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Ascent of Mount Saint Helens on 2011-08-18

Climber: Wm Rogers

Others in Party:

Solo----Only Party on Mountain

Date:

Thursday, August 18, 2011

Ascent Type:

Successful Summit Attained

Peak:

Mount Saint Helens

Location:

USA-Washington

Elevation:

8333 ft / 2539 m

Ascent Trip Report

Starting at 8:46, I hiked 3.2 miles to pumice plain, then moved off path, followed the East Dome lobe toward right side of hill 5314. I climbed south of East Dome, but north of Muddy River. I navigated past two rock outcroppings at 6,500 ft (on left side) and 7,200 ft (on right side). Snow fields were virtually non-existant. Everything was rock and gravel with some packed sand. I got water from at small stream in a glacier valley (7,800 ft) and continued up slowly over a bare area, reaching the rim at 8,080 ft. Dog's head was reached at 8,180 ft six and half hours after reaching trailhead. After a 30 minute scenic rest, I follow the ridgeline northward about 0.4 miles which was easy footing, even staying well clear of the rim. I descended a short section of sand, gravel and bedrock area to 7,100 ft, then continued down in a curving path toward Pumince plain. There were several stream gullies, easy to cross. It would be easier to descend the ridge, but I was not equiped for snow travel. Once I reach the ridge above windy pass, I cut down and picked up the Windy Pass trail... back to Pumice plain.

I arrived at trailhead at dusk 11 hours after start.

Summary Total Data

Elevation Gain:

6333 ft / 1928 m

Elevation Loss:

6333 ft / 1928 m

Distance:

14 mi / 22.5 km

Route Conditions:

Maintained Trail, Unmaintained Trail, Open Country, Scramble, Exposed Scramble

Weather:

Pleasant, Calm, Clear

Ascent Statistics

Elevation Gain:

5733 ft / 1746 m

Extra Loss:

600 ft / 182 m

Distance:

5.4 mi / 8.7 km

Trailhead:

Ape Canyon TH 3200 ft / 975 m

Time Up:

6 Hours 30 Minutes

Descent Statistics

Elevation Loss:

5733 ft / 1746 m

Extra Gain:

600 ft / 182 m

Distance:

8.6 mi / 13.8 km

Trailhead:

Ape Canyon TH 3200 ft / 975 m

Time Down:

5 Hours 30 Minutes

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