Climbing Mt St Helens
Climbing Mt St Helens in June, 2024 on the summer Monitor Route via the Ptarmigan Trail from Climbers Bivouac. Plan on a 12-hour, round trip climb. Our climb took 10-hours with an hour on the top. A permit is required to climb. Check weather conditions, ice axe, crampons and possibly a rope may be needed depending on snow conditions and route. Our accent started out with snow patches on the trail. Upon reaching Monitor Ridge we climbed through the rocks, then made our way to the snow. At the summit use caution, stay away from any cornices (snow ledges) as they could break off sending you into a fatal fall into the crater. On the descent, if there's snow, enjoy the glissading, use caution for hidden rocks and sink holes in the snow. Enjoy your climb.