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Bingy253
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Bingy253
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PostFri Apr 12, 2019 10:39 pm 
I'm hiking up to the top of Mt. St Helens late May. I'm trying to figure out the best waterproof jacket to wear. Those here who have hiked up the mountain what waterproof jacket do you wear? Should i just wear a very lightweight raincoat over my 2 other layers or do i need a little heavier rain coat like a columbia watertight 2? Thoughts?

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Malachai Constant
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Malachai Constant
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PostFri Apr 12, 2019 10:47 pm 
Or helium

"You do not laugh when you look at the mountains, or when you look at the sea." Lafcadio Hearn
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Cyclopath
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Cyclopath
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PostFri Apr 12, 2019 10:48 pm 
Layers are always better. It's a lot of work going up, and you won't be making as much heat coming down.

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awilsondc
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awilsondc
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PostSat Apr 13, 2019 7:00 am 
You'll definitely want something that will protect you from rain should you encounter it, but also wind which is common up there. That Columbia jacket (I assume you already have) will probably be just fine to bring and hopefully it stays in your pack and you never need to put it on. If you're in the market for one, the one feature that Columbia jacket doesn't have that would be handy is pit zips for better breathability in case you ever need to hike up hill with it on.

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RichP
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PostSat Apr 13, 2019 11:47 am 
I carry a big black plastic bag and cut some holes for arms and head. If it really rains a lot, no jacket will keep you completely dry, no matter what it costs or the claims made. Not breathable but works well on the descent when not producing as much heat. A wide brimmed hat helps too.

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CC
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CC
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PostSun Apr 14, 2019 10:29 pm 
Well here is an example of the conditions you may see on St Helens in late May. This was the sleet/white-out stage on the summit, which followed the the rain and snow stages lower down.
St Helens
St Helens

First your legs go, then you lose your reflexes, then you lose your friends. Willy Pep
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Bingy253
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PostMon Apr 15, 2019 12:53 pm 
Ah thanks for the pic. Yeah i think a slightly heavier waterproof jacket is better than a paper thin rain jacket.

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Randito
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PostMon Apr 15, 2019 8:25 pm 
I think a windproof jacket + the garbage bag is the way to go. If the weather forecast is poor, don't go. It took me four attempts to summit St Helens successfully. We got to a certain elevation and headed down because of conditions. One time it was 70mph winds, another time it was St Elmo's fire dancing off the picks of our ice axes, another time pure white out ( and 40 mph winds) Don't buy the marketing nonsense that a high tech clothing let's you climb in poor conditions. The best jacket in the world does nothing against lighting strikes or stepping off a cliff in the fog.

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moonspots
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moonspots
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PostTue Apr 16, 2019 9:19 am 
RandyHiker wrote:
another time it was St Elmo's fire dancing off the picks of our ice axes,
Whoa! Now that would be something to see! Perhaps a bit unnerving though.

"Out, OUT you demons of Stupidity"! - St Dogbert, patron Saint of Technology
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Randito
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Randito
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PostTue Apr 16, 2019 9:45 am 
moonspots wrote:
RandyHiker wrote:
another time it was St Elmo's fire dancing off the picks of our ice axes,
Whoa! Now that would be something to see! Perhaps a bit unnerving though.
We didn't spend any time amazing at it, immediately sprinting downhill. This happened on Sunday of Memorial Day Weekend 1976 on top of "The Dog's Head" -- a place that no longer exists.

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