M O U N T   S T .   H E L E N S
N A T I O N A L   V O L C A N I C   M O N U M E N T

Southwestern Washington State

Thursday, July 8, 2004

Monument: #1

Established: 1982

Acres: 110,000

Highlights: Active volcano (eruption potential), mountain climbing, hiking, camping, steam vents.

Location: Mount St. Helens, Washington State

Hours: Open year round.

Fees: $15 - climb to crater rim (falling in - priceless), $5 daily, $30 annual - Northwest Forest Pass

Phone: (360) 274-0962

Link: Official Website

Rating:

(5 max)

As I drive along I notice Mount St. Helens in the distance. Standing at 8,365 feet, she's rather squatty looking now, having shed a good portion of her top so long ago. Within 3 minutes of the eruption, 230 square miles of forest lay flattened. In a Cessna 172, my father and I flew out to the mountain two years ago to see first hand the destruction. Let me tell you, the forest devastation due north of the mountain is just astounding.

A few years ago I scaled the mountain to the crater rim. Here's one of the glaciers I encountered on my way up. Every once in a while someone falls into a glacier crevasse, not a fun experience I can assure you. No only do you get hurt (or killed), you get all sorts of press coverage because they'll have to dispatch a helicopter to medevac you out. And I think the rescue organization now charges for their services (not a public service anymore) so you can add that to your hospital tab as well.

So, some simple advice is in order here. "Stay off the glaciers if you are a novice."