The south side of Mount Saint Helens looks like a liftless ski resort! Photo by Chris Riedener
Trips may be arranged on a private basis for either - or both - of these peaks anytime between February and June.
Mount Adams: South Spur Ski Descent
At 12,276 feet, Mount Adams is the second tallest mountain in the state of Washington. Often overlooked, this mountain has the same brand of beauty and splendor as its towering neighbor, Mount Rainier. And like Rainier, Adams provides a training ground for alpinists and mountaineers to experience altitude as well as to push their limits.
Surrounded by scenic lakes, alpine meadows, fields of wildflowers and rushing rivers, Mount Adams is a massive volcanic peak in a wild and scenic setting. Situated in the eastern portion of the Cascade Range, Adams is located approximately 35 miles east of Mount Saint Helens. This enormous mountain is composed of a series of overlapping cones, which came together to create both the mountain's flat-looking top as well as its massive base.
The South Spur route on Mount Adams is considered to be one of the easiest and safest routes on a Cascade volcano. And with approximately seven thousand feet of vertical relief between the parking lot and the summit, the South Spur makes for an incredible ski mountaineering objective. From the top of the mountain there are a number of descent options. Some skiers reverse their ascent by going back down the South Spur, whereas others will descend the steeper Southwest Chutes or Avalanche Glacier.
You will meet your guide on the first day to complete a through gear check. After the check, we will drive to the mountain's trailhead. It is quite likely that the snow line will be well below that official end of the road at 5,600 feet, so we will park as high as possible. From the car we will ski up to the Lunch Counter camp at 9,400 feet. On the way to camp, there will be ample time to work on track setting and ski technique. Indeed, there will also be a bit of time to do a few short runs around camp. On the third day of the trip, we will make our way up to the mountain's 12,276 foot summit. From there we will drop down and ski over 7000 feet of terrain.
Program Details
Location: Mount Adams, Southern Cascades
Length: 2.5 days
Max Ratio: 5 skiers, 1 guide (5:1)
Prerequisites: Backcountry skiing experience
Primary Goals: Develop the skills necessary for a ski descent of Mount Adams
Cost:
- 1:1 = $1125
- 2:1 = $600 per person
- 3 or more = $425 per person
A skier makes a tele-turn on Mount Saint Helens Photo by Shawn Olson
Mount Saint Helens: Monitor Ridge Ski Descent
On the morning of May 18th, 1980, Mount Saint Helens erupted. Iconic images of the mountain crumbling and of the massive gray mushroom cloud may still be found in documentaries and in textbooks throughout the world. The entire north face of the mountain collapsed in on itself that morning, creating the largest landslide in recorded history and redefining the skyline forever.
Today the mountain is still recovering. Wildlife, plants, flowers and trees populate the flanks of the mountain. A new glacier has formed in the crater. And a lava dome continues to grow producing volume equivalent to a dump-truck load every second. At this rate scientists predict that the mountain could achieve its pre-1980 height of 9,677 feet in less than 200 years.
The remains of the shattered mountain draw more than interested geologists. Over the last decade, Mount Saint Helens has become a major northwest ski mountaineering objective. With nearly four thousand feet of open terrain, the mountain offers an exciting run through the remnants of the mountain's past. Side trips allow views of the surrounding decimated forests.
Our tour of the volcano starts with a meeting the day before the ascent. You'll meet your guide, do a thorough gear check, and then drive to the mountain. We will then camp at the Climber's Bivouac at 3,740 feet. The following day, we will make our way up to the 8,365 foot crater rim. From there we will make a long and engaging run down the flanks of the mountain. This is a truly scenic tour on the remnants of an awesome mountain.
Program Details
Location: Mount Saint Helens, Southern Cascades, WA
Length: 1.5 days
Max Ratio: 5 skiers, 1 guide (5:1)
Prerequisites: Backcountry skiing experience
Primary Goals:Develop the skills necessary for a ski descent of Mount Saint Helens.
Cost:
- 1:1 = $720
- 2:1 = $375 per person
- 3 or more = $275 per person
The Steaming Crater of Mount Saint Helens Photo by Shawn Olson
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