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Gimpilator infinity/21M
Joined: 12 Oct 2006 Posts: 1684 | TRs | Pics Location: Edmonds, WA |
Our friend Jennifer Pharr Davis is visiting from the east coast. We had trouble deciding where to take her for the biggest possible reward day hike, but finally we agreed on Mount Saint Helens. Heather and I had been up there before, but we were both eager to return for that view overlooking the crater and lava dome and Spirit Lake.
Adams before dawn the ladies coming up first light alpenglow on peakbaggers and long-distance hikers
We drove down last night and started this morning around 2am. The sun was just starting to rise when we reached the crater rim. What a sight! Both Heather and Jennifer wore trail runners on the firm snow. Crampons and axes were not necessary, but microspikes helped on one icy section below the summit.
summit visible inside the crater mountain shadow lava dome summit!
On the way down I found the snow was perfect for some long standing glissades. I did get carried away with it however and crashed on a steeper section at high speed. My camera fell out and I didn't notice until later, so I had to climb back up to retrieve it.
two people on the rim Heather on the summit glissade chutes
We got back to the car just before 9am and decided to check out the upper Ape Cave lava tube which is 1.8 miles long. We had fun scrambling over boulders and up one 8 foot lava "waterfall". I only wish we had more time for some of the other lava tubes in my old guidebook, but the Thai Food was calling us.
ceiling formations sky light exit
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Anish Member
Joined: 07 Sep 2014 Posts: 79 | TRs | Pics
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Anish
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Mon Jun 06, 2016 7:48 pm
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Alpenglow on the summit Gimpilator approaching the summit Rainier with the Lava Dome Success! Adam with Adams
"Our way is not soft grass. It's a mountain path with lots of rocks. But it goes upwards, forward, toward the sun." -Ruth Westheimer
"Our way is not soft grass. It's a mountain path with lots of rocks. But it goes upwards, forward, toward the sun." -Ruth Westheimer
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mailboxed Member
Joined: 06 Jun 2016 Posts: 15 | TRs | Pics Location: kirkland, wa |
Great report and what cool pics! I had my three rugrats up on Memorial Day. Prime conditions are now but fading fast. Can stay in snow just about the whole way up from the treeline, climbers bivvy is open, and mid-morning snow is perfectly glissadeable. Next up is Adams on the 18th with the kiddos, a Granite-Bandera-Defiance-P3 traverse the 23rd, and a Rainier gutshot one of these coming Thursdays or Fridays.
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Redwic Unlisted Free Agent
Joined: 23 Feb 2009 Posts: 3292 | TRs | Pics Location: Going to the Prom(inence) |
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Redwic
Unlisted Free Agent
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Mon Jun 06, 2016 8:48 pm
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Looks like a great day and trip! It's amazing how many people get to the crater rim but not to the true summit. Good job!
60 pounds lighter but not 60 points brighter.
60 pounds lighter but not 60 points brighter.
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Magellan Brutally Handsome
Joined: 26 Jul 2006 Posts: 13116 | TRs | Pics Location: Inexorable descent |
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Magellan
Brutally Handsome
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Mon Jun 06, 2016 9:02 pm
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Redwic wrote: | It's amazing how many people get to the crater rim but not to the true summit. |
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Matt Lemke High on the Outdoors
Joined: 15 Jul 2010 Posts: 2052 | TRs | Pics Location: Grand Junction |
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Matt Lemke
High on the Outdoors
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Wed Jun 08, 2016 8:37 am
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Thai food? Ha-ha after a climb that's what you go for?
To each their own I guess lol
Nice photos...I didn't see anything when I was up there
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awilsondc Member
Joined: 03 Apr 2016 Posts: 1324 | TRs | Pics
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Looks like an awesome trip! I got a permit for September, but wish I would have got one for earlier in the season when there would still be snow.
Gimpilator wrote: | the snow was perfect for some long standing glissades. I did get carried away with it however and crashed on a steeper section at high speed. |
lol, been there. I crashed into a tree and lost an MP3 player on Mount Ellinor 7 or 8 years by getting a little out of control with a standing glissade. I've been much more in control since. I hope Jennifer had a good time!
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Brushbuffalo Member
Joined: 17 Sep 2015 Posts: 1887 | TRs | Pics Location: there earlier, here now, somewhere later... Bellingham in between |
Anish wrote: | Success! |
Nice work! Summit sunrises are the best!
There is a ton of speed/endurance represented in this photo.
Passing rocks and trees like they were standing still
Passing rocks and trees like they were standing still
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Anish Member
Joined: 07 Sep 2014 Posts: 79 | TRs | Pics
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Anish
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Thu Jun 09, 2016 9:30 am
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Brushbuffalo wrote: | Nice work! Summit sunrises are the best!
There is a ton of speed/endurance represented in this photo. |
Indeed. And wonderful camaraderie. I'm looking forward to climbing something out in NC with her soon!
"Our way is not soft grass. It's a mountain path with lots of rocks. But it goes upwards, forward, toward the sun." -Ruth Westheimer
"Our way is not soft grass. It's a mountain path with lots of rocks. But it goes upwards, forward, toward the sun." -Ruth Westheimer
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wildernessed viewbagger
Joined: 31 Oct 2004 Posts: 9275 | TRs | Pics Location: Wenatchee |
Nice. Good choice.
Living in the Anthropocene
Living in the Anthropocene
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AR 724
Joined: 22 Aug 2007 Posts: 1514 | TRs | Pics Location: Saratoga Passage |
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AR
724
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Sat Jun 11, 2016 5:24 pm
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...wait...are we just going to hang here or go hiking?
...wait...are we just going to hang here or go hiking?
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