:01 AM
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It's on my to-do list too. Well done!!
I know the Observatory is worth a visit; I was there in 2005. |
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Big pack hiker who sleeps with bears in tent and falls on slippery logs
Langley, BC
Canada
7647 Posts |
Posted - 08/04/2010 : 10:31 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by wilderness_seeker
It's on my to-do list too. Well done!!
I know the Observatory is worth a visit; I was there in 2005.
I'd also highly recommend the Loowitt Trail. It still has been one of my favorite 3 day hikes. |
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north vancouver, british columbia
Canada
605 Posts |
Posted - 08/04/2010 : 12:00 PM
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Congrats!
What a great area....
I like the shot of the Komo 4 car....I did not think of checking that area out...
Thanks for the info! |
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Campbell River, BC
Canada
761 Posts |
Posted - 08/04/2010 : 7:53 PM
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| Must have been a once in a lifetime trip. Nice going! |
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Burnaby, BC
Canada
345 Posts |
Posted - 08/04/2010 : 8:03 PM
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| Karl, very cool trip report. I was looking into climbing this one and only heard that just a handful of people reach the summit, so big congrats to you! Now I need the patience to get myself a permit. |
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Happy go lucky, plaid wearin, postholin, safeway gaitor sportin, old-school film shootin, giver of many regards
Abbotsford, B.C.
Canada
13453 Posts |
Posted - 08/04/2010 : 9:16 PM
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Thank you everyone for your comments and fine compliments. This was a long sought after dream, realizing it is the high point of all the trips I have done. And to share it with Julia and friends, made it so much sweeter.
It is a sight to see new life becoming re-established on sandy and ashy spots, and amongst the rock and finding spots among the cracks. The pine tree below was a rarity high up, with patches of heather and other flowers. I figured it was 20 to 25 years old..
K |
Edited by - KARVITK on 08/04/2010 9:17 PM |
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North Vancouver, BC
Canada
1606 Posts |
Posted - 08/04/2010 : 9:45 PM
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Great TR. We did this last summer and it was amazing (hard on the knees though - bring poles!)
A quick tip on the permits: If you happen to be in the area and you drive by the store on the way in, they sometimes have extra permits from cancellations. This is how we got our permits and it sounded like there was a good chance at it working out as long as you only needed one or two. I'd recommend phoning ahead of time to get a feel for how reliable that method is. |
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Powell River, bc
Canada
2536 Posts |
Posted - 08/04/2010 : 10:02 PM
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Awesome trip for you and yours Karl!!! Love the pictures,it must feel great to finally realize the dream,good for you!!!
I find this area fasinating also,couldn't say how many documentaries about it I've seen! |
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Abbotsford, BC
Canada
723 Posts |
Posted - 08/06/2010 : 4:17 PM
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| Great trip, Karl! I can well imagine how this would have been the highlight of your hikes so far. Love your pictures - of particular interest is the one of the growing (so they say) lava dome inside the crater. You were so lucky to have had such good views; most of the time St. Helens is shrouded in clouds. Nice shot of Mt. Rainier in the distance! |
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Victoria, BC
Canada
424 Posts |
Posted - 08/06/2010 : 4:27 PM
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How ironic...
Our futile attempts to preserve the delicate stalks of wild vegitation, when the original sign was vaporized below 612 feet of new formation.
This remains on my must see list, though. Awesome pics.
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Happy go lucky, plaid wearin, postholin, safeway gaitor sportin, old-school film shootin, giver of many regards
Abbotsford, B.C.
Canada
13453 Posts |
Posted - 08/06/2010 : 8:38 PM
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Thank you Hedda and Chris. Thank you for your kind words and Yes, this was truly a special trip..
Hagensbergviking.. When you come to think it, it seems they are really emphasizing due care to preserve the new life coming back on this site. Of course all will be gone when the mountain erupts again.
K |
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269 Posts |
Posted - 08/07/2010 : 08:32 AM
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| Awesome report and beautiful photos. Thanks a million for bring it live and personal to us. This trip is on my do list!! |
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Mount St. Helens July 30, 2010
